No Boating Santa Clara County

rexford · Post by **rexford** » Wed May 14, 2008 5:15 am

Water officials took the unprecedented step Tuesday of banning boating in all Santa Clara County reservoirs - at least until May 23.

Citing the need to protect the local water supply from invasive shellfish that have hitchhiked to California on the bottoms of boats, they have barred all watercraft including canoes, kayaks, water bikes, motorboats and fishing boats.

The ban is expected to be temporary. Water and county officials are exploring a plan to reopen the reservoirs - possibly by Memorial Day weekend. But that idea remains controversial and far from certain: It calls for closing about half of the reservoirs to boaters and starting mandatory watercraft inspections at the rest.

And with an estimated $550,000 price tag to perform inspections to the end of the year, both the water district and county are waffling at paying for them. Officials are considering charging users at least $7 for inspections.

The news, coming at the beginning of a heat wave expected to run through Friday, disappointed some residents.

"It means I'm not going to be able to water ski for the next two weeks," said a glum Jeff Bense, president of the Santa Clara County Water Ski Club. If the prohibition on personal watercraft runs longer, "I'll put my boat up for sale," he said.

The ban came after months of planning and more than two hours of heated debate Tuesday, narrowly winning a 4-3 vote by the Santa Clara Valley Water District's board
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of directors.

It represents "the first time we've ever had an all-out ban on boating in our county reservoirs," said Tamara Clark-Shear, spokeswoman for Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department.

"When temperatures start to rise, we get a lot more people who like to recreate on the water to take a break from the heat," she said. "They won't be able to do that in our reservoirs."

Blame it on the lowly zebra and quagga mussels, two invasive species that can clog reservoir pipelines, valves and pumps.

In the Great Lakes region, where both types of mussels have proliferated, water agencies have spent millions of dollars in an effort to control them. But the mussels quickly multiply, forming thick blankets over the infrastructure of water systems. They are all but impossible to eradicate.

"It's like cancer. It can really wreak havoc on a water system," said Lisa Killough, director of the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department.

Water officials anticipated the mussels would be a problem they would have to tackle one day.

Quagga mussels have been sighted throughout Southern California reservoirs. But in January, zebra mussels were found in the San Justo Reservoir in San Benito County - the first time that species was found west of the Rocky Mountains. That reservoir was immediately made off limits to boaters.

"That really was a wake-up call," said Susan Siravo, a spokeswoman for the Santa Clara Valley Water District. "The situation became much more urgent."

Recognizing that the mussels can attach rather inconspicuously to boats and then detach when introduced into a new body of water, several water officials said Tuesday they couldn't put recreational boaters ahead of local water users. After all, water consumers could ultimately have to pay to replace pipes and valves clogged with the mussels.

Current plans call for reopening just four of the county's 10 reservoirs to boaters: Anderson, Calero, Coyote and Stevens Creek. Inspections could cost $7 apiece, although that number could easily rise, board members said Tuesday.

But as it is, water officials made no firm promise that they would allow kayaks, canoes or water ski boats on their reservoirs ever again.

"Quite frankly, our No. 1 priority is water supply," said Rosemary Kamei, chairwoman of the water board. "It always has been."

Contact Julie Sevrens Lyons at jlyons@mercurynews.com or (408) 920-5989.

Iafrate94505 · Post by **Iafrate94505** » Wed May 14, 2008 6:41 am

close the lakes and ruin the levee's.

WTG........

Bill K · Post by **Bill K** » Wed May 14, 2008 7:17 am

Tell me, Water board, how a watercraft that has never been out of state, in other waters i.e. ocean, etc. that have no mussels can bring into your water a object you do not like and want to regulate? Makes you wonder where their minds are. Surely no common sense. All they can think of is money, money. BIll K

mac (Doyle McEwen) · Post by **mac (Doyle McEwen)** » Wed May 14, 2008 7:34 am

I truly enjoyed the part about the missels being found in San Justo and it being the first time they were discovered west of the Rocky Mountains..That is after the line above that said they were in Southern California..I'll bet those SoCal people are just thrilled about not being west of the Rockies..I know I would be..

mac

Tin Can · Post by **Tin Can** » Wed May 14, 2008 7:41 am

mac (Doyle McEwen) wrote:I truly enjoyed the part about the missels being found in San Justo and it being the first time they were discovered west of the Rocky Mountains..That is after the line above that said they were in Southern California..I'll bet those SoCal people are just thrilled about not being west of the Rockies..I know I would be..

mac

So Cal has Quagga mussles, San Justo has Zebra Mussels. Two different creatures.

