The Clubshell Mussel

The federally endangered clubshell mussel, Pleurobema clava, (pictured here) and the northern riffleshell mussel, Epioblasma torulosa rangiana, have disappeared from 95 percent of their historic ranges. Both still have thriving populations in French Creek.

Freshwater mussels are vital to the health of French Creek. Mussels live in the creek bottom, and filter the water to eat and breathe. Mussels were once common throughout eastern North America, but are now much more rare due to water pollution and the alteration of their habitat by dams and dredging. French Creek is a special place for mussels; more freshwater mussel species (25) live in French Creek than in any other stream in Pennsylvania and the northeast United States.

French Creek is healthy, but it's fragile. You can tell it's healthy because you can find special wildlife, like mussels, darters, lots of aquatic insects, reptiles and amphibians. Mussels and many fish can't live in streams that aren't healthy.

WPC's French Creek Conservation Plan is available online. Read more...

Today's photo was provided by Rob Criswell.

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