Researchers rescue mussels on the Vermilion River

DANVILLE, ILLINOIS – When Vermilion River water levels fell as the Danville Dam was removed this summer, hundreds of mussels had to find their way back to the river or they would perish on the shore. Lucky for the mollusks, Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) researchers came to their rescue, moving mussels by hand into deeper water. Since the project started in mid-July, approximately 800 mussels from 21 different species were moved in a 2-mile stretch of river, including several species that are rare in Illinois.

“We had a few pleasant surprises,” said Jeremy Tiemann, INHS aquatic ecologist. “We found species that are on the state threatened and endangered lists, and others categorized as a species in greatest need of conservation.”

Read about this mussel relocation project