LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) confirmed the northermost detection of the invasive golden mussel in late June. The animals were found around the Port of West Sacramento, marking their journey up the golden state—and dangerously close to Lake Tahoe.
Despite the delicious sounding name, the golden mussel or Limnoperno fortunei is no treasure. The bivalves originate from China but were accidentally introduced to the Americas and were first detected in North America in 2024.
Like the quagga and zebra mussels, other aquatic invasive species, the freshwater mussel can severely threaten native biodiversity, water quality and destroy water infrastructure. They form dense colonies and can encrust rocks, pipes, boats and piers…