A boat going through the inspection process at the Thermalito Forebay (at Lake Oroville) on Wednesday was deemed positive for the golden mussel, an invasive species that the California Department of Water Resources is trying to keep away from local waterways. Inspections began on Monday at the Forebay where boaters must go through a checkpoint where workers thoroughly check the watercraft for standing water and signs of the mussel. DWR issued a statement on Thursday that said the mussel was found on a pontoon boat. According to the statement, the boat was purchased on Wednesday morning by residents of the Oroville area. The statement said the watercraft had been away from the waters in the delta for “an unknown period.” “Staff immediately contacted the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for further inspection and decontamination,” the release from DWR said. 

Other invasive species news:

• California Department of Water Resources: News release: Golden mussels found during boat inspection at Thermalito Forebay
• Action News Now (Chico, Calif.): Boat inspections taking place at local bodies of water to stop the spread of invasive golden mussels
• Steamboat Pilot & Today (Colo.): Colorado Parks and Wildlife to add 5 watercraft cleaning stations in Northwest Colorado