New Melones Lake Marina will soon be offering a vessel decontamination program, to allow launching at New Melones Lake
How to schedule a watercraft decontamination
Decontaminations are by appointment only. No walk-ins allowed
Boat Launching Protocols
USBR has implemented new protocols for boat launching at New Melones Lake. For more information regarding the protocols, please click here.
Any vessel wishing to launch must be inspected, logged into the WID system and a RED quarantine seal shall be applied for 30 days, and the vessel will not be permitted to launch at that time. The seal must remain intact, and the vessel will not have been launched in any other waterbody during the quarantine period.
Vessels that have finished the 30-day quarantine may return to the lake and have the seal removed by authorized staff (e.g. USBR) and will be allowed to launch.
Any vessel wishing to launch sooner than the required 30-day quarantine period must have a hot-water decontamination performed by an approved entity. These vessels are allowed to launch immediately following decontamination. Should a vessel be decontaminated at another facility or by another entity, that decontamination will not be valid unless a seal is applied to the vessel and documentation is provided.
Upon exit from the Lake, all vessels must have a GREEN seal attached by authorized staff to be allowed to freely launch at New Melones Lake. Otherwise, the vessel will need to undergo another quarantine period or decontamination.
Hand launched watercraft with electric motors like fishing kayaks, require an inspection prior to launch. Non-motorized watercraft, such as kayaks and paddleboards, are not subject to inspection, are encouraged to be inspected for free at any watercraft inspection station, or if you are instructed to do so by trained staff at launch locations. All paddlers are encouraged to arrive Clean, Drained, and Dry.
The golden mussel was recently identified in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and is the first known occurrence of these invasive species in North America. This species poses a significant and immediate threat to the ecological health of New Melones Lake, the Delta and all waters of the state, water conveyance systems, infrastructure, and water quality.
For questions about this new protocol and vessel decontamination, contact: [email protected]
FAQs
What is the quarantine period?
The Bureau of Reclamation is enforcing a 30-Day vessel quarantine. A red locking tag is placed on the boat and trailer to prevent launching at other bodies of water. After the 30 day period has passed, you may return to the launch ramp where the rangers will allow you to launch. Upon removing the vessel from the lake, a green tag will be placed on the boat and trailer.
Will the decontamination harm my boat?
The hot water from our decontamination station will not harm your boat or engine.
When will you start taking reservations.
We will start taking reservations before summer. An exact date is not known at this time.
Does New Melones Lake have mussels?
New Melones Lake is mussel free!
Why do I have to install a seal on my watercraft?
The best way to keep New Melones Lake mussel free is to ensure each boat entering the water does not pose a risk of harboring mussels. This is done through applying a custody seal connecting the boat to the trailer. The seals can be applied by USBR Rangers employees. The red seals indicate the watercraft is undergoing the mandatory quarantine prior to launching at New Melones Lake. After 30 days, these watercrafts are free to launch and can have a green seal applied at the launch ramp when they leave the lake. The green watercraft seals are intended to identify boats who last launched at New Melones Lake that are mussel free, eliminating the need for future quarantine.
What vessels require a 30-day quarantine or hot water decontamination?
Any motorized watercraft will be required to be clean, drained, and dry. Vessels that have an electric motor will require either a 30-day quarantine or a hot-water decontamination (pleasure boats, pontoon boats, fishing boats, bass boats, wakeboards, ski boats, jet boats, pleasure boats, and jet skis). Canoes or kayaks with motors will be asked to be inspected and be cleaned, drained, and dry.
Why do I need a red 30-day quarantine seal?
Due to the presence of golden mussels in the Delta, RED seals are required for any vessel wishing to enter New Melones Lake, regardless of the watercraft history.
After 30 days, the watercraft quarantine period will be lifted, and the watercraft will be allowed to launch into New Melones Lake. When the watercraft leaves the lake, please stop at the Glory Hole boat launch and a GREEN seal will be applied to the watercraft.
Red seals can be placed on your vessel by USBR employees at Glory Hole launch ramp between the hours of 8a-4p, 7 days a week.
If I get a red seal placed on my vessel at another lake, will it be accepted at New Melones Lake?
If your watercraft has received a RED seal from another lake and is currently under a 30-day quarantine, it will not be allowed to launch at New Melones Lake. However, if a RED seal is applied at another lake and the 30-day quarantine is over, the Watercraft will be allowed to launch as long as the following criteria are met:
- The watercraft information has been added to the Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination (WID) database. Many lakes applying seals use this system.
How to get a green seal after 30-day quarantine?
When you have concluded your 30-day quarantine, you may launch at Glory Hole launch ramp at New Melones Lake with a RED seal still attached to your boat. A USBR staff member will be able to remove that seal and the watercraft will be allowed to launch and replaced with GREEN seal on your watercraft upon departure from New Melones Lake.
Please note that to receive the GREEN seal, your boat must depart the lake during regular USBR hours, 8a-4p, 7 days a week. Please depart the lake with enough time to receive your green seal.
What happens if I depart the lake after USBR hours?
In order to receive a GREEN seal upon departure from the lake, it must be during the normal business hours of the launch ramp facility. Unfortunately, if the facility is closed when the watercraft is leaving the lake, the watercraft will not be able to receive a GREEN seal and the 30-day quarantine process will start over, or a decontamination will be required to bypass the 30-day quarantine.
How long does the decontamination process take?
The decontamination process takes approximately one hour, time will be dependent on the size of the vessel. Please show up on time for your decontamination appointment.