Importance of a Mussel Bed Near McMillan Island, Pool 10 of the Upper Mississippi River, for Lampsilis higginsi.
Abstract
The Higgins' Eye Recovery Team (1982) evaluated 16 localities in the upper Mississippi River (UMR) for the Higgins' eye mussel, Lampsilis higginsi (Lea, 1857). The team determined that sufficient information was available to list seven as essential habitat. An additional nine locations were considered to be of secondary importance, mainly because of a lack of available information. Since the Higgins' Eye Recovery Plan was published in the early 1980s, many Government and private organizations have funded additional research on freshwater mussels in the UMR. These studies, conducted to obtain information for environmental impact statements, assessments, and permit actions, have provided information not only on L. higginsi but other species as well. The purpose of this study was to obtain information on density, community composition, species diversity, and richness at a mussel bed near McMillan Island, an area considered to be essential for L. higginsi. The McMillan Island area was evaluated by the St. Paul District as a potential site for construction of channel control structures as part of the long-term channel maintenance plan for the District. A section of the main channel near McMillan Island has required dredging in the past (Whiting 1981).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA314376
Entities
People
- Andrew C. Miller
- Barry S. Payne