United States Department of Transportation
i
Evaluating Sedimentation Impacts to Freshwater Mussels
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2024-09-01
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[PDF-22.07 MB]
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Edition:Final Report (January 2021-August 2024)
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Abstract:Transportation system construction activities can cause increased suspended and redeposited solids in adjacent water systems, which may adversely impact freshwater mussels. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the impacts of suspended solids on juvenile mussels including to establish the impact thresholds, to assess the effects of sediment deposition on adult and subadult mussels, to develop a particle tracking model to understand the particle transport behavior, and to evaluate the available mussel impact mitigation practices. The research methodology includes a literature review, a survey and interview on the current sediment management practice for mussel species protection in the nation, laboratory studies, modelling development, interviews with Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) personnel, and engineering assessments. Results of the DOT surveys emphasize the need for further research to enhance understanding of the impacts of sedimentation on freshwater mussels. Laboratory experiment results suggest that (a) particles at low concentrations may benefit juveniles’ growth, while higher TSS concentrations (> 1000 mg/L) inhibited their growth; (b) adult mussels’ response to deposition were affected by burial depth, vertical water supply and flow direction, as well as mussel species, with the endangered Pink Mucket being the most vulnerable among all species tested. A one-dimensional model was developed to illustrate the spatial distribution of sediment transport, and results suggest that sedimentation varies with particle size, flow velocity and depth. A strategy for both streamside and instream best management practices was developed. The strategy incorporates lessons learned from other state DOTs and provides a link between both the mussel experiments and the modeling exercises and project site engineering.
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