An Investigation of Mussel Resources in Selected Bayous, Northerwestern Mississippi, 1999 and 2000
Abstract
This report summarizes results of a mussel survey in Cassidy, Hopson, Moore, and Opossum Bayous in northwestern Mississippi in 1999 and 2000. The survey was conducted to search for common and uncommon mussels at locations in the river where either channel maintenance or dredging could be required. The U.S. Army Engineer District, Vicksburg, is tasked with maintaining bayous, small streams, and rivers in northwestern Mississippi. Recently, many have started to fill in with vegetation and sediments, and water conveyance is low. Water flow could be improved with maintenance dredging in selected reaches using a hydraulic pipeline, dragline, or clamshell dredge. Dredged material would be placed along the bank or at previously approved disposal areas. Proposed dredging, disposal of material, and related activities could negatively affect freshwater mussels (Family: Unionidae), a resource with economic, ecological, and cultural value. In medium- to large-sized rivers, these organisms usually reach their highest density in shallow water close to shore and outside the navigation channel. They are most common in sand/gravel substratum that is kept relatively free of silt with moderate- to high-velocity water, 0.2 to 0.5 rn/sec. Mussels are virtually nonmotile, require a fish host to successfully reproduce, and feed by filtering organic matter out of the water column. Shells of many species were used to make buttons before the advent of plastics; today shells of certain species are used to produce cultured pearls. Williams et al. listed nearly 300 species of freshwater mussels in this country; 71.7 percent were considered to be endangered, threatened, or of special concern.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA395883
Entities
People
- Andrew C. Miller
- Barry S. Payne
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center