All watercraft must be cleaned, drained, and completely dried prior to being launched at Whiskeytown, Shasta, Trinity, and Lewiston Lakes.
Boat motor infested with golden mussel. California Department of Fish & Wildlife photo.
Golden Mussels: Please Help Us Keep Our Local Reservoirs Free of this Emerging Threat
Note: It is against federal and state law to transport invasive mussels between water bodies.
Before Launching Your Boat on Whiskeytown Lake...
Prior to launching on North State reservoirs, please ensure your boat does not threaten Whiskeytown, Shasta, Trinity, and Lewiston Lakes with invasive mussels by meeting one of the following three options:
Your boat was not used in counties or waterbodies with known Golden Mussel Infestations. If your boat was used in any other waterbody outside of Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area, your boat and trailer has been washed, drained, flushed, and allowed to completely dry for at least 5 days
Your boat has been used in a county or waterbody with Golden Mussel infestations, but your boat and trailer has been washed, drained, flushed, and allowed to completely dry for at least 30 days.
Your boat was professionally decontaminated at an approved Mussel Decontamination Station (go to bottom of page for listing of closest Decontamination Stations to Whiskeytown).
Background on Golden Mussels
In October 2024 the highly invasive golden mussel was documented near the Port of Stockton in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. This is the first documented case of this exotic mollusk in North America and the introduction was likely a result of ballast water from shipping being discharged into the Delta. The golden mussel is native to Asia and since being introduced has spread throughout much of the Delta as well as south into the O’Neill Forebay, the San Luis Reservoir, and waters associated with the California Aqueduct.
The potential impacts to water infrastructure, boats, beaches, and aquatic ecosystems is severe; this organism can grow in dense colonies containing as many as 80,000 to 200,000 organisms per square meter. These dense colonies can clog water pipes, encrust beaches with sharp shells, plug water intakes on boats, impede power plant operation, and filter out large quantities of microscopic animals and plants that fish and other species depend on for food.
This threat is new but similar to the threat posed by quagga and zebra mussels in many areas of the nation. However, the primary difference between golden mussels and other aquatic invasive species (such as quagga/zebra mussels) is th golden mussel's ability to tolerate a wider range of ecological conditions, namely very low calcium levels as well as having the ability to tolerate brackish waters. This is an immediate threat locally as all indicators point to this species being able to readily colonize Whiskeytown and other north state reservoirs if introduced.
You can do your part to keep our reservoirs from being infested with these mussels by following the state’s “clean, drain and dry” practices whenever you move boats, kayaks, or fishing equipment between water bodies.All watercraft must be cleaned, drained, and completely dried prior to being launched at Whiskeytown, Shasta, Trinity, and Lewiston Lakes. You should also clean, drain and start to dry your vessel in the parking lot upon trailering your vessel. The primary way that these organisms are able to move between water bodies is through direct transfer of adult mussels or from the microscopic veligers that live within the water prior to settling and developing into adult mussels. Expect to see National Park Service and partner staff inspecting boats at our public launch ramps this summer. Please help us keep your North State reservoirs free of this emerging threat. Thank you for recreating responsibly.
Nearest Decontamination Stations to Whiskeytown Lake
You can save time at Whiskeytown's boat launches by self certifying your boat. Click on this link, print out and complete the form, and then bring it with you to Whiskeytown, Shasta, Trinity, and/or Lewiston lakes.
Watch, Listen, & Sing this Song
In May 2025, Whiskeytown Artist-in-Residence Nathan Frederic wrote and debuted this song to encourage all boaters to fully clean, drain, and dry their boats. We hope you enjoy this original Whiskeytown song!
For More Information
For more information on this evolving threat, visit the California Department of Fish & Wildlife's Golden Mussel webpage: California’s Invaders: Golden Mussel.
For questions regarding golden mussel prevention at Whiskeytown Lake, email us at whis_information@nps.gov or head to the Whiskeytown Visitor Center, open daily 9am to 5pm.
Thank you for doing your part to keep Whiskeytown Lake clean and free of invasive mussels.
