Invasive Golden Mussels Found In Lake Del Valle; Boat Quarantine In Effect

LIVERMORE, CA — Invasive golden mussels have been detected at Lake Del Valle in Livermore, leading to restrictions on watercraft, the East Bay Regional Park District announced.

Effective immediately, watercraft launched at Lake Del Valle cannot launch at another body of water managed by the park district for 30 days. Boaters who only use Lake Del Valle may return there during that period if their boats have intact Del Valle boat bands, but the band does not allow them to launch at another Park District lake during the 30-day quarantine.

The park district has used the lake-specific bands since summer 2025 in order to prevent the introduction of golden mussels, a non-native and highly invasive species. The mussels attach to boats and gear, clog water pipes and equipment, and disrupt aquatic ecosystems. They can also survive in water with lower calcium levels than some other invasive mussels, so local lakes may be vulnerable.

Watercraft without a Park District boat band are subject to inspection for the presence of quagga, zebra, and golden mussels. Inspection fees are $10 for motorized vessels and $5 for car-top watercraft and inflatables. Boats, kayaks, canoes, sailboats, inflatable craft, and any type of floating board must be inspected at the following locations:

• Contra Loma Regional Park
• Del Valle Regional Park
• Lake Chabot Regional Park
• Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area
• Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area

To prevent the spread of mussels, boaters are asked to inspect their boats, life vests, paddles, and anything else that touched the water each time it leaves the water. Boaters should remove and dispose of all debris, animals, and plants. All water should be drained from ballasts, bilges, and live wells, and all equipment should dry completely before entering another body of water.

See here for more information.