Freshwater Mussels are one of the few animals that improve our water quality. They live in many streams and rivers, and they filter algae, bacteria and other small particles in the water, making it cleaner for drinking, and providing for recreational opportunities like swimming and fishing. When freshwater mussels are present in a river it generally means the ecosystem is a healthy one. Like a canary in a coalmine, they serve as an "indicator" species, as they can't tolerate poor water quality and will disappear from polluted waters. Virginia has 81 different species of mussels, with 37 species considered endangered. This is a short video clip from the 3rd Annual Mussel Festival held recently in Bath County to educate landowners and the public about the importance of these animals to our rivers and streams.

Clip length: 04:30