Lake Oroville Officials Step Up Efforts to Keep Invasive Golden Mussels Out

With invasive golden mussels threatening waterways across California, Lake Oroville officials are ramping up efforts to keep the species out of local waters.

At the July 9 meeting of the Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee, California Department of Water Resources (DWR) officials provided updates on their new watercraft inspection program, which launched in May. The goal? Stop golden mussels before they become a serious—and expensive—problem.

“Once they take hold, they’ll start to clog pipes,” said Andy Bambauer, senior engineer with DWR. “They attach to the outside wall and constrict further inward until they completely clog the pipe.”

These mussels, once introduced, are notoriously difficult to remove and can cause major damage to water infrastructure. The risk is especially high during warm summer months, when mussels reproduce rapidly.

Since May 16, DWR has inspected more than 4,000 boats entering Lake Oroville, with no mussels detected—yet. Each inspection includes a thorough check and decontamination of watercraft to ensure nothing harmful sneaks in.

Meanwhile, other California reservoirs like Folsom Lake are also on high alert. Local agencies there have implemented strict prevention protocols to avoid the mussel’s arrival.

Officials urge boaters and recreators to stay vigilant. Cleaning and drying all gear and watercraft before moving between lakes remains the best defense against this aquatic invader.

The message is simple: If you love California’s lakes, help protect them—one inspection at a time.