Tin Can · Post by **Tin Can** » Wed May 14, 2008 7:48 am

This whole thing just pisses me off. Santa Clara sat on their *** and did nothing until now and then they just up and close the lakes. These damn things were found in San Justo MONTHS ago. They had plenty of time to figure out how to go about this without closing the lakes. They should have had an inspection process set up and in action by now.

These things have basically ruined bass fishing for me. I guess I'll be looking for an Ocean boat now.

Marone · Post by **Marone** » Wed May 14, 2008 8:24 am

Back when 9/11 happened, Santa Clara County instructed us that we could no longer fish some of our lakes after hours to avoid someone sabotaging our water system? (Calero, Anderson, and a few others. After hours being 7:45pm!)

Now, after paying 135.00 for a venture pass to grant me launch and parking for one year, I have to pay an additional 7.00 to get my boat inspected each time I go to the water?

Santa Clara County Water district sucks, most of the Rangers are a##holes too (Except Kevin Campbell, 4th place finisher in the last FTP at the Delta). I got yelled at once for waiting at the gate for launch. By the way, our gates do not open until 8:00am. (Coyote being the only place you can launch early) Man, we have had a constant struggle with the Santa Clara Water District.

Who knows, maybe they'll start inspecting lures as well. Then ban fishing. You know what, I would not be surprised.

Looking at the bright side of things, it is more motivation to hit the delta and explore other water in the area (LBC Res!!).

SCREW YOU SANTA CLARA COUNTY WATER DISTRICT!

Tin Can · Post by **Tin Can** » Wed May 14, 2008 11:08 am

Bill K wrote:Tell me, Water board, how a watercraft that has never been out of state, in other waters i.e. ocean, etc. that have no mussels can bring into your water a object you do not like and want to regulate? Makes you wonder where their minds are. Surely no common sense. All they can think of is money, money. BIll K

What watercraft are you referring to that hasn't been out of state? I'm sure a ton of the boats on Anderson have been out of state and to plenty of other lakes. San Justo is just a short drive from Santa Clara county. I would guess almost all of the fishing boats have been on that lake and it's infested. Who knows what other lakes have them. How did they get into San Justo?

If it was all about money why would the first thing they did be to close the lake to boaters? How many boats can be on Anderson, Coyote and Calero in a day? Multiply that by the $12 each boater paid to park and launch and you have the amount of money the county is losing every day by having the lakes closed.

If it was all a scam to produce revenue, they would just charge us more to enter the lakes and call it a mussel control increase and that would be the end of that.

rexford · Post by **rexford** » Wed May 14, 2008 11:35 am

They have had 12 months to work this issue so I really
do not put much credit in them being able to re open
the lakes in 2 weeks.

MIKE TREMONT · Post by **MIKE TREMONT** » Wed May 14, 2008 1:08 pm

That seems to be the way run things. Back when they were worried about the MTBE getting in the water, didn't they shut things down for awhile as well? If they didn't I know they wanted to.
Sorry for all you that use their waterways have to go through this. It just means burning more gas and putting more boating pressure on other bodies of water.

Thanks to the powers that be In SC Co

Micropterus salmoides · Wed May 14, 2008 1:28 pm

If it really will be $7.00+ each time you visit that will be very costly. I read about the use of a tyvek band, which could possibly mean that you don't pay every time. I fish from a kickboat so I don't know how the whole process will go for me. At the very least I hope they have a single yearly inspection pass like they do with the parking and launch ramp fees. This whole thing sucks for me. I only get to fish the local lakes, with Calero being my primary spot.

I envy you guys who have alternatives, like the Delta and Clear Lake.

bassindon69 · Post by **bassindon69** » Wed May 14, 2008 1:39 pm

WOW!! Post a bunch of "Don't Move a mussel" posters then close the lakes

Someone needs to test them for CRACK!

Don.

davetNitro · Post by **davetNitro** » Wed May 14, 2008 2:17 pm

i watched the water district meeting on the internet, and it is no wonder that they can't get **** done. what a bunch of morons.

Buzzbait · Post by **Buzzbait** » Wed May 14, 2008 2:46 pm

It's about time someone stepped up and put a cap in the asses of all the crazy mussel spreading nut cases that are wrecking our water systems!!!

