This collection of materials outlines the Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination (WID) program, a comprehensive effort focused on preventing the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS), particularly zebra and quagga mussels (ZQM), across western waters. The documents discuss the biology and invasive characteristics of AIS, detailing the significant ecological and economic harm they cause. They also explain the various types of watercraft and their associated risks for transporting these species. Finally, the materials provide detailed procedures for conducting watercraft inspections and decontaminations to intercept and eliminate AIS.

On April 14th 2025 the State of California published the  GOLDEN MUSSEL RESPONSE FRAMEWORK.

• This document outlines California’s Golden Mussel Response Framework, a collaborative effort by various state and federal agencies including the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the United States Bureau of Reclamation to address the recent discovery of the invasive golden mussel in the state. The framework, developed by the Golden Mussel Task Force (GMTF), aims to prevent further spread, contain existing infestations, and suppress populations of the mussel, which poses significant threats to ecosystems and infrastructure. It details objectives and recommendations across areas like communication, containment, prevention, monitoring, and partner engagement, building on existing efforts for other invasive mussels while also addressing the unique challenges presented by the golden mussel’s biology and initial points of detection. The document also discusses necessary laws, regulations, and policies, as well as potential funding sources, to support these response actions.

All right. So today we're diving into, uh, some pretty concerning news about invasive species. You know, those zebra and quagga mussels that we've been talking about. 

Oh, yeah. 

Yeah. Well, get ready for something even worse. 

Okay. 

The golden mussel. It just showed up in North America. 

First time. 

Yeah, for the first time, and specifically in the Sacramento San Joaquin Delta, and this is a big deal.

I mean, we already know how much damage the zebra and guaga mussels can do. So what makes this golden mussel even more of a threat, I guess, is what we're trying to figure out today, especially for our local reservoirs that we all use and love. 

Right. I think what makes the golden mussel so much scarier than those other two is that it's just a lot better at everything.

Yeah. It's better at surviving in different environments. Oh, really? Um, and it reproduces really quickly and it just takes over an ecosystem in a way that the zebra and quagga mussels haven't been able to do. 

Okay, so before we get too deep into the doom and gloom, can we take a step back for a second and just describe what this golden mussel actually looks like?

Mmm. You know, for those of us who haven't encountered one yet. 

Yeah, sure. So picture a small mussel, like under an inch and a half long, with a shell that's kind of golden or brownish. Okay. And it's not like a bright, shiny gold. It's more of a, like a dull, kind of brassy color. Got it. And they like to attach themselves to hard surfaces, you know, rocks and stuff like that.

And they can be found in freshwater or brackish water. So pretty much any body of water is fair game. 

Right. 

But what's really alarming is how many of them there can be in one spot. 

Oh yeah, I was reading about that 200, 000 mussels per square meter, is that right? 

Yeah, you read that right. It's insane.

That's a lot of mussels. 

It is. Imagine like a square meter on the floor of a lake or a reservoir and it's just completely covered with these mussels. 

Yeah, that's a scary thought. 

Yeah, and they're not just sitting there looking pretty either. They're constantly filtering water and eating everything in sight.