April 10, 2026- The FAQ's for boating restrictions at Sly Park Recreation Area have been updated

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To prevent the introduction of invasive golden mussels and protect critical drinking water infrastructure, El Dorado Irrigation District (EID) implemented boat launching restrictions in early 2025 at Jenkinson Lake, located within the Sly Park Recreation Area (SPRA) in Pollock Pines.

This action was undertaken to guard against the spread of invasive mussels detected in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. These mussels can rapidly colonize and clog water intakes and treatment facilities, threatening water quality and delivery systems. 

Due to water quality conditions that are more conducive to the establishment of the invasive golden mussels and proximity to critical drinking water infrastructure, the monitoring and tagging program at Jenkinson Lake/Sly Park Recreation Area will remain in effect for the foreseeable future to prevent the introduction of golden mussels. 

Boating Restrictions – What You Need to Know

As of April 10, 2026, and continuing until further notice, the following boating restrictions apply at Jenkinson Lake: 

Boat launching is permitted if one (1) of the following conditions is met:

• The boat was tagged by EID and a 30-day quarantine period was completed, during which boats must remain sealed with an EID tag and kept out of the water, or 
• The boat was last launched at SPRA and has an intact exit tag that was applied by EID on departure. 

-OR-

• The boat was tagged by another agency. In such a case, ALL the following criteria must be met in order to launch at SPRA:

  • EID must be able to verify the tag number, boat identification number, and date installed in the national Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination (WID) database, and 

  • The tag must connect the boat to the trailer in a way that the boat cannot be launched without removing the tag, and 

  • The tag was installed in a waterbody that is not considered “positive” for invasive mussels, and 

  • The tag must be installed for more than 30 days, and 

  • The tag is intact and not damaged or tampered with as determined by EID, and 

  • The boat is clean, drained, and dry. 

-OR- 

After decontamination or 30-day quarantine verification:

• Boats that last launched at SPRA may be re-tagged before exiting and may re-enter without additional quarantine—if the seal remains intact and the boater presents a receipt that matches the tag number or the tag can be verified in the WID database. 
• Non-motorized vessels (e.g., kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards) are exempt if determined to be clean, drained, and dry. 
• Trailered non-motorized boats may be inspected.  Trailers that have not been quarantined will not be allowed in the water; in these cases, boats must be hand-launched. 

30-Day Quarantine Tagging – District Location and Hours

Sly Park Recreation Area

4771 Sly Park Rd. Pollock Pines

Daily: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Appointments are not available

Reminders for Boaters

• Bring your receipt for re-entry. Staff will match the tag and CF number, and your return-to-water date. 
  • If you lose your receipt, expect a longer wait while staff look up your information in the database. 
• A 30-day quarantine is required unless you have had your boat decontaminated at an approved facility (see above). 
  • For example, if your boat was tagged on April 30, it cannot return to the water before May 29.  
• Boat Launch and Exit Tagging Hours
  • May through September
    • Gates open at 6:30 a.m.
    • All boats must be off the water by 8:00 p.m.
    • Exit tagging available until 8:30 p.m. 
  • October through April
    • Gates open at 7:30 a.m.
    • All boats must be off the water by 5:00 p.m.
    • Exit tagging available until 5:30 p.m.

Project 184 Reservoirs/Lakes Boat Access

Caples Lake (Alpine County) and Silver Lake (Amador County): at this time, due to conditions at these high-elevation lakes/reservoirs, prevention efforts focus on outreach and education, similar to other partner high-elevation reservoir operations with conditions that are less conducive to the establishment of the invasive golden mussels. 

Echo Lake is located in the Lake Tahoe watershed and, as such, remains subject to Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) requirements. Please visit TahoeBoatInspections.com for more information and the latest updates on current and seasonal hours. 

Lake Aloha is in Desolation Wilderness and is inaccessible by boat.  

El Dorado Forebay remains off limits to any contact recreation such as swimming and boating, pursuant to state requirements as a designated drinking water supply. 

More Information

• Check this webpage regularly for ongoing updates, www.EID.org/Boating.
  • You can sign up for email notifications when updates are posted to this webpage.
    Go to "eNews Sign Up" and under "News" select "Boating Restrictions"
• Email questions to Boating@EID.org.
• Download the FAQ (Updated April 10, 2026)

Additional Resources

• April 14, 2025: Invasive Mussel Prevention Program Information and PowerPoint Presentation