Freshwater Mussels and the Renewal of the Dubuque Ice Harbor Copyright 2014
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 20.
ITEM TITLE: Freshwater Mussels and the Renewal of the Dubuque Ice Harbor
SUMMARY: City Manager transmitting information from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service Midwest Region about Freshwater Mussels and the renewal of the
Dubuque Ice Harbor.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
0 Freshwater Mussels and the Renewal of the Dubuque Ice Harbor Supporting Documentation
Freshwater Mussels and the Renewal of the Dubuque Ice Harbor I U.S. Fish and Wildlife ... Page 1 of 2
Newsroom
Midwest Region
Home About the Region Newsroom For the Media Contact Us
Like flt D130 1
Freshwater Mussels and the Renewal of the Dubuque Ice Harbor
November T],2615
Fa introvert menow le are tagged prior to hiseeipg Mem in the Missievppi River.Photo Ly Mere Kos naiSFVi
Mat does marina and a museum on the Mississippi River In Dubuque,Iowa,have to do with conservatory For the U 5. Fish and Wildlife Service it is linked by
mussels
Mississippi River mussels have been at the center of attention In Iowa since the late 1566s.The shells found In the river were tough,thick and abundant for
making pearl buttons Industry peaked In 1916 with at leas Al factories In Iowa using freshwater mussel shells for buttons Mile pollution,silting and dredging
contributed to the decline of freshwater mussels,overharvesting for button production brought many species to the brink of eztindion.The button business
perished by the 1966sasa result of these factors.
Meet each player that is working to bring back the diverse mussel populations that once thrived In the Mississippi River.Discover the connection:
Pott of Dubuque Marina
The Pott of Dubuoue Manna,constructed In 2613,used a Boating Infrastructure Grant through the Service's Sport Fish Restoration Program to provide transient
boaters access to essential amenities and tourism oppomiffiies The marina offers]6slips for transient boats greater than 26feet,as anitary pump-outstation,
electrical and water hook-ups,a fuel dock and an amenities building with showenbathhouse facilities,laundry and convenience sore
Constructing a marina within the Dubuque Ice Hamer offers beaters substantial public infrastructure along the riveerent and encourages economic and community
connections for the City of Dubuque. Ifs also Iowa's first certified Clean Marina.A Clean Marina adopts measures that reduce pollution and prated water
resources,such as managing stormwater,preventing and cleaning up fuel spills and reducing hazardous wase generation.
National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium
The NTinnal Ms_Liooi R'v pr Mn=_pnm anA Annannm Is adjacent to the marina.When a casino transferred from water to land it vacated all the Former In the
harbor.This allowed an oppomnity for the museum to expand Moving full speed ahead the museum acquired the pmpery creating the Woodward Riverfmnt
Campus The campus spans the length of the marina and connects boaters to the museum through the amenities building.
The museum's vision is to be seen as the nation's premier center Interpreting and preserving the Mississippi River's natural environment and history. It also strives
to Inspire a global audience and create more knowledgeable and engaged citizens.To accomplish this vision,museum Daft have Ramped with the Service on
mussel research,rearing and actuation.
In 2004 the museum assisted Genoa National Fish Hatchery with mussel rearing In the harbor.They continue working together to restore the mussel population
and actuate visitors on their Impodance to water health
Genoa National Fish Hatchery
Annually,Genoa National Fish Hatchery places mussel culture ages In floating racks In the Dubuque Ice Harbor,at the National Mississippi River Museum and
Aquarium.This effort has been very successful,producing several thousand sub adult mussels each fall. Several species are raised In the harbor including the
fatmucket and the endangered Higgins eye pearly mussels
Mtp://www.fws.gov/midwest/news/WSFRmu sels.Mnil 11/19/2015
Freshwater Mussels and the Renewal of the Dubuque Ice Harbor I U.S. Fish and Wildlife ... Page 2 of 2
This past summer Genoa tested anew technique called a suspended crowding system.The system is chamber made from small buckets suspended In a pond
and used for raising freshwater mussels.The actuation program at the museum engages local high school Do dents In collecting data and maintaining the
equipment used to raise mussels
"Itsa project that benefits both the hatchery and the museum all while providing an opportunity for some students to participate In freshwater mussel
m troy ation,"stated Nathan Eckert,mussel biologist.
Early results are showing success Low mortality,Increase in natural growth rate and expanding space for rearing Is contributing to this success By using the
suspended upwelling system,the hatchery will be able to release mussels Into the river at a much faster rate than raising them at the M1atchery.
It NII Equals Conservation
From a dean marinate an aquarium campus,the renewal of Dubuque ice Hamer,connects people with ash and wildlife This connection underscoresthat no
single entry an tackle conservation alone. Currently this partnership ismdving with hos of continuing strong Into the future.
The Boating Infrastructure Grants program provides funding to dates and territories to construct,renovate or maintain beep fedlitiee for tren.vent recreational
spool feaformore in length orprodum information endeducation materiels specific funded projects
National Mississippi River Mussum endAquerium offers exhibits mleketing the pest,present and future ofAmericas waterways The mmpus also includes over
e doyen aquariums featuring wildlife representative of that found in the Mlssureppl River and the Gulf of Mexico and other river wastems and deltas The outdoor
exhibits connect maible to the river and its rich cultural and natural heritage.Genoa National Fish Hatchery hes Igen e major role in the conservation of aquatic
saecies dnm its founding in 1932 Current hatchery spades include the Higgins eye pearly musssl,the winged meplekef mussel,falls sturgeon, master brook
trout and Hines emerald dragonfly
ABoating Infrastructure Grant through the Services Sport Fish Perforation Program supported condru bion of the Port of Dubuque Marine.Photo by Mara
KoenuyUSFAS.
The mission of the U.S.Fish andWildho,Servim is working with others to conserve protect and enhance ftah,s iook,plants and their habitats for the continuing
Ianeht of American people. We are both e leader and trustedpertner in fish and wildlife conservation,known for our scientific excellence dewerdshro offends
and natural resourme,dedicated professionefs and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, volt
www.firs.a
Connect with our FecoMokpage at hcebook coin/us/uamitlwest (oke,our(waste at tw tter coin/us/uamitlwest watch our YouTu ce Channel at
outule.com/ui and downbed photos from our Flior page atfgckr.com/Photw/nsfua dwelt.
bast npaatea.November n,2015
About the Rel I Newsroom I Forthe Media I Conenct Us
Mtlwee[Home Page
Mtp://www.fws.gov/midwest/news/WSFRmu sels.Mnil 11/19/2015