Volunteers collecting mussels in the duck pond at Westmoreland Park. By Karl Lee, Crystal Springs Partnership, July 11, 2013
On July 7-8, a crew of trained citizen-science volunteers rescued mussels from Crystal Springs Creek in Westmoreland Park, just days before the bulldozers move in to reconfigure the stream channel in this City Park. This was a combined effort, with technical expertise of the Xerces Society, funding from East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District and Metro, and coordination by the Crystal Springs Partnership. Each day, we had over a dozen volunteers, including neighbors, students, teachers, scientists, and other watershed enthusiasts.
On July 7-8, a crew of trained citizen-science volunteers rescued mussels from Crystal Springs Creek in Westmoreland Park, just days before the bulldozers move in to reconfigure the stream channel in this City Park. This was a combined effort, with technical expertise of the Xerces Society, funding from East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District and Metro, and coordination by the Crystal Springs Partnership. Each day, we had over a dozen volunteers, including neighbors, students, teachers, scientists, and other watershed enthusiasts.
Searching the streambed. These native mussels, called Floaters, or Anodonta are an important part of the stream ecology. Why? They filter stream water, improve the exchange of oxygen and nutrients between the streambed and the creek, and provide food for creatures large and small in the creek. Although mussels don’t have legs (or thumbs), early in their life-cycle they hitchhike on gills of fish. In part, we know the extent of fish in the creek because we have a thriving mussel population.
Placing rescued mussels in streambed at Union Manor. Mussels were rescued from the southern end of the (soon-to-be former) duck pond and the Lambert Street bridge at the southern edge of Westmoreland Park. Basket-like scoopers, a periscope-like viewing tube, and just plain searching the streambed revealed hundreds of thumb-size to palm-size mussels.
Measuring and tagging mussels. Each mussel was measured (to estimate age) and fitted with a small numbered tag. Some were even equipped with an electronic sensor to more easily find them again. Mussels were then quickly transported upstream away from the construction project, and relocated in marked transects near Westmoreland Union Manor, where they will be monitored for several years for survival and movement. Restored reaches at Westmoreland Park will be monitored to assess mussel re-colonization. We anticipate native fish will bring the mussels back!
Kid-size mussels get to go too! We (novice and experts alike) were surprised to find the quantity as well as the age range of mussels we did. Also, we found them mostly in the free-flowing stream, and very few in the still water of the duck pond. This means they are doing well in the Creek, and the prospects are good for native mussel families once again thriving in Crystal Springs Creek in Westmoreland Park.
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