The discovery of golden mussels in California has introduced a new and urgent challenge for water managers across the state.
First detected in 2024 and now confirmed in multiple locations within the California Department of Water Resources’ State Water Project, the invasive freshwater species poses risks to the infrastructure that delivers water to farms, cities, and communities.
Dudek Biologist and bivalve expert Valerie Goodwin has spent months investigating the species to understand their biology and determine effective treatment methods.
She spoke with ABC Bakersfield following her presentation at the Kern County Water Summit on what the arrival of golden mussels could mean for water supply and the industries that depend on it.
Biologist Valerie Goodwin spoke with ABC 23 about the impacts of the invasive golden mussel.
Far‑Reaching Impacts of Potential Spread
Golden mussels spread quickly and form dense colonies on boats, pipes, and other surfaces in water systems. As those colonies grow, they can interfere with water flow and damage the infrastructure used to move water.
Valerie explained that the consequences could be significant for industries and communities that rely on water delivered through the State Water Project, saying:
“They could potentially grow and colonize to such dense levels that they would stop the flow of water to any industry that uses raw water taken from the State Water Project.”
Uses that could be impacted include agriculture, groundwater recharge, and municipal water systems, which support both local economies and everyday life across California.
The mussels have already spread beyond their initial locations, raising concerns about how quickly impacts could grow as the species continues to establish itself. The State Water Project delivers water across California. “That means that [golden mussels] have a vehicle to move quickly throughout the state, which is exactly what we’ve seen in the last year or so,” Valerie said.
Pioneering Golden Mussel Treatment Solutions
Golden mussels were first discovered at the Port of Stockton in October of 2024. Native to Asia, their arrival in North America has introduced uncertainty, since there is no established precedent for how the species will behave within California’s large and complex water systems.
Dudek experts are at the forefront of pioneering solutions for golden mussel eradication, leading innovative research and pilot programs to evaluate and deploy safe treatment methods specifically designed to be effective in local water environments.
Responding to aquatic invasive species, such as the golden mussel, requires coordinated action across disciplines and agencies to protect critical water infrastructure. Biologists like Valerie Goodwin are helping water managers understand where risks to water delivery are greatest, and those early lessons are already strengthening monitoring, coordination, and infrastructure protection statewide to safeguard the water systems that communities, agriculture, and essential services depend on.
For more information on golden mussel vulnerability assessment, treatment, and mitigation, contact us.