"showing off our mussels" | the penobscot river ecology mural
Qahaksok (quahog clams) by Keyana Pardilla -- Bangor, ME
About the Project
We are collaborating with scientists and artists at the University of Maine to create a mural in Bangor highlighting the importance of freshwater mussels, migratory fish, and river ecosystems. Installation is planned for early Summer 2025 near the Penobscot River waterfront.
Why are mussels important?
Freshwater mussels improve water quality and clarity by filtering out contaminants (like E. coli) (Ismail et al. 2016). They act like aquarium filters but in nature, keeping rivers "clean"!
However, 70% of freshwater mussel species are imperiled and their declines lead to increased turbidity (suspended sediment) in waterways (Williams et al. 1993; Tiemann 2016). These declines have many implications, including losing biodiversity, impeding the ability of predators to see clearly, and leading to increased loads of bacteria over time.
Despite their importance, freshwater mussels aren't well known. In fact, lack of public knowledge is the 2nd biggest challenge conservation managers face in protecting these species, secondary only to limited funding (L. Bouska et al. 2018).
"Water Town" by Alexis Iammarino -- Rockland, ME
"Woods to Salmon Mural" by Peter Walls and David Hurley -- Bucksport, ME
Why are mIGRATORY FISH important?
Migratory fish are incredibly important to people and ecosystems. We rely on migratory fish for recreational opportunities, food, and as a cultural resource, particularly for tribal nations (Ashley et al. 2023).
Migratory fish travel thousands of miles between ocean and river habitats to spawn, or reproduce. These fish face a lot of challenges during these journeys, including dams that they cannot pass which can lead to massive declines (Zydlewski et al. 2023).
Two dams were removed from the Penobscot River in 2012 and 2013. These removals have increased migratory fish catch dramatically and endangered populations appear to be recovering (Zydlewski et al. 2023). This is a huge success story that deserves to be memorialized!
The Mural Location
We are working with the City of Bangor to paint all four sides of the Kenduskeag Pump Station at the corner of Washington & Broad Streets in downtown. The building is on the confluence of the Kenduskeag stream and the Penobscot river, habitats that are home to three endangered migratory fish and three threatened mussel species. The building is also in a public park that is well trafficked and is visible from the bus station and the waterfront!
Kenduskeag Pump Station -- Bangor, ME
project leads - Contact us!
Jill Fedarick
Ph.D. Student
Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology
University of Maine
Susan Smith
Graduate Coordinator of Intermedia Programs & Associate Professor
Intermedia Program
University of Maine
Christina Murphy
Assistant Unit Leader & Assistant Professor
U.S. Geological Survey, Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit & University of Maine
Project Sponsors
(photo by Mark McCollough)
Yellow Lampmussel Sponsor
Beth Swartz
INVOLVED STUDENTS
INTERMEDIA STUDENTS
Elle Azul Duncombe Mills
Emily Whittemore
Matt Liderbach
Jenna Davenport
Alex Turanski
Samantha Grimwood
Shahab Andarva
James Leblanc
ECOLOGY STUDENTS
Harrison Goldspiel
Kara SantaLucia
Alyssa Arscott
Veronica Badman
Grace Bartlett
Sam Allen
Sequoia Dixson
Aurooba Shafquat
Ben VanderStouw
Katie Simmons
Kaleigh Kogler
Salem Ermish
Marissa Wood
Kathleen Spear
Jordan Ramos
Rose Gellman
Anakin Calabrese
Ava Pilon
Kenny Farris
Annie Wolfenden
Monica Miles
Percy Ulsamer
Clara Flores
References
Ashley, M., Murillas, A., Muench, A., Marta-Pedroso, C., Rodwell, L., Rees, S., Rendle, E., Bašić, T., Copp, G.H., Díaz, E. and Nachón, D.J., 2023. An evidence base of ecosystems services provided by diadromous fish in the European Atlantic Area. Ecosystem Services, 64, p.101559.
Ismail, N. S., J. P. Tommerdahl, A. B. Boehm, and R. G. Luthy. 2016. Escherichia coli Reduction by Bivalves in an Impaired River Impacted by Agricultural Land Use. Environmental Science & Technology 50:11025–11033.
L. Bouska, K., A. Rosenberger, S. E. McMurray, G. A. Lindner, and K. N. Key. 2018. State-Level Freshwater Mussel Programs: Current Status and a Research Framework to Aid in Mussel Management and Conservation. Fisheries 43:345–360.
Tiemann, J. S., M. J. Dreslik, S. J. Baker, and C. A. Phillips. 2016. Assessment of a Short-Distance Freshwater Mussel Relocation as Viable Tool During Bridge Construction Projects. Freshwater Mollusk Biology and Conservation 19:80.
Williams, J. D., M. L. Warren Jr., K. S. Cummings, J. L. Harris, and R. J. Neves. 1993. Conservation Status of Freshwater Mussels of the United States and Canada. Fisheries 18:6–22.
Zydlewski, J., S. Coghlan, C. Dillingham, G. Figueroa-Muñoz, C. Merriam, S. Smith, R. Smith, D. Stich, S. Vogel, K. Wilson, and G. Zydlewski. 2023. Seven dam challenges for migratory fish: insights from the Penobscot River. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 11.