10/15/2026
Small mussels. Big benefits for the White River!
Thank you to everyone who joined the Bureau of Water Quality (BWQ) on October 5 for its first public release of native mussels raised at the White River Freshwater Mussel Propagation Facility!
More than 300 juvenile Plain Pocketbook and Kidneyshell mussels were released at two sites, bringing our 2026 total to 439. Each mussel was marked for identification during future monitoring, and some received tiny electronic tags to help us track their survival, growth, and movement.
To date, BWQ has released 601 mussels representing three native species: Kidneyshell, Wavyrayed Lampmussel, and Plain Pocketbook. Once fully grown, these mussels could collectively filter an estimated 3.3 MILLION GALLONS of river water each year!
As they filter water, mussels capture particles such as sediment, organic matter, excess nutrients, and some pathogens. They also help support the river’s food web by making nutrients available to insects and other small aquatic animals.
We’re excited to see these native mussels back in the river, doing what they do best: helping improve water quality and supporting a healthier aquatic ecosystem.
Meanwhile, more than 2,000 additional mussels are growing at the facility. They’ll spend the winter in our care as they continue growing toward release size.
Want to learn more about these hardworking native species? Explore our past posts and follow the Muncie Sanitary District’s page for updates!
