No straight lines in nature

Ryan

Ryan

Keeper of San Juan Secrets
I know that’s a saying. And it seems true. Except all around the lake there is about a 3’ band where there are no or limited mussels on the canyon walls. It’s a straight line on the bottom and one on the top.

I’m sure the straight line has to do with the water level. But why are the mussels gone in between?IMG_8180.jpeg
 
I had the same thought when in Lost Eden a couple weeks ago. Very strange to see the 3’ lack of mussels on the wall about 8’ above the water level. About 3549’. Sorry for the cockeyed picture. Sq
 

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Perhaps the water level changed that much during that time and new mussels weren't able to get established and then it dried off again? I don't know how long it takes for them to grow or when they are normally actively attaching and growing (is it during warm weather or cooler or doesn't it matter at all?).
 
Maybe the surface water temperature was too warm for them to attach and survive.
Did something significant happen to the lake between July 23rd and Aug 6th? That seems to be the approximate
timeframe that the "lack of mussels" on the wall appeared. Sq
 
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I am not sure if is the physical characteristics of the substrate (texture, hardness etc) or the chemical make up….but the mussels clearly prefer some rock to others. I think the bands mostly relate to how the sediment was laid down before it metamorphosed into rock. It is straight because it was level as the sediment settled…
 
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