Curious? Here’s What Divers and Biologists are Doing in the Grand River This Fall

There's going to be more activity than usual in the Grand River starting soon. Here's what's up:

Starting this week divers and biologists will be relocating mussels in the Grand River through October.

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A mussel relocation kickoff is happening at 3p.m. on Thursday August 22 at Ah-Nab-Awen Park with Mayor Rosalynn Bliss, Grand Rapids Whitewater Executive Director Matt Chapman, and project team members

Why Are Mussels in the Grand River Being Relocated?

Divers and biologists are moving mussels in the Grand River in preparation of the river restoration project, which the City of Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids Whitewater team have been planning for more than a decade.

According to the City of Grand Rapids: "The proposed river restoration project design reduces impacts to the federally endangered mussels to the greatest extent possible including relocation of these natural inhabitants."

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City officials and Grand Rapids Whitewater consulted with Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan Department of Environment, and the Great Lakes, and Energy, and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and determined that "mussel relocation through October provides the most ecological benefit prior to the anticipated start of river construction in 2025."

What Endangered Mussels are in the Grand River?

Michigan has more than 40 mussel species, of those, 18 are listed as either endangered or threatened.

According to Wood TV 8, 32 species of mussels are found in the Grand River, and 13 are endangered or threatened.

The Michigan DNR shares these are the federally protected mussels found in Michigan:

• Epioblasma torulosa rangiana (northern riffleshell)
• Epioblasma triquetra (snuffbox)
• Obovaria subrotunda (round hickorynut)
• Paetulunio fabalis (rayed bean)
• Pleurobema clava (clubshell)

There are many more on the state list of endangered species.