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An ambitious project is underway to eradicate the invasive Silty Pond Mussel (formerly known as the Chinese pond mussel, Sinanodonta woodiana) from the Wickecheoke Creek Preserve in New Jersey. This critical initiative seeks to protect local ecosystems, safeguard native aquatic species, and prevent the spread of these aggressive invaders into the broader Delaware River ecosystem.

[caption id="attachment_16006" align="alignright" width="394"] Provided by NJ Conservation Foundation[/caption]

The Silty Pond Mussel was first discovered in the United States in 2010 at a former fish farm in Hunterdon County, now part of NJ Conservation Foundation’s Wickecheoke Creek Preserve. It is believed the mussels arrived as glochidia (a microscopic larval stage of some freshwater mussels) attached to the gills of bighead carp, another invasive species imported from China by the farm's previous owners. Initially overlooked and undocumented in North America, the mussels quickly established a foothold in the Preserve's ponds, threatening local ecosystems.

These invasive mussels, which can grow to the size of a small football, form high-density colonies that pose a severe threat to native organisms. This aggressive species outcompetes native mussels for nutrients and habitat, altering water chemistry in the process and drastically depleting the local ecosystem of resources essential to native plants and animals. Additionally, once the Silty Pond Mussel glochidia attach to the gills of native fish, a biological reaction occurs that ultimately kills the host fish thus preventing native mussels from completing their own life cycle on these fish hosts. This dual impact — monopolizing food and habitat resources as adults while denying native mussels access to necessary host fish — makes the Silty Pond Mussel especially harmful to local ecosystems.

Following the initial discovery, DNA testing conducted by the NJ Invasive Species Strike Team, New Jersey Endangered & Nongame Species Program, and the North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences confirmed the presence of this invasive species, marking the first documentation of the Silty Pond Mussel in North America. Early eradication efforts began shortly thereafter.

Since 2019, a coalition of partners has expanded these efforts and remained committed to the complete eradication of the Silty Pond Mussel species. Led by NJDEP Fish & Wildlife and including organizations such as tthe U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, NJ Conservation Foundation, Rutgers University, NJ Water Supply Authority, U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of Restoration and Damage Assessment (ORDA) and Princeton Hydro, the project has focused on surveying waterways using SCUBA, snorkel and physical analysis; utilizing environmental DNA (eDNA) testing to detect the presence of mussels in a waterbody; and applying targeted treatments. Community engagement and education are also central to these efforts, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in tackling this ecological threat.

Geoffrey M. Goll, P.E., President of Princeton Hydro, emphasized the collaborative nature of the efforts: "This initiative exemplifies the power of partnership and innovation in tackling environmental challenges. Together, we are making significant strides in preserving our state's rich biodiversity."


Protecting Biodiversity and Partnering for Eradication

The Wickecheoke Creek Preserve, home to nearly 400 native plant species and a wide variety of wildlife, includes 14 miles of streams and flows directly into the D&R Canal, which supplies clean drinking water to one million New Jersey residents. New Jersey is also home to 12 native freshwater mussel species, nine of which are classified as Endangered, Threatened, or of Special Concern, further underscoring the the urgency of preventing this aggressive invasive species from spreading. Left unchecked, the Silty Pond Mussel could disrupt one of the most biodiverse freshwater regions in the country and cause significant ecological harm. Swift action to address this invasive species is essential to protecting the Wickecheoke Creek Preserve, safeguarding native species, and preserving the health of the Delaware River watershed.

Each project partner plays an essential roles in the eradication process. Rutgers University is performing the environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring and analyzing the results. Princeton Hydro is applying targeted treatments to the ponds where the mussels were initially detected, and, if eDNA or physical sampling reveals signs of the mussels in other water bodies, the team will extend these treatments accordingly. Using a highly specialized approach, Princeton Hydro’s licensed applicators have partnered with SePRO to apply Natrix, an EPA-registered pesticide developed specifically for managing invasive mollusk populations. The 2024 phase of the project has incorporated significant advancements in treatment design. The team’s strategy is both preventative and responsive. The project has garnered financial support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Delaware River Greenway Partnership through the Lower Delaware Wild and Scenic Program.

