Golden mussels are an invasive aquatic species that disrupt ecosystems, filter away nutrients and damage shorelines – and they were recently spotted on a boat trying to enter Lake Tahoe. … This season, boating in California’s Folsom Lake State Recreation Area requires a mandatory 30-day quarantine or decontamination, while other water bodies like Shasta Lake do not require any pre-launch inspection. No matter the protocol, the spread of the golden mussel has raised alarm among scientists and advocates, and its spotting in the Tahoe basin is no small scare. … In the past, some marinas shut down completely after the discovery of a new invasive species – this happened in Lake Mead after the 2007 introduction of zebra mussels. Because Tahoe is so intertwined with outdoor recreation, though, enhanced enforcements need to be thoughtfully crafted.