Students return native mussels to Claytor Lake

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On November 4, students from Radford University joined scores of volunteer groups to assist in a mussel rescue that occurs every 2 years at Claytor Lake State Park. 

Pictured: student volunteers toss native mussels back into the lake, allowing continueed survival of rare and common native species

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In odd-numbered years, AEP draws down Claytor Lake by about 5 ft to allow landowners time to clean off boat docks and launches. This drawdown exposes tens of thousands of native mussels.

Pictured: student volunteers from RU biology courses and the student chapter of The Wildlife Society at RU.

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Across two crews who covered the north shoreline along Claytor Lake State Park (Dublin, VA), over 1200 native mussels were rescued. These mussels, by filter-feeding, improve the water quality of the lake.

Pictured: native paper pondshell mussel, actively filter-feeding (its "foot" is visible in the photo)

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Biology professors Dr. Lau (pictured) and Dr. Powers (not pictured) each led teams of Radford University students along the Claytor Lake State Park shoreline.

This is a great volunteer effort - glad that RU can give back to the community in this way.

Nov 6, 2023
Karen Powers
540.831.5146
biology@radford.edu