[gallery link="none" ids="16013,16011,16010"]

In addition to treatment, Princeton Hydro is focused on rigorous documentation and educational outreach. “It’s important for us to record every aspect of this project, not only from a scientific perspective but also for public education,” said the Princeton Hydro Director of Marketing & Communications Dana Patterson Grear. “We want to ensure this species is contained here and prevented from spreading throughout New Jersey or, worse, across the United States.” As part of these efforts, Princeton Hydro aims to share detailed information on the Silty Pond Mussel’s characteristics and identification markers. “By educating communities and environmental stakeholders on what to look for, we hope to empower rapid responses in other areas, should the species appear elsewhere,” said Patterson Grear.


Dive Deeper: Watch the Video on Eradication Efforts

As part of the project's commitment to transparency and education, New Jersey DEP Fish & Wildlife created a detailed video to showcase the silty pond mussel eradication and identification efforts. This video delves deeper into the techniques and collaborative approaches being used to address the invasive species. We encourage you to watch the video to gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced and the innovative strategies employed in this groundbreaking effort.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qplXLi5tOPY[/embed]

To learn more about invasive species, obtain practical tips for identifying and managing invasives, and take actions to help protect our local ecosystems, click here to check out our recent blog.

[post_title] => A Groundbreaking Effort is Underway to Protect New Jersey Waters from Invasive Mussel Species [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => a-groundbreaking-effort-is-underway-to-protect-new-jersey-waters-from-invasive-mussel-species [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-11-07 15:13:36 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-11-07 15:13:36 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://princetonhydro.com/?p=16002 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [1] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 9578 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2021-09-21 16:03:00 [post_date_gmt] => 2021-09-21 16:03:00 [post_content] =>

Lake Hopatcong Commission partnered with Lake Hopatcong Foundation, with in-kind contributions from the NJDEP, municipal governments, Morris and Sussex Counties, Musconetcong Watershed Association, Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum, Rutgers University, NJ Highlands Council, and Princeton Hydro, to address three priority streambank stabilization projects within the Upper Musconetcong River Watershed.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) today announced that the Lake Hopatcong Commission would receive $480,650 through the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund (DWCF). The DWCF aims to conserve and restore natural areas, corridors, and waterways on public and private lands to support native migratory and resident wildlife and fish, and native plants; and to contribute to the social health and economic vitality of the communities in the Delaware River watershed. Major funding for the DWCF is provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“It’s great to see funding awarded to the Upper Musconetcong River Watershed at the federal level. The Commission was created to promote public health and welfare through the preservation of Lake Hopatcong for recreational and conservation purposes. These projects are consistent with our organizational goals and will enhance water quality and recreational access within the watershed,” said Ron Smith, Chairman of the Lake Hopatcong Commission.

The grant will fund the design and implementation of three streambank stabilization projects, identified as priority projects in the 2021 Upper Musconetcong River Watershed Implementation Plan as prepared by Princeton Hydro for the Lake Hopatcong Commission. They will address important stormwater issues that had been previously identified.  The projects are:

