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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 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 upon leaving the lake, and as long as it is intact further washing is not required.
All boats including car tops, canoes, kayaks and float tubes must be inspected before launch and launch fees will be payed on all except float tubes. Lake Cuyamaca is not responsible any damage caused by wash down due to defects that may or may not be visible. for more information call the lake. Inboard outdrives will be allowed when a system flush is installed
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. Who needs to do this? Thoroughly inspect the boat, trailer and all equipment for mud, plants and mussels.
1. 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.
2.Trailers: Trailer frame, Rollers & bunks, License plate, Lights, Wiring,
Axles Springs, Fenders, Hangers,Pockets & hollow spaces, Trailer tires & wheels.
3. 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.
4. 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.)
4. 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. 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.. 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 isconsiderable 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 Contact Willard Lepley at Lake Cuyamaca.
willard@lakecuyamaca.org
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15027 Highway 79 • (619) 447-8123 • (760) 765-0515
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.
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.
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.
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.
• 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.
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.
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100th Meridian
California Department of Fish and Game
Ed Zieralski San Diego UNION-TRIBUNE
Protect Your Waters
San Diego Bassmasters
Fax (760) 765-1749 • Toll Free (877) 581-9904
Website www.lakecuyamaca.org • E-Mail georgia@lakecuyamaca.org