(BCN) — Clean, drain, dry and tag: State and county officials are relying on boaters to prevent the spread of an invasive golden mussel that has infested much of the San Francisco estuary. On Monday, new rules that aim to curb the spread of the species go into effect for all reservoirs open to recreational boating within Santa Clara County.
The first North American detection of golden mussel was in California in 2024, according to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. The inch-long golden mussels live in both fresh and brackish waters, and county officials say they can hitch rides on boats and trailers, allowing them to spread rapidly between waterways.
Water agencies have reported infestations at facilities connected to California’s vast water delivery system, clustering onto pumps, pipes and fish screens, potentially threatening drinking water supplies, agriculture and hydropower operations…