A Survey of the Mussels of the Minnesota River, 1989

The goals of this research were to gain an understanding of what mussel species exist in the Minnesota River and compare the diversity and distribution to historical data. It was determined that about 46% of the mussel species that existed in the Minnesota River in 1908 no longer can be found in its waters. The research concluded that the distribution and community composition has gone through major changes a the Minnesota River has changed over time. This may be due to new human caused stresses augmenting the already present natural stresses. The final conclusion of the report is that the mussel populations of the Minnesota River can no longer withstand commercial harvest.