Freshwater Mussels of Texas report, 12Jan2019
On January 12, 2019, two people did random shoreline freshwater mussel search along two of the Highland Lakes in Burnet County, Texas:
• Lakeside Park and the mouth of Backbone Creek in Marble Falls (Lake Marble Falls);
• Sunset Point on Lake LBJ (a private RV resort) west of Marble Falls (Lake LBJ); and,
• Bluebriar Park in Granite Shoals (Lake LBJ).
All three parks are located in the Colorado River basin; permission was obtained from the Sunset Point property management prior to beginning our survey. Water levels were down approximately seven feet in Lake Marble Falls, and four feet in Lake LBJ, due to an intentional drawdown by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) for dock maintenance and cleanup after historic flooding in the fall of 2018. The weather was sunny, but cold and windy.
The monitoring period at Lakeside Park (lat/long approximately 30.567, -98.279) was 9:00 – 11:30 AM and we walked approximately 1,200 feet. The substrate was mostly silt. Non-native Asian Clams were observed, but no non-native Zebra Mussels were observed. Three native freshwater mussel species were observed:
• Threeridge – 2 valves;
• Giant Floater – 4 alive, 3 shells; and,
• Tampico Pearlymussel – 2 valves.
The monitoring period at Sunset Point (lat/long approximately 30.564, -98.342) was 1:15 – 2:30 PM and we walked approximately 550 feet. The substrate was mostly sand with some gravel and a few cobbles. Non-native Asian Clams were observed, but no non-native Zebra Mussels were observed. Four native freshwater mussel species were observed:
• Giant Floater – 6 alive, 9 shells, 1 valve;
• Tampico Pearlymussel – 1 shell, 1 valve;
• Bleufer – 1 shell; and,
• Southern Mapleleaf – 2 valves.
The monitoring period at Bluebriar Park (lat/long approximately 30.593, -98.395) was 2:50 – 3:30 PM and we walked approximately 350 feet. The substrate was mostly sand with some silt and gravel. Non-native Asian Clams were observed, but no non-native Zebra Mussels were observed. Four native freshwater mussel species were observed:
• Threeridge – 1 shell;
• Giant Floater – 1 alive, 4 shells;
• Tampico Pearlymussel – 1 shell, 2 valves; and,
• Southern Mapleleaf – 2 valves.
Survey participants were Kathy and Amy. Many thanks to Marsha May for remote help with identification (texting with photos !) throughout the day.
Observations
Photos / Sounds
What
Asian Clam (Corbicula fluminea)Observer
k_mccormackDescription
Observed during a random shoreline search at Lakeside Park and the mouth of Backbone Creek in Marble Falls (Lake Marble Falls), 9:00 – 11:30 AM, located in the Colorado River basin in Burnet County, Texas. The lat/long was approximately 30.567, -98.279. We walked approximately 1,200 feet. The substrate was mostly silt. Water levels were down approximately seven feet in Lake Marble Falls due to an intentional drawdown by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) for dock maintenance and cleanup after historic flooding in the fall of 2018. The weather was sunny, but cold and windy. Numerous.
Photos / Sounds
What
Three-ridge Mussel (Amblema plicata)Observer
k_mccormackDescription
Observed during a random shoreline search at Lakeside Park and the mouth of Backbone Creek in Marble Falls (Lake Marble Falls), 9:00 – 11:30 AM, located in the Colorado River basin in Burnet County, Texas. The lat/long was approximately 30.567, -98.279. We walked approximately 1,200 feet. The substrate was mostly silt. Water levels were down approximately seven feet in Lake Marble Falls due to an intentional drawdown by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) for dock maintenance and cleanup after historic flooding in the fall of 2018. The weather was sunny, but cold and windy. 2 valves.
Photos / Sounds
What
Tampico Pearly Mussel (Cyrtonaias tampicoensis)Observer
k_mccormackDescription
Observed during a random shoreline search at Lakeside Park and the mouth of Backbone Creek in Marble Falls (Lake Marble Falls), 9:00 – 11:30 AM, located in the Colorado River basin in Burnet County, Texas. The lat/long was approximately 30.567, -98.279. We walked approximately 1,200 feet. The substrate was mostly silt. Water levels were down approximately seven feet in Lake Marble Falls due to an intentional drawdown by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) for dock maintenance and cleanup after historic flooding in the fall of 2018. The weather was sunny, but cold and windy. 2 valves.
Photos / Sounds
What
Giant Floater (Pyganodon grandis)Observer
k_mccormackDescription
Observed during a random shoreline search at Sunset Point on Lake LBJ (a private RV resort) west of Marble Falls (Lake LBJ), 1:15 – 2:30 PM, located in the Colorado River basin in Burnet County, Texas. Permission was obtained from the Sunset Point property management prior to beginning our survey. The lat/long was approximately 30.564, -98.342. We walked approximately 550 feet. The substrate was mostly sand with some gravel and a few cobbles. Water levels were down approximately four feet in Lake LBJ due to an intentional drawdown by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) for dock maintenance and cleanup after historic flooding in the fall of 2018. The weather was sunny, but cold and windy. 6 alive, 9 shells, 1 valve.
