Chesapeake Bay Watershed Region Freshwater Mussel Partnership
The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Region Freshwater Mussel Partnership is a voluntary affiliation of stakeholders drawn by our interest in freshwater mussels to:
- Advance and promote Conservation & Restoration; and,
- Evaluate Water Quality best management practices (BMPs) to lessen excess nutrients and sediment in tributaries to the Bay.
Interest in freshwater mussels throughout the Chesapeake Bay Watershed is growing and for good reasons, such as:
- Freshwater mussels are among North America’s and the Bay Region’s most endangered group of organisms
- Freshwater mussels have unique life strategies linked to individual fish species
- Much like benthic macroinvertebrates, freshwater mussels are indicators of existing water quality conditions in a stream
- As they feed, freshwater mussels transfer suspended matter from the water column to the stream bed
- Freshwater mussels are ecosystem engineers, capable of modifying aquatic habitat to make conditions more suitable for themselves and other organisms
Mussel sampling during 2025 Mussel & Buffer Symposium in the James River in Goochland, VA (August 12, 2025) 
Freshwater mussels found while sampling James River during symposium (August 12, 2025)
News & Announcements
Freshwater Mussel Nutrient Reduction Literature Review and Assessment Report (July 2026): Prepared by Tetra Tech for USEPA and PADEP. This report lays a foundation for possible nutrient-reduction crediting in the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load framework based on mussel-mediated nutrient cycling processes. The report draws attention to dedicated funding needs and opportunities to expand basic science and research activities regarding current mussel populations throughout the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
July 21, 2026
Freshwater Mussel Science Symposium Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Tuesday, August 11, 2026: 9 am to 5 pm
VCU Rice Rivers Center, Charles City, VA
Free registration required by August 5, 2026
July 21, 2026
Champions Of Potomac River Mussels Summon A ‘Science Barge’: article on Potomac Riverkeeper Network expanding its mussel-growing operations (The Baynet/Bay Journal)
July 20, 2026
Chesapeake Bay Foundation, in partnership with the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, received a National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Chesapeake Watershed Investment for Landscape Defense (WILD) grant with over $240,000 of the award devoted to freshwater mussel restoration activities in the Pamunkey River Watershed (February 2026)
February 13, 2026
Long-missing mussels returned to South Anna River: article on removal of 200-year old Ashland Dam paves way for return of freshwater mussels to Virginia’s South Anna River (VPM/NPR)
June 11, 2026
Meetings & Events Calendar
Partnership Steering Committee Meeting 2026 Schedule:
Monthly on the 4th Friday from 9-10 am(virtual)
Resources
Freshwater Mussel Publications (link to Zotero website)
Lower Susquehanna Freshwater Mussel Survey Video (link to YouTube)
Archives
- Newsletters
- Steering Committee Meeting Summaries
- Partnership Meeting Summaries
Get Involved!
Connect with the Partnership
Benefits include: join our mailing list and stay informed about Partnership initiatives, support an Action Team, meet and network with colleagues, attend our annual Symposium
About Us
The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Region Freshwater Mussel Partnership evolved mainly from the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Science & Technical Advisory Committee workshop (March 5-6, 2020): Incorporating Freshwater Mussels into the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Efforts and the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation and state of Maryland’s workshop (April 13, 2022): Broaden and Enhance Regional Freshwater Mussel Partnerships in the Chesapeake Bay.
In 2023, staff from the Susquehanna River Basin Commission transitioned to the role of coordinators for the Regional Freshwater Mussel Partnership. As coordinators, SRBC staff: facilitate communication among the Partnership members, Action Teams, and Steering Committees and with pertinent elements of the Chesapeake Bay Program; schedule Partnership Steering Committee meetings; coordinate an Annual Symposium; and manage resources and information for this web page.
Contact
For more information or questions, please email:
- Jamie Shallenberger ([email protected])
- Ellyn Campbell ([email protected])
- Tyler Shenk ([email protected])
Monitoring & Protection Program
Susquehanna River Basin Commission
4423 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110
717-238-0423 X 1115
Partners
For more information about Freshwater Mussels, visit our Partnership organizations' websites:
Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
Department of Energy & Environment
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Partnership for the Delaware Estuary
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission