Freshwater mussels are back in the Delaware River,”marks a significant milestone”

The Delaware River in Philadelphia has always had a bad rap of not being the cleanest part of the city, well despite the water’s murky color, new life is thriving inside.

According to a survey conducted by the Discovery Center, Aquatic Research and Restoration Center (ARRC), Audubon Mid-Atlantic, Pennypack Environmental Center, and Riverfront North Partnership (RNP), freshwater mussels have been found living in the Delaware River near Pennypack Creek.

The species that has always been scarce in the river “marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to restore the Delaware River Watershed.”

“I’ve worked with freshwater mussels for the past six years and there’s always new things to learn and discover,” says Bria Wimberly, Senior Coordinator of Public Programs at the Discovery Center. “These filter feeders are great for the ecosystem so finding them near Pennypack Creek in the Delaware River was a treat. With the help and guidance from multiple organizations, including the Aquatic Research and Restoration Center, we can extend this knowledge to other watershed stewards who are eager to help restore habitats and further clean our drinking water.”

This news is important because freshwater mussels are considered key indicators of water quality, and their presence in the Delaware River is a promising sign of improving water conditions and a step forward in the river’s restoration journey.

“The staff and I at Pennypack Environmental Center are excited to be a part of the Mussel Project initiative and for the opportunity to collaborate with our partners,” says Stephanie Hoffer, Environmental Education Program Specialist for Pennypack Environmental Center. “We look forward to working with the team to deep dive into mussels and the future restoration of our Philadelphia waterways. During our most recent trip to the Delaware River, our teen campers set out to search for mussels and explore their habitat.  Each discovery of a mussel on the beach at low tide was met with a shriek of excitement.  As the other campers quickly gathered around, their curiosity, enthusiasm, and appreciation was overwhelming.  It reinforced our excitement for this project and our commitment to educating children through environmental immersion.”

“We are excited that The Discovery Center and Pennypack Environmental Center pinpointed a viable location for mussels through their research. We don’t often think of the Delaware River in Philadelphia as a healthy, natural resource, and now we have tangible evidence that it is tracking in the right direction,” said Nathan McWilliams, Stewardship Manager for Riverfront North Partnership,

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