Below you will find program updates, including protocols, restrictions, and procedures for vessel launching.

• For Beardsley Reservoir Updates

TULLOCH RESERVOIR UPDATES:  

Notice to Reservoir Users – Boating Requirements at Tulloch Reservoir

To protect Tulloch Reservoir from Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS), all vessel inspections, decontamination, and banding must be completed only by Tri-Dam–approved providers.

Launching from private property or unauthorized locations is not allowed. All vessels must use approved launch sites.

Public Launch Access

• Drifters Resort is under new ownership and has been approved by Tri-Dam as a designated launch site. Please contact Drifters directly for current access, hours of operation, and launch availability.
• The Tuolumne County-operated campground boat launch is the primary public access point but is currently closed.  For updates on the campground reopening, please contact Tuolumne County directly.

​​​​​​​General Boating Requirements

• ​​​​​​​All motorized vessels must arrive Clean, Drained, and Dry
• All trailered vessels are subject to inspection
• All vessels must launch from approved facilities only
• A California Boater Card is required to operate a vessel

Banding Requirements

To launch at Tulloch Reservoir, your vessel must meet ONE of the following:

• Have a valid Tulloch-issued 30-day quarantine band, OR
• Have a valid Tulloch re-entry band, OR
• Receive an approved decontamination (see below)

Important:

• Bands from other lakes or waterbodies are NOT  accepted
• Bands must be verifiable in the national database
• Boaters should request a text or digital receipt to confirm band registration
• Bands must remain intact to be valid

Approved Decontamination (New Melones → Tulloch)

Boaters may use New Melones Reservoir for decontamination only:

• After decontamination, a band will be issued for same-day entry into Tulloch
• Request a receipt to confirm your vessel is entered in the database
• You can  go directly to Tulloch after decontamination or wait until you are ready to launch, you must not launch your vessel into another waterbody or the decontamination will no longer be valid
• Call ahead to New Melones to confirm decontamination availability

Not allowed:

• 30-day quarantine bands from New Melones do NOT qualify for entry
• Re-entry bands from New Melones do NOT qualify for entry

This is a one-way agreement for decontamination only.

Vessel Stickers and Day Passess

Tri-Dam vessel stickers are issued ONLY to eligible Tulloch lakefront property owners 
They are NOT available to the general public.  The general public will be issued a day pass when launching at a designated launch site.

All vessels must either:

• Display a valid Tri-Dam sticker, OR
• Have a valid day-use launch pass from an approved facility

This is separate from the State DMV mussel fee sticker.

Non-Motorized Watercraft

The following watercraft are not required to be banded, but must complete a Self-Inspection Permit prior to launching:

• Nonmotorized canoes
• Nonmotorized kayaks
• Car-top boats
• Float tubes
• Rafts
• Wind surfers/boards
• Boogie boards
• Nonmotorized paddle boats
• Nonmotorized sailboats 8 feet or less in length