Lack of Evidence For Successful Freshwater Mussel Reintroduction in the Mill Creek

Abstract

Record ID: 229

Award(s): Excellence in Research Communication

Program Affiliation: Capstone

Presentation Type: Poster

Abstract: In the Fall of 2018, three freshwater mussel species were reintroduced to the Mill Creek. These species (Lampsilis siliquoidea, Lasmigona complanate, and Pyganodon grandis) were safely transported from the Miami River in Williamsburg  and reintroduced into two locations in the Mill Creek (Mill Creek Alliance, 2018). The restoration of the Mill Creek has been a near decade long process to increase biodiversity and decrease local pollutants. Efforts such as removal of dams to create natural riffles have been conducted to increase water flow and expand biodiversity. Although the reason for their original extinction in the Mill Creek is unknown, it can be speculated that factors such as pollution, erosion, groundwater drawdown, and channel modification all played a significant roll in harming the mussels (High, 2018). In this study, we  aimed to survey the Mill Creek to assess the status of Lampsilis siliquoidea, Lasmigona complanate, and Pyganodon grandis. Based on our findings we were able to make conclusions of the status of freshwater mussels and the overall biodiversity within the areas we surveyed. These findings yield a significant indicator for the status of Mill Creek restoration.