The recent discovery of a new type of invasive mussel in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta is raising concerns that the non-native species could cause major ecological harm and inflict costly complications for the infrastructure California relies on to deliver water across the state.
State workers discovered golden mussels attached to equipment and buoys in the Port of Stockton last month while carrying out routine water quality tests. The mussels were also recently found in O’Neill Forebay , part of the state’s water delivery system south of the Delta near Santa Nella.
“Any invasive species in our Delta is problematic, and we’re going to do everything we can to control its spread,” said Steve Gonzalez, a spokesperson for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The department announced the discovery last week, saying it’s the first time golden mussels have been found in North America . Native to rivers and creeks in China and Southeast Asia, the bivalves have appeared in waterways elsewhere in Asia as well as South American countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.