On Tuesday, August 26, paddlers gathered at the edge of the Chippewa River west of downtown Chippewa Falls to look for native mussels. It was more than just a beautiful day for a river trip. We had a good reason to gather there.

First, some background. In September 2023, the unfortunate combination of drought and hydropower dams reduced Wisconsin’s namesake river to a proverbial trickle below the last dam and led to the worst-case scenario for the river’s most vulnerable species: native freshwater mussels. Volunteers got organized and went to the Lower Wisconsin River to find stranded mussels along the river banks and move them into deeper water. Their actions may have saved thousands of these bivalve mollusks that do tremendous things for our water quality, including filtering polluted water and contributing to our rivers’ interrelated ecosystems and food chain.

Because native mussels are so important to Wisconsin, we organized a paddle trip to find them in one of Wisconsin’s other big rivers. Like the Wisconsin River, the Chippewa hosts many native species and is also highly regulated by hydro dam operations. For the trip, we brought along experts who know native mussels and this river very well. Experts included Lisie Kitchel (WDNR Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation and aquatic ecologist), Jesse Weinzinger (WDNR aquatic zoologist), and Bre Klockzien (Citizen Science and Aquatics Coordinator with Beaver Creek Reserve).

First, we gathered at the shore of the river to learn more about mussels, how to identify them, and how to inspect them in a way that doesn’t cause harm. And because some of our experts had already done surveys of this river, they knew the good spots where we would be most likely to find mussels in the river.

We set off in our kayaks and paddle boards and made several stops along the route. During one-on-one and group chats, we had the opportunity to discuss their ecology as well as the environmental threats they face, from water quality issues to hydropower impacts.. Some people found mussels right away. Others used tools like GoPros and bathyscopes to explore the underwater surface. Eventually, we all found some and got good skills for identifying mussels of all shapes and sizes.

In true River Rat style, we went out afterwards for food and drinks and talked a lot about why we love Wisconsin rivers. Everyone who participated wanted to know what more they could do to protect these delicate species and how they could get involved as volunteers to rescue native mussels the next time a drought or water shortage occurs due to hydroelectric dams.

Thanks to our experts for being so resourceful on our paddle trip down the Chippewa! To learn about our next paddle adventure, sign up for Word on the Stream email newsletters.

Speakers:

Lisie Kitchel works in the WDNR Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation. She trained as an aquatic ecologist and spends most of her time working with our native mussels (clams) throughout the lakes, rivers, and streams of the state. She loves ‘enlightening’ folks to the fascinating world of the freshwater mussel in addition to chasing mussels around the waters of Wisconsin.

Jesse Weinzinger is a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Aquatic Zoologist. He helps lead the development, evaluation, and implementation of statewide native nongame aquatic species inventory, monitoring, status assessment, and mapping programs.

Bre Klockzien is the Citizen Science and Aquatics Coordinator with Beaver Creek Reserve. She specializes in citizen science programs such as aquatic invasive species, freshwater mussel research and monitoring, lake ecology, acoustic bat monitoring, and multiple avian focused programs.

Ellen Voss is the Climate Resilience Director with River Alliance of Wisconsin. Her work focuses on dam removal, hydropower reform, and nature-based solutions.

This message is made possible by generous donors who believe people have the power to protect and restore water. Subscribe to our Word on the Stream email newsletter to receive stories, action alerts and event invitations in your inbox.

On Tuesday, August 26, paddlers gathered at the edge of the Chippewa River west of downtown Chippewa Falls to look for native mussels. It was more than just a beautiful day for a river trip. We had a good reason to gather there.

First, some background. In September 2023, the unfortunate combination of drought and hydropower dams reduced Wisconsin’s namesake river to a proverbial trickle below the last dam and led to the worst-case scenario for the river’s most vulnerable species: native freshwater mussels. Volunteers got organized and went to the Lower Wisconsin River to find stranded mussels along the river banks and move them into deeper water. Their actions may have saved thousands of these bivalve mollusks that do tremendous things for our water quality, including filtering polluted water and contributing to our rivers’ interrelated ecosystems and food chain.

Because native mussels are so important to Wisconsin, we organized a paddle trip to find them in one of Wisconsin’s other big rivers. Like the Wisconsin River, the Chippewa hosts many native species and is also highly regulated by hydro dam operations. For the trip, we brought along experts who know native mussels and this river very well. Experts included Lisie Kitchel (WDNR Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation and aquatic ecologist), Jesse Weinzinger (WDNR aquatic zoologist), and Bre Klockzien (Citizen Science and Aquatics Coordinator with Beaver Creek Reserve).

First, we gathered at the shore of the river to learn more about mussels, how to identify them, and how to inspect them in a way that doesn’t cause harm. And because some of our experts had already done surveys of this river, they knew the good spots where we would be most likely to find mussels in the river.

We set off in our kayaks and paddle boards and made several stops along the route. During one-on-one and group chats, we had the opportunity to discuss their ecology as well as the environmental threats they face, from water quality issues to hydropower impacts.. Some people found mussels right away. Others used tools like GoPros and bathyscopes to explore the underwater surface. Eventually, we all found some and got good skills for identifying mussels of all shapes and sizes.

In true River Rat style, we went out afterwards for food and drinks and talked a lot about why we love Wisconsin rivers. Everyone who participated wanted to know what more they could do to protect these delicate species and how they could get involved as volunteers to rescue native mussels the next time a drought or water shortage occurs due to hydroelectric dams.

Thanks to our experts for being so resourceful on our paddle trip down the Chippewa! To learn about our next paddle adventure, sign up for Word on the Stream email newsletters.

Speakers:

Lisie Kitchel works in the WDNR Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation. She trained as an aquatic ecologist and spends most of her time working with our native mussels (clams) throughout the lakes, rivers, and streams of the state. She loves ‘enlightening’ folks to the fascinating world of the freshwater mussel in addition to chasing mussels around the waters of Wisconsin.

Jesse Weinzinger is a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Aquatic Zoologist. He helps lead the development, evaluation, and implementation of statewide native nongame aquatic species inventory, monitoring, status assessment, and mapping programs.

Bre Klockzien is the Citizen Science and Aquatics Coordinator with Beaver Creek Reserve. She specializes in citizen science programs such as aquatic invasive species, freshwater mussel research and monitoring, lake ecology, acoustic bat monitoring, and multiple avian focused programs.

Ellen Voss is the Climate Resilience Director with River Alliance of Wisconsin. Her work focuses on dam removal, hydropower reform, and nature-based solutions.

This message is made possible by generous donors who believe people have the power to protect and restore water. Subscribe to our Word on the Stream email newsletter to receive stories, action alerts and event invitations in your inbox.