TRANSCRIPT:
Hello this is Dr. Tom Mullikin with SCDNR for Into the Wild.
Most people don't think about what's under the surface of a river - but if you could see the river bottom clearly, you might find freshwater mussels sitting half-buried in the sand.
South Carolina is home to dozens of mussel species, and some live for decades - even up to 70 years. They don't move much, but they're constantly working. A single mussel can filter gallons of water each day, removing algae, bacteria, and sediment as it feeds.
Clean water and healthy fish populations mean healthy mussel populations - and vice versa.
They may not be flashy, but they're one of the clearest signs of a healthy river. Sometimes the quietest wildlife is doing the most important work.