MOLLUSKS
Deep River Mussel Monitoring
by Emilia Omerberg, Central Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Biologist
A batch of state listed mussels were translocated in October of 2023 from the tail- race of Highfalls Dam at the Hwy 22 crossing of the Deep River to a site down- stream of Ramseur Dam near the Brooklyn Avenue crossing of the same river. High- falls Dam has been proposed for removal, so an effort was made to move a portion of the diverse and abundant mussel community in this location out of harm’s way. The translocation of these species will help avoid potential impacts from sediment releases if the dam is removed. A subset of the animals were PIT- (Passive Integrated Transponder) and Hallprint- tagged to aid biologists in monitoring and detecting the animals in the future. Staff from the Central Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity program visited the Ramseur site in early June of 2024 to check on the relocated mussels. Eight of 13 tagged Yellow Lampmussels were detected and ~13 of 84 Brook Floaters were detected. All located animals were alive, with the exception of one Brook Floater shell. The fate of the remaining mussels is currently unknown; due to the short detection range of a PIT tag, it is extremely difficult to locate animals if they have moved outside of the original placement area. Further snorkel surveys are needed to search a larger area at this site to see if additional animals can be found.
BRENA JONES/NCWRC
BRENA JONES/NCWRC
Yellow Lampmussel (top) and Brook Floater (bottom) showing Hallprint tags.
Carolina Creekshell Stocking
by Mike Perkins, Foothills Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Biologist
Top Right: NCWRC Biologist Michael Perkins holds a hand full of propagated Carolina Creekshell. Bottom Right: NCWRC biologists Sierra Benfield and Kelsey Mansell stock Carolina Creekshell in Waxhaw Creek. T he Carolina Creekshell is a small mussel endemic to the Carolinas. It is state listed as Endangered in NC, and since 2019, NCWRC has focused on propagating this mussel and restoring populations where possible. In the Catawba River basin, few remnant populations remain near the SC Stateline. In October of 2024, NCWRC was able to aug- ment existing populations in Waxhaw and Price Mill creeks in Union County. Foothills Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity biologists and the Marion Conservation Aquaculture Center released 2,641 juveniles to help boost populations.
MICHAEL PERKINS/NCWRC
MICHAEL PERKINS/NCWRC
68 2024 Wildlife Diversity Program Annual Report
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