Hidden Treasures of Idaho’s Waters: Native Mussels and Water Quality
Freshwater mussels are some of the most sensitive species in many waters of the United States. Many species in the Eastern US are listed as endangered and have been found to be significantly sensitive to heavy metals and other pollutants like ammonia. Idaho’s native mussels are not only cryptic, but are also understudied, with new information on their behavior, reproduction, and distribution being uncovered all the time. Idaho DEQ is entering the unionid world through its ongoing ammonia rulemaking, and is training staff statewide on identifying, recording, and protecting these hidden gems.
Gunnar Hilborn is a Water Quality Standards Analyst with Idaho’s Department of Environmental Quality. He has worked in the water quality world for 6 years and received a BA in chemistry from Carroll College in Helena, MT. In his free time he enjoys the outdoors, reading, and spending time with his wife and daughter.