“We’ve found a lot of mussels in the creek, so we now know that it is probably healthy enough,” Bolli said. There’s also exotic species like zebra mussels, which attach to almost any hard surface including native mussels. Zebra mussels reproduce so quickly and abundantly that the native mussels’ movement, feeding and reproductive behaviors are stifled. The report states that the implementation of the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act have contributed to the recovery of some species. Through partnering with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Bolli said Homestead plans to reintroduce fatmucket and plain pocketbook mussels.

Source: Daily Sun July 05, 2020 05:26 UTC