|
Freshwater Mussel Mortality
|
|
"I felt a great disturbance in the force, as if thousands of voices suddenly cried out in terror, and were suddenly silenced". It is the voices of the voiceless that have fallen silent. In the neighboring Pohick Creek watershed, the shore of Woodglen Lake is littered with the remains of departed mussels, as is lies drained for dredging.
Does anyone recall seeing such a scene when Lake Accotink was drained in recent years? Have any photos? Please let us know. It would be useful to catalogue this information to create a record of freshwater mussel populations in Lake Accotink Park. Friends of Lake Accotink Park and Friends of Accotink Creek plan to collaborate on a professionally guided survey of freshwater mussel populations in Lake Accotink Park during the summer of 2015. Volunteers can enhance the value of the study by assisting the professional biologists and extending the scope of the study beyond what we can financially support. Join us!
 The wings of these little aquatic angels, who live their entire lives in service to us all, filtering and cleaning our waterways.
 Invasive Asiatic clams are among the deceased,, as well as native mussels.
 Paper Pondshell mussels (three left) are named for their thin shells. Eastern Eliptio mussels (two right) have thick, sturdy shells.
 The pearly iridescent interior of Paper Pondshell mussel shells.
 Mussel casualties number in the thousands.
 Three species - Eastern Eliptio, Paper Pondshell, and Asiatic clam
| |
|
| |
