|
| |
The Quagga Mussel wash station is now open for private boats with outboard
motors only. The complete wash down of the boat, motor and trailer or kayaks and
canoes is only $10.00, this does not include the launch fee of $5.00. Only one
wash is required per trip (weekend) as long as the boat stays at Lake Cuyamaca.
A seal will be placed on the boat and trailer or float tubes upon leaving the
lake, and as long as it is intact further washing is not required.
All boats and private motors including car tops, canoes, kayak, float tubes
and waders must be decontaminated before launch and launch fees will be paid on
all except float tubes. Decontamination of private motors, float tubes and
waders is only $5.00. Please inform the Tackle Shop Ranger.
This may seem extreme but Lake Hodges now has the Quagga Mussel and it is not
on Colorado River water. Inboard out-drives will be allowed when a system flush
is installed. Lake Cuyamaca is not responsible for any damage caused by wash
down due to defects that may or may not be visible. for more information call
the lake.
Why is this a concern?
If allowed to spread, Quagga mussels will ruin a fishery by destroying the
food base of a reservoir because they eat the tiny organisms that fry and tiny
bait fish rely on to live.
That in itself is a huge worry, but there's another reason fishermen are
concerned. Access always is an issue at local lakes, particularly San Diego city
lakes, and the big fear is that water managers will use this Quagga mussel
threat to close lakes to recreation.
Who needs to do this?
Anyone who has been in an infected Water Source, The Colorado River
and ALL of it's Lakes, Otay, San Vicente and Dixon Lake. If you Have any doubt,
Clean everything before you come to Lake Cuyamaca.
Thoroughly inspect the boat, trailer and all equipment for mud, plants and
mussels.
Completely remove these contaminants. In addition to looking – inspect by gently
running your hand along the entire surface of the equipment. Take time and
carefully feel for juvenile mussels; when you locate them, it will feel like
sandpaper.
- Boat: Entire hull, Trim tabs: top & bottom of hinges,
Thru-hull fittings, Transducers, Pitot tube, Cavitation Plates, Ropes & Lines,
Anchors, Depth sounders, Water intakes, Water outlets, Live Wells, bilges, and
Lights.
Completely drain all water from the motor cooling system. Some motors, like
outboards, drain freely and easily. Other motors, like some inboards and
stern-drives, can only be drained using special equipment and procedures.
Follow the motor manufacturers instructions or obtain the services of a
qualified service technician. This is exactly the same as draining the motor
at the end of boating season to prevent freezing in the engine cooling system.
Failure to do this can result in mussels growing inside the engine block and
in the lines carrying cooling water to and from the motor. The consequences
can be overheating, resulting in serious damage to the motor, in addition to
transporting the mussels.
- Trailers: Trailer frame, Rollers & bunks, License plate,
Lights, Wiring, Axles Springs, Fenders, Hangers, Pockets & hollow spaces,
Trailer tires & wheels.
- Tow Vehicles: Any place that may have entered and held
water, Inside of bumpers, Mud Flaps, License Plate, Spare tire, hitch tube and
frame, inside wheel wells, Safety Chains or any other cavity.
- Personal Gear: Including, but not limited to: Float Tubes,
Waders and Swim Fins (Fishing waders are a proven means of spreading invasive
species. Everything from whirling disease to mud snails to Quagga and zebra
mussels are transported by waders. Fishermen tromp in ideal habitat and
readily pick up these creatures. First, separate all individual components
such as insoles, socks, booties, ankle guards, and laces. Then wash everything
inside and out to remove dirt, plants and other visible substances. Be sure
the treads are completely clean.)
- Fishing Gear: Rods, Reels, Line, Fish and Bait Baskets, Pole
Holders.
How to Clean and Remove the Pests
 | Completely wash with a pressurized power sprayer using water of 140°F or
hotter. Contact with water at this temperature will kill Quagga and zebra
mussel juveniles and larvae in a few seconds. Qualified mussel researchers
have established 104°F will work. However, hotter water works better and
temperatures of 140°F and higher are common for the many power sprayers
available. |
| Completely spray the entire exterior of the craft and the trailer. Perform
the wash slowly and carefully. The idea is to “cook ‘em” with heat and “remove
‘em” with the pressurized water. Spray all small nooks and crannies where
mussel larvae may be lodged. |
| Be careful not to remove decals, paint or labels from the boat while
spraying. |
| An effective mussel-killing solution is two gallons of a 200 parts per
million
 (ppm)
solution of potassium chloride (KCL). Despite the fact that it will kill
mussels, this solution is harmless to humans and to the environment. It also
has extremely low corrosion characteristics and has been used in the oil well
drilling industry for decades due to these characteristics. A chloride
concentration of 250 ppm is allowable for drinking water and the solution is
below that level. Potassium chloride salt crystals are used in water softener
systems; people drink and bath in such water. That is far below possible
environmental harm. In fact, KCL solution was used in Virginia to completely
kill all zebra mussels in a quarry. “In dramatic contrast, other aquatic
wildlife including turtles, fishes, aquatic insects, and snails continue to
thrive in the quarry.” Potassium chloride (KCL) solutions in concentrations of
200 ppm can be made by thoroughly mixing one teaspoon of dry KCL salt crystals
in two gallons of water. KCL salt crystals are available at stores such as
Home Depot and water softener suppliers. Morton Salt Company offers KCL in
40-pound bags. This mixture can be put in a 2 gallon pump sprayer for use on
boat and trailer. This mixture can also be used to clean Ropes, lines, cords,
nets and waders. |
Another Approach is a Mild Bleach Solution.
| Jim Putney of the San Diego Bassmasters said that their list is based on a
discussion he had with fisheries boss Terry Foreman of the California
Department of Fish and Game in Sacramento. |
| Every boat owner should take steps to clean his boat, live-wells, trailers
and engine cooling systems after each use, local or at the Colorado River. |
| Before your next outing, remove all drain plugs, bilges and live-wells and
let them sit for at least 24 hours. Make sure there is no grass on your boat,
engine or trailer. |
| Clean live-wells with a mild bleach solution. With the live-well still
half full, run your aerator pumps for at least one minute. After this, run
your pump out for at least one minute to run the bleach-water solution though
this system. Finally, remove your live-well plugs and allow to drain. |
| Allow to dry for at least 24 hours before heading out again. |
| Clean your entire trailer with a mild soap-bleach and water solution. |
| Completely flush your cooling system, inboard or outboard, for five
minutes after each use. |
| When leaving your fishing spot, open all drain plugs and live-wells. |
| Drain your engine cooling system, remove any grass or growth from engine,
boat and trailer. |
| Wipe down your boat. |
| Open live-wells during transit if possible, especially at the inspection
stations entering or leaving California. |
Using a power sprayer carwash, even one with hot water, is NOT adequate.
One of the largest expenses in that business is energy to heat the water,
regardless of the fuel used. Thus, there inconsiderable incentive to maximize
profits by minimizing water heating. Some carwashes do not have any water
heaters and only provide cold water washes. There is no assurance that carwashes
use water of at least 104°F. Live mussel juveniles and larvae could be washed
into storm drains that empty into the nearest stream. In addition to not
cleaning the boat, this would spread mussels into waterways and reservoirs. This
situation indicates using carwashes to control mussels is not advised.
A tri-fold flier PDF is available, if you need it personalized for your lake
email Willard Lepley at Lake Cuyamaca.
Tri-fold front page
Click Here Tri-fold inside page
Click Here
Thanks to:
100th Meridian
California Department of Fish and Game
Ed Zieralski San Diego UNION-TRIBUNE
Protect
Your Waters
San Diego Bassmasters
|
