Endangered mussels found in Iowa River near site of Park Road bridge project

The discovery of an endangered mussel species living near the proposed relocation site of the Park Road bridge in Iowa City will likely delay one of the city's top flood mitigation projects.

As part of a larger environment assessment required before the city can obtain proper permits from the United States Fish and Wildlife, a survey of mussels living 50 feet across and 50 feet north and south of the existing bridge had to be completed.

For the last two days, Helms and Associates of Bellevue, Iowa, has been digging around in the river's bedrock trying to determine the presence of Iowa's endangered pistol grip mussel.

Thursday afternoon, the company found one – the first since beginning its survey work for the city.

“It's alive,” Helms said. “This specimen is quite old.”

Helms estimates the female pistrol grip mussel is about 20 years old. More mussels could be living in or around that same area.

“We will try very carefully to map out the area where we think it could be,” Helms said.

Upon finding the mussel, Helms called the Department of Natural Resources who indicated it wanted the mussel moved to a location that will not be affected by the upcoming bridge construction.

Melissa Clow, special project manager for Iowa City, said the city will plan to relocate all of the pistol grip mussels before they begin work on the new Park Road Bridge. The extra work will cost the city more money and take more time.

Clow said the city expected the endangered mussel would be found and that its discovery is actually a good thing.

“In past years, this stretch of the Iowa River has been considered ‘impaired”, so finding the mussels (any of them, not just the pistolgrip) is a good sign of a healthy river,” Clow wrote in an email sent to The Gazette.

The mussel survey will cost up to $18,000. The entire environmental assessment is expected to be finished within one year.

The discovery of an endangered mussel species living near the proposed relocation site of the Park Road bridge in Iowa City will likely delay one of the city's top flood mitigation  projects.

As part of a larger environment assessment required before the city can obtain proper permits from the United States Fish and Wildlife, a survey of mussels living 50 feet across and 50 feet north and south of the existing bridge had to be completed.

For the last two days, Helms and Associates of Bellevue, Iowa, has been digging around in the river's bedrock trying to determine the presence of Iowa's endangered pistol grip mussel.

Thursday afternoon, the company found one – the first since beginning its survey work for the city.

“It's alive,” Helms said.  “This specimen is quite old.”

Helms estimates the female pistrol grip mussel is about 20 years old.  More mussels could be living in or around that same area.

“We will try very carefully to map out  the area where we think it could be,” Helms said.

Upon finding the mussel, Helms called the Department of Natural Resources who indicated it wanted the mussel moved to a location that will not be affected by the upcoming bridge construction.

Melissa Clow, special project manager for Iowa City, said the city will plan to relocate all of the pistol grip mussels before they begin work on the new Park Road Bridge.  The extra work will cost the city more money and take more time.

Clow said the city expected the endangered mussel would be found and that its discovery is actually a good thing.

“In past years, this stretch of the Iowa River has been considered ‘impaired”, so finding the mussels (any of them, not just the pistolgrip) is a good sign of a healthy river,” Clow wrote in an email sent to SourceMedia Group News.

The mussel survey will cost up to $18,000.  The entire environmental assessment is expected to be finished within one year.The discovery of an endangered mussel species living near the proposed relocation site of the Park Road bridge in Iowa City will likely delay one of the city's top flood mitigation projects.

As part of a larger environment assessment required before the city can obtain proper permits from the United States Fish and Wildlife, a survey of mussels living 50 feet across and 50 feet north and south of the existing bridge had to be completed.

For the last two days, Helms and Associates of Bellevue, Iowa, has been digging around in the river's bedrock trying to determine the presence of Iowa's endangered pistol grip mussel.

Thursday afternoon, the company found one – the first since beginning its survey work for the city.

“It's alive,” Helms said. “This specimen is quite old.”

Helms estimates the female pistrol grip mussel is about 20 years old. More mussels could be living in or around that same area.

“We will try very carefully to map out the area where we think it could be,” Helms said.

Upon finding the mussel, Helms called the Department of Natural Resources who indicated it wanted the mussel moved to a location that will not be affected by the upcoming bridge construction.

Melissa Clow, special project manager for Iowa City, said the city will plan to relocate all of the pistol grip mussels before they begin work on the new Park Road Bridge. The extra work will cost the city more money and take more time.

Clow said the city expected the endangered mussel would be found and that its discovery is actually a good thing.

“In past years, this stretch of the Iowa River has been considered ‘impaired”, so finding the mussels (any of them, not just the pistolgrip) is a good sign of a healthy river,” Clow wrote in an email sent to SourceMedia Group News.

The mussel survey will cost up to $18,000. The entire environmental assessment is expected to be finished within one year.