Boaters in Stanislaus County and beyond can join the battle against a new invasive creature.
The golden mussel can disrupt native wildlife and clog water infrastructure and boat engines, state officials said. It was first detected near the Port of Stockton in December. Most other sightings also have been in or near the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, but one was as far south as Kings County.
Stanislaus had zero detections as of Thursday, April 10, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife . But the threat has prompted the county to suspend boating at Woodward Reservoir, fed by the Stanislaus River north of Oakdale. At Modesto Reservoir, the other site under county management, boaters must certify that they are mussel-free.
A statewide campaign urges owners to wash down their vessels upon returning home. They also should drain any lake water that remains, let the surfaces fully dry and wait 30 days before boating again. The advice applies to canoes, fishing craft, water-ski boats and anything else in streams and lakes…