Franklin County closes down two reservoirs to boats

Two reservoirs in Franklin County have shut down to all motorized boats, beginning Aug. 1. The county has done that in an effort to keep quagga mussels, an invasive species, out of the water.

The Consolidated Irrigation Company operates the Glendale and Lamont Reservoirs. The company has decided to close them to all motorized watercraft.

The funding to maintain boat inspections has been coming from Preston City and Franklin County. Now, the company said the funding is completely gone. It feels the only option to protect against infestation is to not allow motorized boats on the water.

The irrigation company said it hopes to be able to open the reservoirs back up to all boats next season.Franklin County is working to get back some state funding to open up more boat inspection stations.