On Friday, Lake Tahoe watercraft inspectors found invasive golden mussels on a boat at the Alpine Meadows inspection station in California.
According to officials, this is the first interception of the new invasive species by Lake Tahoe inspectors since the mussels were detected for the first time in North America in the Sacramento area in October 2024.
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) and the Tahoe Resource Conservation District strengthened inspection routines in March of this year in response to the discovery in October.
Inspectors at the Alpine Meadows station conducted an initial decontamination of the 46-foot vessel, which is undergoing further inspection and decontamination until it is deemed risk-free. Watercraft Inspection Program managers are coordinating with Nevada and California agencies and continue to share information on all detections with agencies in both states and the western U.S.
"Golden mussels pose an extreme threat to Lake Tahoe and the waters of the region and it is critical that everyone stay vigilant and always 'Clean, Drain, and Dry' all watercraft and equipment when visiting new areas," said Dennis Zabaglo, Aquatic Invasive Species Program Manager for the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.
Since the October discovery, golden mussels have been found as far north as Bakersfield through connected water systems.
For more information about inspections and how to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species, visit the Tahoe Boat Inspections website.