Photos / Sounds
What
Tampico Pearly Mussel (Cyrtonaias tampicoensis)Observer
k_mccormackDescription
Observed during a random shoreline search at Sunset Point on Lake LBJ (a private RV resort) west of Marble Falls (Lake LBJ), 1:15 – 2:30 PM, located in the Colorado River basin in Burnet County, Texas. Permission was obtained from the Sunset Point property management prior to beginning our survey. The lat/long was approximately 30.564, -98.342. We walked approximately 550 feet. The substrate was mostly sand with some gravel and a few cobbles. Water levels were down approximately four feet in Lake LBJ due to an intentional drawdown by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) for dock maintenance and cleanup after historic flooding in the fall of 2018. The weather was sunny, but cold and windy. 1 shell, 1 valve.
Photos / Sounds
What
Fragile Papershell (Potamilus fragilis)Observer
k_mccormackDescription
Observed during a random shoreline search at Sunset Point on Lake LBJ (a private RV resort) west of Marble Falls (Lake LBJ), 1:15 – 2:30 PM, located in the Colorado River basin in Burnet County, Texas. Permission was obtained from the Sunset Point property management prior to beginning our survey. The lat/long was approximately 30.564, -98.342. We walked approximately 550 feet. The substrate was mostly sand with some gravel and a few cobbles. Water levels were down approximately four feet in Lake LBJ due to an intentional drawdown by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) for dock maintenance and cleanup after historic flooding in the fall of 2018. The weather was sunny, but cold and windy. 1 shell.
Photos / Sounds
What
Mapleleaf (Quadrula quadrula)Observer
k_mccormackDescription
Observed during a random shoreline search at Sunset Point on Lake LBJ (a private RV resort) west of Marble Falls (Lake LBJ), 1:15 – 2:30 PM, located in the Colorado River basin in Burnet County, Texas. Permission was obtained from the Sunset Point property management prior to beginning our survey. The lat/long was approximately 30.564, -98.342. We walked approximately 550 feet. The substrate was mostly sand with some gravel and a few cobbles. Water levels were down approximately four feet in Lake LBJ due to an intentional drawdown by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) for dock maintenance and cleanup after historic flooding in the fall of 2018. The weather was sunny, but cold and windy. 2 valves.
Photos / Sounds
What
Giant Floater (Pyganodon grandis)Observer
k_mccormackDescription
Observed during a random shoreline search at Bluebriar Park in Granite Shoals (Lake LBJ), 2:50 - 3:30 PM, located in the Colorado River basin in Burnet County, Texas. The lat/long was approximately 30.593, -98.395. We walked approximately 350 feet. The substrate was mostly sand with some silt and gravel. Water levels were down approximately seven feet in Lake LBJ due to an intentional drawdown by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) for dock maintenance and cleanup after historic flooding in the fall of 2018. The weather was sunny, but cold and windy. 1 alive, 4 shells.
Photos / Sounds
What
Tampico Pearly Mussel (Cyrtonaias tampicoensis)Observer
k_mccormackDescription
Observed during a random shoreline search at Bluebriar Park in Granite Shoals (Lake LBJ), 2:50 - 3:30 PM, located in the Colorado River basin in Burnet County, Texas. The lat/long was approximately 30.593, -98.395. We walked approximately 350 feet. The substrate was mostly sand with some silt and gravel. Water levels were down approximately seven feet in Lake LBJ due to an intentional drawdown by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) for dock maintenance and cleanup after historic flooding in the fall of 2018. The weather was sunny, but cold and windy. 1 shell, 2 valves.
Photos / Sounds
What
Mapleleaf (Quadrula quadrula)Observer
k_mccormackDescription
Observed during a random shoreline search at Bluebriar Park in Granite Shoals (Lake LBJ), 2:50 - 3:30 PM, located in the Colorado River basin in Burnet County, Texas. The lat/long was approximately 30.593, -98.395. We walked approximately 350 feet. The substrate was mostly sand with some silt and gravel. Water levels were down approximately seven feet in Lake LBJ due to an intentional drawdown by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) for dock maintenance and cleanup after historic flooding in the fall of 2018. The weather was sunny, but cold and windy. 2 valves.
Photos / Sounds
What
Giant Floater (Pyganodon grandis)Observer
k_mccormackDescription
Observed during a random shoreline search at Lakeside Park and the mouth of Backbone Creek in Marble Falls (Lake Marble Falls), 9:00 – 11:30 AM, located in the Colorado River basin in Burnet County, Texas. The lat/long was approximately 30.567, -98.279. We walked approximately 1,200 feet. The substrate was mostly silt. Water levels were down approximately seven feet in Lake Marble Falls due to an intentional drawdown by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) for dock maintenance and cleanup after historic flooding in the fall of 2018. The weather was sunny, but cold and windy. 4 alive, 3 shells.
Photos / Sounds
What
Three-ridge Mussel (Amblema plicata)Observer
k_mccormackDescription
Observed during a random shoreline search at Bluebriar Park in Granite Shoals (Lake LBJ), 2:50 - 3:30 PM, located in the Colorado River basin in Burnet County, Texas. The lat/long was approximately 30.593, -98.395. We walked approximately 350 feet. The substrate was mostly sand with some silt and gravel. Water levels were down approximately seven feet in Lake LBJ due to an intentional drawdown by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) for dock maintenance and cleanup after historic flooding in the fall of 2018. The weather was sunny, but cold and windy. 1 shell.
Comments
It has been suggested that the Bleufer observation at Sunset Point be changed to Fragile Papershell, and the suggestion has been accepted. This observation is now identified as River Mussels, but if another curator approves the change to Fragile Papershell, it will be considered a research grade observation.
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