European mussel appears in state

The zebra mussel that has caused havoc in waterways around the nation has been found in California, dismaying state and federal water officials who hoped to prevent the fast-spreading mollusk from reaching the West Coast.

State officials do not know how the European mussel traveled west of the Rockies, although they suspect it may have hitched a ride on a recreational boat transported by trailer.

Dozens of zebra mussels have turned up in the last 10 days in a Hollister area reservoir that serves growers and residents in San Benito County, an agricultural area known for its walnut groves and apricot orchards. Although the mussel does not cause problems with water quality, county officials worry that it will clog irrigation lines and pumps in a region already hard hit by state water shortages.