UKIAH, Ca. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is prohibiting swimming at Lake Mendocino due to a mass die-off of carp.
“Public safety is our number one priority,” said Mike Dillabough, chief of Operations and Readiness. “We’re taking these steps to maintain safety and so our visitors can enjoy full access of the recreational areas as soon as possible.”
Tests are currently being conducted by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and U.C. Davis Veterinary Teaching Hospital to find the root cause of the fish deaths. Humans and pets should not eat or handle sick-looking, dead or dying fish and should not swim, fish or recreate near sick-looking, dead or dying fish.
Swimming is prohibited at the lake until further notice, pending test results. Signs have been placed at Lake Mendocino access areas to notify the public that swimming is prohibited.
Boating is still allowed at Lake Mendocino. Currently the South boat ramp is open and the North boat ramp is closed due to low water levels.
NOTE: When test results are available or if there is a change in the current situation this office will send follow-on press releases.
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Lake Mendocino, formed with the construction of the Coyote Valley Dam in 1958, is the largest reservoir in Mendocino County with an average of 500,000 visitors annually. Lake Mendocino is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide flood risk reduction, water resource management and recreational opportunities to improve the quality of life for the public.
Release no. 14-006