The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board will now require mandatory decontaminations for all visiting motorized watercraft entering Lake Tahoe, it ruled on March 26, 2025, to prevent the invasive golden mussel from entering the lake. The TRPA Governing Board also approved an updated fee structure to support the additional services.
The move was made to protect Lake Tahoe from invasive golden mussels, a new aquatic invasive species discovered for the first time in North America in October 2024 in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta of California, according to a press release. Golden mussels are not in Lake Tahoe.
The main change for motorized boaters traveling from other areas will be a watercraft decontamination following the mandatory inspection. Boats that were launched last in Lake Tahoe and have a Tahoe security seal can launch again without reinspection.
“Boaters and paddlers have a key role in protecting the waters they enjoy,” said Dennis Zabaglo, aquatic invasive species program manager for TRPA, in the release. “Golden mussels are a greater threat to Tahoe than other aquatic invasive species. We appreciate the support of boaters and will continue working to keep the lake safe and accessible to all.”
Since its discovery in Stockton, Calif., the golden mussel has been detected almost as far south as Bakersfield through connected water systems. To keep the risk to Lake Tahoe as low as possible, all motorized watercraft from other waterbodies will be decontaminated, which will increase the cost to operate the program.
The TRPA Governing Board approved a minimum decontamination fee of $30 for all visiting motorized watercraft needing an inspection to address the cost of increased decontaminations.
“These strengthened procedures are necessary to preserve Tahoe’s waters,” said Hayley Williamson, chair of the TRPA Governing Board, in the release. “The introduction of golden mussels would be devastating to the lake, and the Watercraft Inspection Program is our frontline defense.”
About Golden Mussels
The golden mussel is likened to quagga mussels, an invasive species that the Lake Tahoe inspection program has successfully kept out of Lake Tahoe since beginning in 2008. Like quagga mussels, golden mussels can encrust boats, piers, rocks and pipes. Golden mussels can also tolerate a broader range of habitats and can reproduce faster, making them more of a threat. If introduced, golden mussels could irreversibly harm Lake Tahoe’s recreation, water quality, and native ecosystem.
Areas outside the Tahoe Region have responded to the threat with temporary waterbody closures and 30-day quarantine periods. Invasive species prevention programs throughout the western United States are rapidly assessing protocols to limit the spread outside of California.
