Wildlife officials have found invasive golden mussels at both Silverwood Lake in San Bernardino County and Pyramid Lake in Los Angeles County as the disruptive and rapidly breeding bivalves continues their southward invasion of the Golden State.
New boating protocols have been put in place at Silverwood Lake to respond to the detections of the shellfish, which were announced by California State Parks officials on Friday, Sept. 12, parks officials said. Pyrmaid Lake has already implemented exit inspections for boats following the discovery of invasive quagga mussels, also known as zebra mussels, in 2016.
“These lakes are the southernmost State Water Project reservoirs where golden mussels have been detected,” the agency said in a written statement.
The mussels were found during recent routine water inspections by the California Department of Water Resources, officials added.
The unwanted shellfish were first discovered in California in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and O’Neill Forebay in October of 2024, officials said. The species has been making its way south ever since.
What are golden mussels and why are they a problem for California?
Golden mussels are freshwater bivalves native to China and Southeast Asia, California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials explained.
They have been known to disrupt ecosystems, clog water infrastructure and devastate native species by outcompeting them, according to the state parks statement. They are also known for their ability to reproduce rapidly.
“These invasive mussels can also cause significant damage to boats by attaching to hulls and clogging engines, leading to increased costs for boaters and other motorized vessel owners,” the statement warned. “Currently, there are no effective methods to treat or eliminate the golden mussel from infested waterways, making prevention of further spread to non-infested waterways a top priority.”
Multiple agencies were working together to fight the invasion, which is largely spread when the mussels are transported between bodies of water by clinging to boats.
In April, the CDFW announced the development of a “comprehensive Golden Mussel Response Framework” to address the issue.
“The discovery of golden mussels in California is a serious challenge that requires coordinated action and a long-term commitment,” CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham said at the time. “This response framework recommends critical steps that must be taken across state, regional and local levels to limit the spread and mitigate the impacts of this invasive species.”
Authorities closely monitoring Lake Perris in Riverside County
No golden mussels have been confirmed at Perris Lake in Riverside County, however, wildlife and water officials were keeping a close eye on it.
Daily water transfers from Silverwood Lake to Pake Perris make it “highly likely” the species will ultimately make its way to Lake Perris, according to state parks officials.
“Monitoring efforts are ongoing, and the public will be notified of any updates,” the statement said. “Lake Perris is continuing inspections for now and will discontinue incoming inspections if Lake Perris tests positive for golden mussels and will adopt this exit inspection protocol.”
What new procedures are in place at Silverwook Lake to combat golden mussels?
Effective immediately, outbound boats will be inspected for mussels when pulled from the water at Silverwood Lake, representatives said.
“Drain plugs should be pulled on all vessels prior to exiting Silverwood Lake to prevent the transport of lake water, which may contain microscopic golden mussel larvae or veligers,” according to the state parks statement.
As the presence of mussels has already been confirmed, mandatory boat inspections upon entry into the water will no longer be required.
Boaters were “strongly advised” to make sure all boats are thoroughly cleaned, drained and dried after leacing Silverwood Lake.
More information on golden mussels is available, and sightings can be reported, the CDFW’s golden mussel webpage, or by calling the agency at (866) 440-9530, or emailging invasives@wildlife.ca.gov.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Invasive golden mussels found at Silverwood, Pyramid lakes in Southern California
Reporting by Brian Day, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
