Starting Monday, May 19, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) will require mandatory watercraft inspections at the Oroville Facilities to combat the invasive golden mussel. The inspections aim to protect the State Water Project (SWP) infrastructure. Watercraft inspections will take place at the North Thermalito Forebay. The inspections are crucial for maintaining the SWP, which serves 27 million Californians and supports 750,000 acres of farmland annually. DWR emphasizes the need to preserve local recreation and will not close the reservoir. Lake Oroville will remain open, and DWR encourages early inspections to avoid Memorial Day congestion. The inspection program will require all trailered vessels and personal watercraft to have a blue Oroville launch seal. This seal ensures that the watercraft has not been in infested waters since inspection.

Other golden mussels news:

• Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District: News release: Stop the spread of golden mussels