Vital freshwater mussels are threatened, DNR says

With more than 50 species calling the lakes and waterways of Minnesota home, the freshwater mussel is considered by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to be one of the most overlooked animals in the state. However, its livelihood in the state as well as the nation is at risk, as the DNR recognizes the freshwater mussel as one of the most endangered creatures not only in Minnesota, but all of North America. “Not all of them are at risk, but a large percentage are,” DNR mussel program supervisor Kate Holcomb said. “We have 51 species in Minnesota, and numbers have declined for 33 of them.” Mussels act like freshwater coral reef DNR officials refer to freshwater mussels as “filter feeders.” “While they're sitting there down at the bottom of lakes and rivers, they are spending a ton of time just filtering the water for their food, which is like small particles in the water, like bacteria, algae, fungus, other small organisms,” Holcomb said.

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