huge freshwater mussel die-off

[Bikes]

I posted earlier about my observation of fewer mussels in Powell then tripped across this article :

https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/scientists-seeking-cause-of-huge-freshwater-mussel-die-off

and wonder if this is possibly occurring here?

 

[Dungee]

Interesting how they see the mussels as a huge positive in that eco system.

 

[Bill Sampson]

I did some hiking in that general area about 10 years ago, and some of their most beautiful rivers are highly polluted.

 

[nzaugg]

Not all mussels are created equal. There are freshwater mussels in virtually all river systems, but they have different reproduction rates and serve different niches in their ecosystems. There were/are mussels in Lake Powell besides the quagga we are dealing with now. The mussels referenced in the article are highly sensitive to ammonia and pH fluctuations in the river and will suffer high mortality at ammonia concentrations that most fish don't have a problem with. As a result, EPA has issued recommendations for lower ammonia limits in freshwater systems. However, the mussels present in Utah waterways are different and will be sensitive to different water composition.

 

[KYKevin]

We use to get mussel's for catfish bait in Ky, and some people eat them. They were big, and back then, the shell's were sold to make button's. They drug chain's over them, and they would close up on the chain's. It was really big commercially, for a while. I had friend's that were making really good money for the time. I can't remember if it was Japan or China that was buying them.