08-05-2025
Golden mussel found on boat in Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
( — Golden mussels have made their way to Folsom Lake after they were discovered during a boat inspection.
• Video above: Officials have no idea how Golden Mussels make their way to the region
According to the California Department of Parks and Recreation, the new vessel inspection program at the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area found an infestation of growing golden mussels on a boat on Tuesday at Beals Point.
CDPA stated that during the inspection, one of the California State Parks staff found many live golden mussels attached to a vessel. The boat was recently in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta area.
At this time, officials said that state parks are working with the owner and other agencies to safely decontaminate and quarantine the boat.
Image: California Department of Parks and Recreation
'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 Folsom Lake State Recreation Area Superintendent Mike Howard. 'The inspection and quarantine program we have implemented is in place to protect billions of dollars of water and hydroelectric infrastructure in addition to recreation and the fishery. The discovery of live golden mussels yesterday validates the importance of this effort.'
State Parks and staff and partner shops have inspected almost 5,000 boats since implementing the new boat inspection and quarantine program on April 14, said CDPA. After the inspection, the boats receive a quarantine seal, which is applied for 30 days, and are not allowed to enter the water during the break.
After quarantining is done, the boats are allowed to be back in the water, have the seal removed by authorized staff, and be allowed to launch, stated CDPA.
CDPA said that golden mussels were found in the Delta area in October of last year. They pose a significant threat to the ecological health of all waters of the state, its water conveyance systems, infrastructure, and water quality.
For more information on the Golden Mussels preventive program, click here.
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