Invasive Golden Mussels Found on Boat at Folsom Lake

California State Parks officials discovered live golden mussels on a boat during a routine inspection at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area this week, marking the first major interception under a new vessel inspection program launched in April.

The boat, which had recently traveled through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, was stopped at Beals Point and quarantined before it could enter the lake. Golden mussels, a highly invasive species first identified in the Delta last fall, pose serious threats to water infrastructure, ecosystems, and recreational waterways across the state.

“Thanks to this new program and the diligent work of our inspection team, we prevented this vessel from ever touching the water, which could have had catastrophic consequences,” said Superintendent Mike Howard. “This effort protects billions of dollars of infrastructure, recreation, and fisheries.”

Since the inspection program began on April 14, nearly 5,000 boats have been checked. Vessels passing inspection receive a quarantine seal requiring a 30-day waiting period before launching. After the quarantine, boats must return to a designated site to have the seal verified and removed.

Golden mussels can damage boat engines, degrade water quality, and disrupt ecosystems by attaching to nearly any surface. Their presence in California waters would be extremely difficult to control once established.

For more information on the inspection program, including rules and inspection site locations, visit parks.ca.gov/FolsomLakeGoldenMussels.