BPA Project Number:
BPA Project Title: FRESHWATER MUSSEL PROJECT
Contract Number:
Contract Title: FRESHWATER MUSSEL PROJECT
Performance/Budget Period: October 1, 2005 - September 31, 2006

Technical Contact Name:  Jeanette Howard
Technical Contact Title:  Project Leader
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
Department of Natural Resource
Fisheries Program
P.O. Box 638
Pendleton, OR  97801
Technical Contact Phone:  541-966-2370
Fax: 541-276-2387  
Technical Contact email: JeanetteHoward@ctuir.com

Contracting Contact Name:  Julie Burke
Contracting Contact Title:  Administrative contact
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
Department of Natural Resource
Fisheries Program
P.O. Box 638
Pendleton, OR  97801
Contracting Contact Phone:  (541) 966-2372  Fax: (541) 276-4348
Contract Contact email: julieburke@ctuir.com


Financial Contact Name:  Michelle Thompson  
Financial Contact Title:  
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
Department of Natural Resource
Fisheries Program
P.O. Box 638
Pendleton, OR  97801
Financial Contact Phone:  (541) 966-2323
Financial Contact email: michellethompson@ctuir.com

Project Description


Since its inception in 2003, the Freshwater Mussel Project of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation has conducted research designed to understand the biology and ecology of freshwater mussels. Specifically, the project has focused on three main components designed to determine: 1) the status and distribution of freshwater mussels in CTUIR Tribal lands; (2) factors controlling the distribution and abundance of mussels, and (3) whether genetic differences exist among western freshwater mussel species in the Columbia River basin. In 2006 we will continue these efforts. These activities will bring us closer to the long-term goal of the project: to restore freshwater mussels to the Umatilla River basin as part of ongoing efforts to rebuild ecosystem diversity, function, and traditional cultural opportunities in the basin.  

Freshwater mussels are vital components of intact salmonid ecosystems that have been affected directly and indirectly by dams, habitat deterioration, and declines in salmon populations. Mussels are also culturally and traditionally important to Native Americans in the region. Yet prior to this study little was known about their distribution, status, limiting factors, or population structure to guide recovery actions in the mid-Columbia river drainages. The information generated since the project's inception is essential for the conservation and restoration of freshwater mussels.

During freshwater mussel surveys conducted in 2003/4 mussels were found at all sites surveyed in the Middle and North forks of the John Day River, but at less than 10% of the sites sampled in the Umatilla River system. All three genera of mussels known for the western United States were found in the Middle Fork John Day River, and co-occurred at almost 50% of the sites sampled. In the Umatilla River, two genera were found, Anodonta and Gonidea, but only in the lower main stem and in one tributary. Live Margaritifera were not found in the Umatilla River, although historically they occurred in the system, and shell material collected in the current survey suggests they occurred in that river until very recently. Habitat degradation, including active channel change, and the decline of salmonid and other native fish populations may have contributed to the extirpation of mussels from the Umatilla River.

The distribution and composition of mussels in the Middle and North Fork John Day rivers is highly variable and patchy. Our study to date explains some of the variability by considering different spatial scales: the macro scale (from the entire length of channel down to distinct pools, riffles, and runs), meso scale (within these geomorphic units and at single cross sections), and the micro scale (local substrate type).We have found that some of the variability is clearly related to physical constraints associated with flow conditions and channel character. In short, our research has shown that geomorphologic processes influence mussel distribution at multiple scales: networkwide, reach-level, and microhabitat.

Historically, seven freshwater mussel species (three genera) were believed to occur in Oregon: the western pearlshell, Margaritifera falcata (Gould, 1850); western ridged mussel, Gonidea angulata (I. Lea, 1838); Yukon floater, Anodonta beringiana (Middendorff, 1851); California floater, Anodonta californiensis (I. Lea, 1852); western floater, Anodonta kennerlyi (I. Lea, 1860); winged floater, Anodonta nuttalliana (I. Lea, 1838); and Oregon floater, Anodonta oregonensis (I. Lea, 1838) (USFS Mollusk Database 2004, Williams et al. 1993). However, the taxonomy of the western Anodonta species is as yet unresolved.

As part of our genetics effort, we are attempting to determine if multiple lineages are represented within currently recognized genera (particularly in Anodonta). In 2004/5 (as part of this project) DNA was extracted from a number of Anodonta and mitochondrial sequence data was collected and analyzed.  Our initial results suggest the existence of population-level genetic differentiation as well as the presence of at least two divergent (but morphologically cryptic) lineages in Anodonta. At the present time, analysis of Gonidea and Margaritifera specimens is underway. This information will be critical for managers interested in maintaining, restoring, or experimenting with populations of freshwater mussels in the Umatilla and John Day drainages.  

As noted above, the data collected over the course of the Freshwater Mussel Project study, and proposed research activities for 2006 will be used to provide essential information for designing a recovery plan for freshwater mussels in the Umatilla River system which can be applied to other Columbia Basin systems.

The project has the following objectives for 2006:

1. Build on efforts to quantitatively assess the functional role of freshwater mussels in the Umatilla and Middle Fork John Day rivers;
2. Continue efforts to understand the factors controlling the distribution of mussels in the Middle Fork John Day and Umatilla rivers;
3. Continue efforts to assess the patterns of genetic diversity and divergence in freshwater mussels of the Umatilla and John Day River drainages;
4. Develop a synthesis of the state of knowledge of western mussels in the form of a booklet for distribution in the general public, policy makers, and scientists;
5. Report results to the funding agency;
6. Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and attend professional conferences.