Freshwater Mussels | Xerces Society

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Freshwater Mussels

A scientist holding four freshwater mussels

New Western Mussel Atlas Searches for Disappearing Keystone Species

26. June 2025

An underwater photo showing the bottom of a river and above it in the hazy water small brown fish. The river bottom is made of dark, rounded rocks, some large, some small, surrounded by pale brown sand. In the sand can be seen dozens of freshwater mussels. The mussels are oval shaped and very dark, almost black. The two halves of their shells are slightly open, showing the paler, soft flesh of the animal.

The Merit of Mussels

14. October 2021

A freshwater mussel tucked between rocks. The mussel is slightly open, showing the mass of fingerlike projections that cover the hole where it sucks in river water.

Working from the (river) bottom up to conserve the western ridged mussel

17. August 2020

Close up view of freshwater mussels filtering water.

Are Freshwater Mussels in Hot Water?

13. December 2018

A firefighter sprays water from a bridge onto the burning Cuyahoga River in this historical photo, in black and white..

A firefighter sprays water from a bridge onto the burning Cuyahoga River in this historical photo, in black and white..

Reflections and Exhortations on the Anniversary of the Clean Water Act

18. October 2018

A bumble bee sits atop a conical spire of small white flowers.

The Endangered Species Act Needs Your Help!

29. August 2018

Leafcutter bee on a red and yellow blanketflower.

10 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day

20. April 2018

Two women look into an insect net to see whether they have captured a bumble bee. The net has a long white bag. The woman on the left is older, with brown hair tucked under a grey hat. Her t-shirt is purple and white. The other women is younger and has red-blonde hair pulled back into a bun. She wears a red t-shirt with the words Nebraska Bumble Bee Atlas.

Unblinded by Science

17. April 2018

A marsh that is reflecting the deep blue of the sky is ringed by powerlines and neighborhoods.

Scientists Urge Action to Protect Waters from Neonicotinoid Insecticides

13. March 2018