Bank fishing tournaments are just around the corner...and some cheap boats too!!

Tin Can · Post by **Tin Can** » Wed May 14, 2008 2:48 pm

Micropterus salmoides wrote:If it really will be $7.00+ each time you visit that will be very costly. I read about the use of a tyvek band, which could possibly mean that you don't pay every time. I fish from a kickboat so I don't know how the whole process will go for me. At the very least I hope they have a single yearly inspection pass like they do with the parking and launch ramp fees. This whole thing sucks for me. I only get to fish the local lakes, with Calero being my primary spot. I envy you guys who have alternatives, like the Delta and Clear Lake.

I feel your pain man. I fish mainly the lakes they just closed, I only rarely travel farther than that or have time to drive as far as the Delta. Besides that I fish out of a 14' aluminum so these small lakes were perfect for me. I'll be doing a lot more saltwater fishing this year.

Tin Can · Post by **Tin Can** » Wed May 14, 2008 2:52 pm

Buzzbait wrote:
Bank fishing tournaments are just around the corner...and some cheap boats too!!

Livewell backpacks?

We could invent it.

Iafrate94505 · Post by **Iafrate94505** » Wed May 14, 2008 3:06 pm

Tin Can wrote:This whole thing just pisses me off. Santa Clara sat on their *** and did nothing until now and then they just up and close the lakes. These damn things were found in San Justo MONTHS ago. They had plenty of time to figure out how to go about this without closing the lakes. They should have had an inspection process set up and in action by now.

These things have basically ruined bass fishing for me. I guess I'll be looking for an Ocean boat now.

all highways and freeways go through the county and into another...dare to venture out of your bubble.

tell the truth, your mad about the 'no wakeboarding' not no fishing.
LOL.

ash · Post by **ash** » Wed May 14, 2008 3:15 pm

OK being the new guy in Nor Cal what lakes are santa clara are we talking about the following lakes?

Almaden Reservoir (Santa Teresa Hills area)
Anderson Lake (Morgan Hill area)
Borondo Lake (Mindego Hill area)
Bulhead Reservoir (Mustang Peak area)
Calero Reservoir (Santa Teresa Hills area)
Cherry Flat Reservoir (Calaveras Reservoir area)
Chesbro Reservoir (Mount Madonna area)
Coyote Lake (Gilroy area)
Felt Lake (Palo Alto area)
Guadalupe Reservoir (Los Gatos area)
Halls Valley Lake (Lick Observatory area)
Hoover Lake (Mississippi Creek area)
Howell Reservoir (Castle Rock Ridge area)
Laguna Seca (historical) (Santa Teresa Hills area)
Lagunita (Palo Alto area)
Lake Couzzens (Castle Rock Ridge area)
Lake Elsman (Los Gatos area)
Lake McKenzie (Castle Rock Ridge area)
Lake Mountain (Pacheco Peak area)
Lake Ranch Reservoir (Castle Rock Ridge area)
Lexington Reservoir (Los Gatos area)
Lone Lake (Mount Sizer area)
Los Alamitos Percolation Ponds (Santa Teresa Hills area)
Mud Lake (Mount Sizer area)
Oak Springs Reservoir (Mustang Peak area)
Pacheco Lake (Pacheco Peak area)
Sandy Wool Lake (Calaveras Reservoir area)
Shaeirn Lake (Pacheco Peak area)
Shoreline Lake (Mountain View area)
Sprig Lake (Mount Madonna area)
Stevens Creek Reservoir (Cupertino area)
Tisdale Reservoir (Los Gatos area)
Tule Lake (Mount Sizer area)
Turnbull Learning Academy (Mount Sizer area)
Uvas Reservoir (Mount Madonna area)
Vasona Reservoir (Los Gatos area)
Williams Reservoir (Laurel area)

Tin Can · Post by **Tin Can** » Wed May 14, 2008 3:16 pm

Iafrate94505 wrote:
Tin Can wrote:This whole thing just pisses me off. Santa Clara sat on their *** and did nothing until now and then they just up and close the lakes. These damn things were found in San Justo MONTHS ago. They had plenty of time to figure out how to go about this without closing the lakes. They should have had an inspection process set up and in action by now.