  • Musconetcong River Streambank Stabilization and Floodplain Enhancement in Hopatcong State Park (Roxbury Township). This portion of the Musconetcong River at Lake Hopatcong’s outlet has been identified as having serious stormwater and flooding issues. An approximate four-acre section of streambank will be restored and stabilized. As part of this effort, invasive species will be eradicated and the existing floodplain rehabilitated through the establishment of native vegetation.
  • Glen Brook Streambank Stabilization in Memorial Park (Borough of Mount Arlington). Glen Brook is a major stream entering Lake Hopatcong at Mount Arlington Beach. It is a significant source of stormwater runoff and has been identified as having a negative impact on water quality. Approximately 75 linear feet of Glen Brook immediately downstream of Memorial Pond will be regraded and vegetated to naturally treat runoff into the lake.
  • Lakefront Public Access & Regenerative Stormwater Conveyance at Witten Park (Borough of Hopatcong). Witten Park, a forgotten public area, will be restored and serious stormwater issues will be addressed. The severely eroded Sperry Spring, which feeds Lake Hopatcong, will be rehabilitated and a regenerative stormwater conveyance will be installed. This device will convey and treat stormwater runoff down a naturally occurring slope, reconnecting it to the original floodplain. 

“Environmental impacts associated with development pressure in the upper Musconetcong Watershed around Lake Hopatcong have contributed to reduced water quality. By implementing these projects, we will be able to continue our efforts to improve water quality by reducing phosphorus and sediment entering Lake Hopatcong and the Musconetcong River all while enhancing local wildlife habitat and increasing recreational access around New Jersey’s largest lake,” said Kyle Richter, Executive Director, Lake Hopatcong Foundation.

The grant application requested $480,650 from the DWCF with a combined local in-kind match of more than $489,000 from the Lake Hopatcong Commission, Lake Hopatcong Foundation, NJ Department of Environmental Protection, Borough of Hopatcong, Township of Roxbury, Mount Arlington Borough, Morris and Sussex Counties, the Musconetcong Watershed Association, Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum, Rutgers University, NJ Highlands Council, and Princeton Hydro. This is the first grant that has been awarded to the Lake Hopatcong Commission from NFWF.

“Lakes in the Upper Musconetcong Watershed, like Lake Hopatcong and Lake Musconetcong, have experienced degraded water quality and unprecedented harmful algal blooms from excessive nutrients in stormwater runoff and aging septic systems. We are proud to partner with Lake Hopatcong Commission, Lake Hopatcong Foundation, and local stakeholders on this multi-site stream stabilization project to reduce nutrient runoff, enhance wildlife habitat, and improve public access in the watershed,” said Dr. Fred Lubnow, Director of Aquatic Resources at Princeton Hydro.

To learn more about The Lake Hopatcong Commission, visit lakehopatcongcommission.org. To learn more about The Lake Hopatcong Foundation, visit lakehopatcongfoundation.org and check out our recent blog. To learn more about Princeton Hydro's natural resource management services, visit princetonhydro.com.

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An ambitious project is underway to eradicate the invasive Silty Pond Mussel (formerly known as the Chinese pond mussel, Sinanodonta woodiana) from the Wickecheoke Creek Preserve in New Jersey. This critical initiative seeks to protect local ecosystems, safeguard native aquatic species, and prevent the spread of these aggressive invaders into the broader Delaware River ecosystem.

[caption id="attachment_16006" align="alignright" width="394"] Provided by NJ Conservation Foundation[/caption]

The Silty Pond Mussel was first discovered in the United States in 2010 at a former fish farm in Hunterdon County, now part of NJ Conservation Foundation’s Wickecheoke Creek Preserve. It is believed the mussels arrived as glochidia (a microscopic larval stage of some freshwater mussels) attached to the gills of bighead carp, another invasive species imported from China by the farm's previous owners. Initially overlooked and undocumented in North America, the mussels quickly established a foothold in the Preserve's ponds, threatening local ecosystems.

These invasive mussels, which can grow to the size of a small football, form high-density colonies that pose a severe threat to native organisms. This aggressive species outcompetes native mussels for nutrients and habitat, altering water chemistry in the process and drastically depleting the local ecosystem of resources essential to native plants and animals. Additionally, once the Silty Pond Mussel glochidia attach to the gills of native fish, a biological reaction occurs that ultimately kills the host fish thus preventing native mussels from completing their own life cycle on these fish hosts. This dual impact — monopolizing food and habitat resources as adults while denying native mussels access to necessary host fish — makes the Silty Pond Mussel especially harmful to local ecosystems.

