MARYSVILLE, Calif. (Aug. 11, 2025) – A new watercraft screening pilot program is set to begin Aug. 18 at New Bullards Bar Reservoir in Yuba County to help prevent the spread of the invasive golden mussel to the Yuba River watershed. Screenings are mandatory for all motorized vessels.
“We want to emphasize that this is a pilot program, a first phase to collect information specific to Bullards Bar and learn what approaches will be most effective here in the future,” said Yuba Water Agency Senior Environmental Specialist Jessica Nichols. “Our goal is to implement preventative measures that are practical, protect our reservoir and allow continued recreational access.”
Screening hours and requirements
Screenings are free and will take place daily from 6 a.m. to dusk on a first come, first served basis at the Cottage Creek and Dark Day boat launches. Each screening will take about five minutes and will check for visible signs of mussels, aquatic vegetation, mud, standing water or other risk factors such as recent use in infested waterways. Boats with visible mussels, excessive standing water, unknown mud or aquatic debris or recent use in infested waters will not be allowed to launch.
To avoid launch denial, boaters should follow these steps before arriving at Bullards Bar:
- Clean all aquatic plants, mud and debris from their watercraft, trailer and equipment.
- Drain the bilge, live wells, ballast tanks and other water-containing areas.
- Dry all areas where water can collect, including the bilge, hull and compartments.
All screening data will be logged in a regional database. During the initial phase of this pilot program, vessels will not be tagged, sealed or banded. Tags from other reservoirs may expedite the screening but will not exempt watercraft from inspection.
Commercially transported houseboats must be professionally decontaminated, provide proof of decontamination prior to launch and schedule an inspection with Yuba Water prior to arrival. There are no decontamination services available at New Bullards Bar at this time, though a list of nearby professional decontamination services is available on Yuba Water’s website.
Launches will close daily at 9 p.m. Boaters should arrive during screening hours and plan to be off the water by 9 p.m. Yuba Water is working with Emerald Cove Marina and the U.S. Forest Service to notify visitors and those with reservations of the upcoming changes.
Protecting the Yuba River watershed from golden mussels
First detected in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in fall 2024, the golden mussel poses a serious ecological and economic threat to California waterways, including the Yuba River watershed.
“We recognize that this is a big change and will be an inconvenience for many of our regulars,” said Yuba Water General Manager Willie Whittlesey. “But until we know for certain whether golden mussels can survive in the conditions at Bullards Bar, screenings are a necessary precaution. We’re very grateful for everyone’s patience and cooperation as we work through this together.”
Owned and operated by Yuba Water Agency, New Bullards Bar Reservoir is the cornerstone of a larger, multi-benefit project to reduce the risk of catastrophic flooding, provide a reliable water supply for Yuba County and generate clean hydropower for California. Protecting the reservoir from invasive species like the golden mussel is essential to maintaining these core functions and ensuring continued public access and recreational opportunities.
More information on Yuba Water’s Invasive Mussel Prevention Program is available at yubawater.org/invasives.