Mussel Density Quadrat Sampling Locations in West Newton Chute from 2008 to 2017

Since 2008, over 1,400 quadrats and about 2,500 mussels have been systematically sampled within West Newton Chute (WNC), contributing to a diverse assemblage of 25 live species, including 2 federally endangered species, and 10 Minnesota listed species. West Newton Chute is a 2.4 km long side channel in Navigation Pool 5 of the Upper Mississippi River and has an overall aquatic area of ~75 ha. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has been quantitatively sampling a mussel bed here (~650 meters long X 170 meters wide) annually since 2008. About 200 systematically-placed 0.25 m2 quads are sampled annually and the quads are spaced ~25 m apart. Briefly, divers excavate substrates to a depth of ~15 cm and place material into a 6-mm [...]