Unique Presentation Identifier:
64
Program Type
Undergraduate
Faculty Advisor
Kyler Hecke
Document Type
Presentation
Location
Face-to-face
Start Date
9-4-2026 11:00 AM
End Date
9-4-2026 11:30 AM
Abstract
Freshwater mussels are one of the most threatened taxonomic groups globally, with less than 32% of North American taxa considered secure. In Arkansas, over half of the state’s 85 species are endangered, threatened, or of special concern. Small impoundments may contribute to these declines through reduced hydrological connectivity and the resulting decline of fish community movement. This study examines the effects of Tri-County Lake, a small impoundment of Caney Creek in southern Arkansas, on mussel abundance and diversity. In total, eight sites were surveyed upstream, within, and downstream of the impoundment across various habitat types. A timed-search approach utilizing scuba and grubbing methods was used for sampling live mussels. In total, 210 individuals were found across 11 different species. The most common species found was toxolasma texasiense (Texas lilliput) with a total of 77 individuals. This data is used to evaluate the possibility of inadvertent mussel stocking through fish mediated glochidia transport. By comparing mussel community structure across impounded and free-flowing reaches, this study aims to clarify the effect of small impoundments on freshwater mussel assemblages and connectivity within streams.
Recommended Citation
Estes, Trakker, "Assessing the Effect of a Human-made Reservoir on the Mussel Community in Caney Creek" (2026). ATU Scholars Symposium. 29.
https://orc.library.atu.edu/atu_rs/2026/2026/29
Assessing the Effect of a Human-made Reservoir on the Mussel Community in Caney Creek
Face-to-face
Freshwater mussels are one of the most threatened taxonomic groups globally, with less than 32% of North American taxa considered secure. In Arkansas, over half of the state’s 85 species are endangered, threatened, or of special concern. Small impoundments may contribute to these declines through reduced hydrological connectivity and the resulting decline of fish community movement. This study examines the effects of Tri-County Lake, a small impoundment of Caney Creek in southern Arkansas, on mussel abundance and diversity. In total, eight sites were surveyed upstream, within, and downstream of the impoundment across various habitat types. A timed-search approach utilizing scuba and grubbing methods was used for sampling live mussels. In total, 210 individuals were found across 11 different species. The most common species found was toxolasma texasiense (Texas lilliput) with a total of 77 individuals. This data is used to evaluate the possibility of inadvertent mussel stocking through fish mediated glochidia transport. By comparing mussel community structure across impounded and free-flowing reaches, this study aims to clarify the effect of small impoundments on freshwater mussel assemblages and connectivity within streams.