Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Muddy water freshwater mussels

Anyone with experience using freshwater mussels in California to enhance water clarity? (in the midwest, alien pest zebra mussels spectacularly clear water--at the cost of virtually all zoo- & phytoplankton.) I know these critters are native to year-round streams, but draw a blank when I ask the academic experts about pond transplantation. Any advice? Many thanks, billy abe.

Most species found in streams will not thrive in still waters of a pond. Some species are adapted to lake and pond life. BE very careful about collecting and transporting mussels; do some research. Check your state's fish and game laws. Many are endangered, federally protected, and collecting & possessing is illegal.

The academic experts that you have been talking to are not true experts. Expert malacologists (freshwater mussel experts) will know answers to your questions. Talk to the proper advisors. I think there are Malacology websites. Someone there could probably help you.

Quite an irony...man dumps toxins into a stream, man notices species are endangered, man creates laws preventing man from relocating endangered species to clean protected areas.

Better yet, the common man who continues to pay hard earned dollars to save endangered species has probably never seen them.

Mother Nature can not be happy.

Apologies for not replying earlier to good responses. After cleaning out our old pond with dozer & excavator, then adding a small sediment pond upstream from the seasonal creek which fills it, (plus some bankside plantings),I'm thinking I'll wait a season for the new biology to stabilize & do its work for water clarity.
I have a solar-powered aeration system and a biofilter deep-water recirculating system in place to help out. But I am still wondering about freshwater mussels and have not found anyone yet who has used them. Any first-hand experience would be most appreciated.
Thank you all. billy abe.