Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: Tennessee
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

The objectives of this study are to determine the level of reduction in minimum flows that affects the behavior, growth, gametogensis, spawning and survival of freshwater mussels. Determine if mussel responses to incremental reductions in flow are of a threshold, linear, or curvilinear nature. Defining sublethal and lethal effects at various levels of flow coupled with hydraulic modeling will allow resource agencies to predict possible effects of any proposed flow reduction, and to prescribe water allocations for endangered mussels based on scientifically defensible data.