Golden mussels are continuing to spread throughout California, potentially imperiling key water infrastructure and leading Kern County to declare an emergency.
The invasive species was first detected in California in 2024 but has spread widely since then. The mollusks hail from Asia and can spread rapidly by producing up to 1 million offspring a year.
This week, Kern County officials declared a local emergency over the invasive species. Thomas Brown, the intergovernmental affairs officer for Kern County, said during the Board of Supervisors meeting that golden mussels were present in “key parts” of water infrastructure.
“This is no longer a theoretical concern or something happening elsewhere,” Brown said at the session. “The infestation is here.”…