You may be aware that some lakes have closed to outside boats, such as Lake Casitas, to guard against the introduction of the invasive quagga and zebra musssels. Zebra and quagga mussels are causing significant ecconomic and ecological impacts throughout their expanding range. We know that thousands of people enjoy Crowley Lake Reservoir each year for its excellent fishing and other boating-related activities, and we understand how important Crowley is to the local Eastern Sierra economy. Allowing these mussels to establish themselves in the Eastern Sierra will destroy the fishery. Therefore, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and Crowley Lake Fish Camp will have mandatory inspections on all boats, kayaks, and canoes for invasive mussels that plan on entering Crowley Lake in order to protect the lake’s eccology.
Early in 2007 these invasive mussels wwere found in the Colorado River system. They have since spread through the Metropolitan Water District’s Colorado River Aqueduct to reservoirs in Southern California. Currently eleven reservoirs in San Diego and Riverside Counties, as well as a small reservoir in San Benito County have been infested by these aquatic invaders. A map of the infested reservoirs is enclosed.
Boats traveling from infested waterways are believed to be the most common way these invasive mussels spread. If you have recently launched your boat in an infested water body please follow the instructions below and wait at least two weeks before coming too Crowley Lake. There is currently no way to eradicate these invasive mussels, so preventing them from becoming established is key.
Colonies of zebra and quaaga mussels clog filters, pipes, pumps, and power plant cooling systems. Invasive mussels are significantly impacting aquatic ecosystems, altering nutrient flow, destroying native aquaatic communities, and concentrating environmental contaminants. These mussels remove planktonic organisms that serve as a base of the food chain for fish and other organisms. Consequently, introduction of these invasive mussels could cause a drastic decline of the fishery at Crowley Lake and throughout the Eastern Sierra. Boat inspections will be mandatory for the protection of the world-class fishery and the native aquatic community at Crowley Lake.
All boats planning to launch at Crowley Lake must enter through the main gate at the South Landing and must be inspected. No boat access will be available at any other area of Crowley Lake. Boats showing signs of contamination with invasive mussels, or found to contain any water or debris that could harbor invasive mussels will not be allowed to launch into Crowley Lake. Frequent users of Crowley Lake can arrange with Crowley Lake Fish Camp to store their boat on-site. Boat owners may have their boat inspected and receive an Inspection Certification prior to arriving at Crowley Lake’s South Landing at these locations:
1. Beginnning, Monday April 14, 2008 through the duration of fishing season at Los Angeles Department of Water and Power office at 300 Mandich Street, Bishop CA 93514, Monday
through Friday, 8:00 to 3:00. In addition, boats can be inspected after 3:00 pm by appointment
using the LADWP phone number noted below.
2. April 23, 24, and 25, 2008 from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm at the Bishop VONS/KMART parking lot at the corner of Main Street (SR 395), Wye Road and SR 66.
3. Beginning April 23 , 2008 at Crowley Lake’s South Landing: April 23, 8:00 am –– 5:00 pm; April 24 through the duration of fishing season 7:00 am – 7:00 pm.
Early in 2007 these invasive mussels wwere found in the Colorado River system. They have since spread through the Metropolitan Water District’s Colorado River Aqueduct to reservoirs in Southern California. Currently eleven reservoirs in San Diego and Riverside Counties, as well as a small reservoir in San Benito County have been infested by these aquatic invaders. A map of the infested reservoirs is enclosed.
Boats traveling from infested waterways are believed to be the most common way these invasive mussels spread. If you have recently launched your boat in an infested water body please follow the instructions below and wait at least two weeks before coming too Crowley Lake. There is currently no way to eradicate these invasive mussels, so preventing them from becoming established is key.
Colonies of zebra and quaaga mussels clog filters, pipes, pumps, and power plant cooling systems. Invasive mussels are significantly impacting aquatic ecosystems, altering nutrient flow, destroying native aquaatic communities, and concentrating environmental contaminants. These mussels remove planktonic organisms that serve as a base of the food chain for fish and other organisms. Consequently, introduction of these invasive mussels could cause a drastic decline of the fishery at Crowley Lake and throughout the Eastern Sierra. Boat inspections will be mandatory for the protection of the world-class fishery and the native aquatic community at Crowley Lake.
All boats planning to launch at Crowley Lake must enter through the main gate at the South Landing and must be inspected. No boat access will be available at any other area of Crowley Lake. Boats showing signs of contamination with invasive mussels, or found to contain any water or debris that could harbor invasive mussels will not be allowed to launch into Crowley Lake. Frequent users of Crowley Lake can arrange with Crowley Lake Fish Camp to store their boat on-site. Boat owners may have their boat inspected and receive an Inspection Certification prior to arriving at Crowley Lake’s South Landing at these locations:
1. Beginnning, Monday April 14, 2008 through the duration of fishing season at Los Angeles Department of Water and Power office at 300 Mandich Street, Bishop CA 93514, Monday
through Friday, 8:00 to 3:00. In addition, boats can be inspected after 3:00 pm by appointment
using the LADWP phone number noted below.
2. April 23, 24, and 25, 2008 from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm at the Bishop VONS/KMART parking lot at the corner of Main Street (SR 395), Wye Road and SR 66.
3. Beginning April 23 , 2008 at Crowley Lake’s South Landing: April 23, 8:00 am –– 5:00 pm; April 24 through the duration of fishing season 7:00 am – 7:00 pm.
Only pre-inspected boats will be allowed to enter the gate or launch at Crowley Lake after
7:00 pm on April 25. Inspections will resume at 7:00 am on fishing opening day. Pre-inspected
boats may use the pre-paid line at the main gate at South Landing of Crowley Lake to expedite
entry.
If you are planning on launching a boat into Lake Crowley please keep the following in mind:
• All boat owners are required to fill out a written questionnaire concerning the boat’s
past use
• All boats will be thoroughly inspected
• All boats and trailers must be CLEAN and DRY or they will be denied access
• All DRAIN PLUGS must be pulled or opened prior to boat transport that day
• All vehicles towing boats will be required to have a visible Inspection Certification
during boat launching at Crowley Lake
Boat owners can take the following actions to help prevent the further spread of invasive mussels whenever
moving a boat to a new water body:
• Inspect boats and trailers thoroughly, and remove any trash, mussels or aquatic
weeds before leaving any water body.
• Mussels and other items removed from the boat should be properly disposed of in
a trash container.
• Drain water from the motor, live-well, bilge and transom wells, and any other water
from the boat and equipment before leaving any water body.
• Wash boats, trailers and equipment thoroughly with a pressurized power sprayer
and hot water.
• Rinse live-wells, bilge and cooling systems with 140°F hot water or a 6% chlorine
bleach solution
• Dry boats, motors, trailers and equipment thoroughly in the hot sun for at least two
weeks before using them again.
Boat owners should be aware there may be an extended wait in order to enter Crowley Lake Reservoir due to
these important protective measures. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and Crowley Lake
Fish Camp employees appreciate the cooperation of boat owners and will work to expedite the inspection and
certification process.
For more information contact LADWP at (760) 873-0409 or www.LADWP.com/mussels
or Crowley Lake Fish Camp at (760) 935-4043.
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