California Officials Launch Plan to Keep Invasive Golden Mussels Out of Lake Oroville

With the recent discovery of invasive golden mussels in California waterways, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) is ramping up prevention efforts to protect Lake Oroville and surrounding State Water Project (SWP) facilities.

Golden mussels haven’t been detected in Lake Oroville, Thermalito Forebay, or Thermalito Afterbay, but DWR is taking proactive steps to keep it that way. These invasive mussels can severely damage ecosystems, clog pipelines, foul boat motors, and disrupt water delivery systems.

To stop their spread, DWR is partnering with California State Parks and California Department of Fish and Wildlife to implement a mandatory watercraft inspection program at Lake Oroville starting later this month.

Boats and trailers must be 100% mussel-free and dry—including hard-to-reach spots like live wells, bilges, bait buckets, ropes, and cup holders. Inspections will be free, and passing vessels will receive a reentry seal allowing them to skip inspection on their next visit.

Golden mussels, typically ¾ to 2 inches long, are difficult to control once established and spread easily through standing water in boats. DWR urges all boaters to clean, drain, and dry their equipment before launching in new waterways.

More details on inspection sites and hours will be announced soon. For now, awareness and responsible recreation are key to keeping Oroville’s waters clean and mussel-free. Visit the DWR website for more info and a helpful video.