These things have basically ruined bass fishing for me. I guess I'll be looking for an Ocean boat now.
all highways and freeways go through the county and into another...dare to venture out of your bubble.

tell the truth, your mad about the 'no wakeboarding' not no fishing.
LOL.

When I am fishing, I hate wake boats! I have only wakeboarded at Calero twice in my life. I really only wakeboard when I go on big group camping trips. I'm really just mad that I have to drive twice as far to fish now.

Me and everyone else from the bay area will be seeing you on your water soon though!

Tin Can · Post by **Tin Can** » Wed May 14, 2008 3:19 pm

Ash, the ones that are closed are Calero, Coyote and Anderson. I haven't heard anything about the others. Lexington was mentioned in one article I saw, but the ramp there hasn't been open in ages and they are draining that lake for repairs on a water line anyway. Uvas and Chesbro I'm not even sure if the ramps are open. The water may still be too low.

Iafrate94505 · Post by **Iafrate94505** » Wed May 14, 2008 3:43 pm

Tin Can wrote: Me and everyone else from the bay area will be seeing you on your water soon though!

so true....you should hit disco with yer bath tub...5mph zone and tons a senko fish...

FIVEtenthz · Post by **FIVEtenthz** » Wed May 14, 2008 3:58 pm

Dang, does this mean I wont be the only one on the banks of Calero Saturday?

Micropterus salmoides · Wed May 14, 2008 4:46 pm

FIVEtenthz wrote:Dang, does this mean I wont be the only one on the banks of Calero Saturday?

I'm debating whether to hit Calero from the bank or try another close by lake in my kickboat. Calero is definitely the better fishery, but fishing from the bank kind of blows once you've grown accustomed to a kickboat.

CN · Post by CN » Wed May 14, 2008 5:57 pm

Great I decided to skip work today and debated whether to fish Anderson or Los Banos Creek.Well you know which one I went to glad I did.

Then I come home and read this.We are doomed all California lake's will fall under these inspection's and closure's.A week ago we were discussing how laxed they were up at Clear Lake they just figgin close them down here.

Salt baby.......till it's gone to.

Jim Jr 77 · Post by **Jim Jr 77** » Wed May 14, 2008 6:20 pm

You will find me at Almaden Lake now....City owned and isnt a part of the closure's.....

I dont know if I should have said that!!!!!.....lol...

Tin Can · Post by **Tin Can** » Thu May 15, 2008 7:23 am

FIVEtenthz wrote:Dang, does this mean I wont be the only one on the banks of Calero Saturday?

I'd go for Anderson over Calero. Anderson has been on fire. Now that I'm not going back there anytime soon, I can tell you that.

Iafrate94505 · Post by **Iafrate94505** » Thu May 15, 2008 7:31 am

Jim Jr 77 wrote:You will find me at Almaden Lake now....City owned and isnt a part of the closure's.....

I dont know if I should have said that!!!!!.....lol...

ahhaha and no motor boats...

that lake has a bacteria in it from all the birds...people get sick every year.

Iafrate94505 · Post by **Iafrate94505** » Thu May 15, 2008 7:33 am

Tin Can wrote:
FIVEtenthz wrote:Dang, does this mean I wont be the only one on the banks of Calero Saturday?
I'd go for Anderson over Calero. Anderson has been on fire. Now that I'm not going back there anytime soon, I can tell you that.

dont be scared of this river doooooooooooooooooooooooooooood.

you can cover disco for weeks in that colander you call a boat.

Tin Can · Post by **Tin Can** » Thu May 15, 2008 7:36 am

Haha. I am a little scared of the river in the can. I would have to launch at some protected slough and not go far.

Iafrate94505 · Post by **Iafrate94505** » Thu May 15, 2008 7:40 am

Tin Can wrote:Haha. I am a little scared of the river in the can. I would have to launch at some protected slough and not go far.

HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY DISCOVERY BAY ?

5000 DOCKS, 5 MPG ZONE...

10.00 LAUNCH AT ORWOOD.

AND EYECANDY TO RIVAL ANY BEACH.

GOOGLE EARTH IT.

TOPWATER AND SENKOS..EVEN YOU COULD GET BIT.

I HAD 3 3+LBERS JUSY OFF THE DOCK THIS AM....L2W

Tin Can · Post by **Tin Can** » Thu May 15, 2008 7:47 am

Alright, I'll look into it. Should I stop by and say hi? Maybe next weekend. I'm ocean fishing this weekend.

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