FRIANT, Calif. (FOX26) — As summer holidays approach and temperatures rise, state wildlife officials are urging boaters and other recreationists to watch for golden mussels that can cling to equipment and spread between waterways.
The invasive mussels, which originated in eastern countries, multiply quickly and can damage boats and infrastructure, reduce water flow and lead to costly repairs.
The first record of golden mussels in North America was in the San Joaquin Valley, where they were discovered in Merced County in 2024.
With Memorial Day on the horizon, more boaters are expected at Millerton Lake.
The Friant Water Authority is asking people to take three steps to help prevent the spread of invasive mussels: CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY.
That includes cleaning boats before and after going into the water to remove debris or any mussels that may have attached, draining any water collected while on the lake, and drying equipment before taking it to another body of water.
Millerton Lake is a “self reporting” lake, meaning it is up to boaters to check their own equipment for golden mussels.
In other places, inspections are required, but the California Department of Water Resources said on social media that in certain areas those inspections would stop, while continuing to urge boaters to “clean, drain and dry.”
Hammer Garcia, a Clovis boat owner, urged others to be cautious, saying, “Be careful with the muscles.”
“I did see those muscles and I go wow,” he said. “I’ve seen in Kerns County lake up there, they pulled out a boat out and I couldn’t believe it.”
Garcia said he always inspects his boat.
Tony Gonzalez, a boat renter in Friant, said he has never seen a golden mussel in 15 years and questioned the state’s approach.
“We’ve been dealing with those for quite a long time and I’ve honestly very rarely have heard of anybody even, you know, lakes getting them or anything like that. I think it’s just another way for the state to collect money,” Gonzalez said.
State agencies are urging anyone who finds something on water equipment to contact the managing agency for the body of water where it was found.
In Washington, California Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff introduced a bill aimed at stopping the spread of golden mussels.
The proposal calls for investments in a demonstration program to research the mussels and educate the public, track patterns and invest in new technology through new grant programs.