Survey of Native Freshwater Mussel Diversity and Survivorship After Reintroduction in Cub Creek, Homestead National Historical Park: 2020–2024
Oetterer AP and Bolli JM. 2025. Survey of Native Freshwater Mussel Diversity and Survivorship After Reintroduction in Cub Creek, Homestead National Historical Park: 2020–2024. Science Report. NPS/SR—2025/365. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/2316021
Freshwater mussels are one of the most endangered taxonomic groups in North America, with native mussels having undergone severe losses in the Midwest due to land conversion, loss of host fish, threats from invasive mussels, and hydrological alterations. Nebraska was historically home to 30 species of freshwater mussels, but only about a third of those are currently considered stable in the state. Cub Creek is a tributary of the Big Blue River and runs through Homestead National Historical Park (HOME) in southeastern Nebraska. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has been pursuing the hatchery propagation of two native mussel species for reintroduction. Cub Creek was identified as a location to reintroduce the extirpated species. National Park Service staff and volunteers conducted surveys to characterize freshwater mussel populations in Cub Creek from 2020 to 2024. This resulted in the collection of 2,330 individuals representing ten species. Mapleleaf consistently had the highest relative abundances. Additionally, plain pocketbook and fatmucket mussels were reintroduced in 2020 and restocked in the subsequent three years. A subset of mussels each year were fitted with Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags to allow for recapture of individuals and therefore, evaluation of their growth and survival within reintroduction habitats. Surviving mussels demonstrated significant growth rates, with both species doubling shell length within four years. Fatmucket mussels had higher survival rates than plain pocketbook mussels. This project highlights the potential for successful mussel restoration in Nebraska streams and underscores the importance of continued long-term monitoring.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Oetterer, Alexis; Bolli, Jesse
- Date of Issue
- 2025-12
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- DOI
- 10.36967/2316021
- Units
- HOME , NRSS
- Keywords
- Cub Creek, fatmucket, freshwater mussels, Homestead National Historical Park, mark-recapture, mussel restoration, PIT tag, plain pocketbook, prairie streams, reintroduction, restoration, Unionidae, unionids