What is the threat posed by the golden mussels in California?

The golden mussels, an invasive species originally from Asia, have been confirmed in Silverwood Lake and Pyramid Lake, part of California's State Water Project Infrastructure. These mussels can rapidly reproduce, attach robustly, and colonize opportunistically, posing risks to the ecosystem balance and the critical water infrastructure, including canals, reservoirs, and pipelines.

What is the current approach to addressing the golden mussel invasion in California?

With no effective eradication method once the mussels are established, the focus has shifted towards prevention, containment, and early detection strategies. State agencies are developing response plans, and park services have implemented boat inspection protocols to limit further spread of the invasive species.

Home / Environment / Invasive Golden Mussels Infiltrate California's Water Systems, Sparking Urgent Response

Invasive Golden Mussels Infiltrate California's Water Systems, Sparking Urgent Response

Q: How quickly have the golden mussels spread in California?

The golden mussels have spread over 250 miles from their initial detection in the Port of Stockton in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to the southern California lakes in less than a year, indicating their alarming rate of expansion.

12 Oct

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Summary

Golden mussels confirmed in Silverwood Lake and Pyramid Lake, part of California's water infrastructure
Mussels spread over 250 miles in less than a year, posing risks to ecosystems and water systems
No effective eradication method exists once mussels are established, shifting focus to prevention and containment

Invasive Golden Mussels Infiltrate California's Water Systems, Sparking Urgent Response

As of October 12th, 2025, California's water systems are facing a mounting ecological crisis with the confirmation of the invasive golden mussel (Limnoperna fortunei) in two major reservoirs. The golden mussels have been detected in Silverwood Lake in San Bernardino County and Pyramid Lake in Los Angeles County, both part of the State Water Project Infrastructure.

This discovery is particularly alarming due to the mussels' ability to reproduce quickly, attach robustly, and colonize opportunistically. Originally native to Asia, the golden mussels have now spread over 250 miles from their initial detection in the Port of Stockton in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to these southern California lakes in less than a year.

The arrival of the golden mussels escalates risks not only to the overall ecosystem balance but also to the critical human-built water infrastructure, including canals, reservoirs, and pipelines. Unfortunately, as of now, there is no effective method to eradicate the mussels once they have become established in a body of water. This has shifted the focus towards prevention, containment, and early detection strategies.

State agencies, including the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Water Resources, are working to develop response plans and study ways to protect the water infrastructure from the damaging effects of the golden mussels. Additionally, park services at Silverwood Lake and Pyramid Lake have implemented boat inspection protocols to help limit the further spread of the invasive species.

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