Golden mussels (Limnoperna fortunei) are no longer a distant or theoretical threat. Since their detection in 2024, these highly invasive mussels have moved through California’s interconnected water systems that support millions of residents and vast agricultural regions. For water agencies, the implications extend beyond invasive species management. Golden mussels introduce a new layer of infrastructure
The Friant Water Authority (FWA) has approved a contract to work with Dudek on a comprehensive golden mussel response plan to address the growing infestation in the Friant‑Kern Canal, an effort highlighted in The Porterville Recorder. Golden mussels reproduce rapidly and attach to canal walls, pipelines, pumps, and screens. Unmanaged, they can impair or obstruct recaptured water systems. Addressing the Threat from Vulnerability Assessment through Engineering Design
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