Following the initial discovery, DNA testing conducted by the NJ Invasive Species Strike Team, New Jersey Endangered & Nongame Species Program, and the North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences confirmed the presence of this invasive species, marking the first documentation of the Silty Pond Mussel in North America. Early eradication efforts began shortly thereafter.

Since 2019, a coalition of partners has expanded these efforts and remained committed to the complete eradication of the Silty Pond Mussel species. Led by NJDEP Fish & Wildlife and including organizations such as tthe U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, NJ Conservation Foundation, Rutgers University, NJ Water Supply Authority, U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of Restoration and Damage Assessment (ORDA) and Princeton Hydro, the project has focused on surveying waterways using SCUBA, snorkel and physical analysis; utilizing environmental DNA (eDNA) testing to detect the presence of mussels in a waterbody; and applying targeted treatments. Community engagement and education are also central to these efforts, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in tackling this ecological threat.

Geoffrey M. Goll, P.E., President of Princeton Hydro, emphasized the collaborative nature of the efforts: "This initiative exemplifies the power of partnership and innovation in tackling environmental challenges. Together, we are making significant strides in preserving our state's rich biodiversity."


Protecting Biodiversity and Partnering for Eradication

The Wickecheoke Creek Preserve, home to nearly 400 native plant species and a wide variety of wildlife, includes 14 miles of streams and flows directly into the D&R Canal, which supplies clean drinking water to one million New Jersey residents. New Jersey is also home to 12 native freshwater mussel species, nine of which are classified as Endangered, Threatened, or of Special Concern, further underscoring the the urgency of preventing this aggressive invasive species from spreading. Left unchecked, the Silty Pond Mussel could disrupt one of the most biodiverse freshwater regions in the country and cause significant ecological harm. Swift action to address this invasive species is essential to protecting the Wickecheoke Creek Preserve, safeguarding native species, and preserving the health of the Delaware River watershed.

Each project partner plays an essential roles in the eradication process. Rutgers University is performing the environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring and analyzing the results. Princeton Hydro is applying targeted treatments to the ponds where the mussels were initially detected, and, if eDNA or physical sampling reveals signs of the mussels in other water bodies, the team will extend these treatments accordingly. Using a highly specialized approach, Princeton Hydro’s licensed applicators have partnered with SePRO to apply Natrix, an EPA-registered pesticide developed specifically for managing invasive mollusk populations. The 2024 phase of the project has incorporated significant advancements in treatment design. The team’s strategy is both preventative and responsive. The project has garnered financial support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Delaware River Greenway Partnership through the Lower Delaware Wild and Scenic Program.

[gallery link="none" ids="16013,16011,16010"]

In addition to treatment, Princeton Hydro is focused on rigorous documentation and educational outreach. “It’s important for us to record every aspect of this project, not only from a scientific perspective but also for public education,” said the Princeton Hydro Director of Marketing & Communications Dana Patterson Grear. “We want to ensure this species is contained here and prevented from spreading throughout New Jersey or, worse, across the United States.” As part of these efforts, Princeton Hydro aims to share detailed information on the Silty Pond Mussel’s characteristics and identification markers. “By educating communities and environmental stakeholders on what to look for, we hope to empower rapid responses in other areas, should the species appear elsewhere,” said Patterson Grear.


Dive Deeper: Watch the Video on Eradication Efforts

As part of the project's commitment to transparency and education, New Jersey DEP Fish & Wildlife created a detailed video to showcase the silty pond mussel eradication and identification efforts. This video delves deeper into the techniques and collaborative approaches being used to address the invasive species. We encourage you to watch the video to gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced and the innovative strategies employed in this groundbreaking effort.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qplXLi5tOPY[/embed]

To learn more about invasive species, obtain practical tips for identifying and managing invasives, and take actions to help protect our local ecosystems, click here to check out our recent blog.

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