Project Description
Freshwater mussels are critical to riverine and stream ecosystems, as they help purify the water as they filter feed on algae, plankton and detritus. They are also an important food source for many species including river otters, raccoons, and muskrats. Freshwater mussel populations in decline due to habitat loss and degradation, alterations in water flow, intense flooding, the loss of host fish, pollution and disease. Mussels are frequently under-surveyed, since it requires a high level of expertise and resources to locate and identify mussels.
The Raritan River watershed is home to several state-listed and at-risk mussel species, including the brook floater, triangle floater and eastern lampmussel. There are also historic records of green floater, an at-risk species that is currently under candidate review for listing under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. To increase the understanding of the freshwater mussel species present, the Cornell-Dubilier Electronics Trustees are facilitating the expansion of mussel surveys in the North Branch Raritan River, Lamington River, and Stony Brook. Part of this effort will include habitat assessments and determining and potentially implementing appropriate restoration actions that may benefit imperiled mussel species. The use of Environmental DNA (eDNA) as a tool to detect and monitor freshwater mussel populations will also be explored as part of this project.
Restoration Land Ownership
County or Municipal; NGO; Private; State
Parties Implementing Restoration
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
DOI Project Representatives
Fish and Wildlife Service