Mussel Surveys and Relocations
Mainstream Commercial Divers, Inc. has been performing freshwater mussel surveys since its formation in 1988. In the past six years alone, MCDI has performed more than 80 mussel surveys and relocations in the eastern and central United States.
Craig Fortenbery, the founder of MCDI, graduated from Murray State University with a bachelor’s degree (B.I.S.) with an aquatic biology emphasis, primarily working with freshwater mussels and has an extensive background with mussel collection, identification, and surveying. This has allowed MCDI to established itself as the “company of choice” to perform unionid mussel studies for many governmental agencies and private industries.
In addition, many of MCDI's commercial divers are extremely experienced with mussel survey and collection techniques. This combination of a commercial diving background and extensive experience with unionid mussel research, survey, and collection techniques is a recognized rarity in the field of commercial diving. This unique aspect has resulted in MCDI being asked to perform mussel survey work within all types of habitats, including major rivers, small rivers and creeks, and reservoir systems.
MCDI has the unique ability to combine professional malacological services and highly qualified commercial divers, which has resulted in success for our company with regard to freshwater mussel collection, surveys, and relocation projects.
If you have any questions regarding our services, capabilities, or experience, please do not hesitate to call us.
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Some of MCDI’s Equipment Specific to Mussel Sampling Projects Includes:
- Portable Riverbank Field Station
- Trimble DGPS Systems
- Arc GIS and Arcpad Software
- Weighted Transect Lines
- Meter and ¼ Meter Square Sampling Quadrats
- Mussel Collection Bags and Buckets
- Sieve Sets
- Water Pumps and Hoses
- Flow Meters
- Ohaus Scales
- Electronic Calipers
- Secchi Disk
- Modified Serber Samplers
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2010 Mussel Survey at
TVA's Bull Run Fossil Plant
Near Florence, Alabama |
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CASE STUDY: Mussel Relocation
Mainstream Commercial Divers, Inc. relocated 54,000 mussels for the USACE Nashville District in association with the new lock addition at Kentucky Dam.
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United States Army Corps of Engineers Waterways Experiment Station in Vicksburg, Mississippi
Mainstream Commercial Divers, Inc. completed a five-year contract with the United States Army Corps of Engineers Waterways Experiment Station in Vicksburg, Mississippi in which we provided diving services for dozens of mussel projects each year of the project.
MCDI crews traveled extensively each year with biologists from the USACE WES conducting assessments of freshwater mussels in many different waterways throughout the central and eastern United States. |
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2010 Mussel Survey as Part of a Proposed Barge Dock Expansion Project Near South Point, Ohio
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Mussel Survey and Relocation for River Terminal Enhancement and Enlargement Project
In 2008, Mainstream Commercial Divers, Inc. performed a mussel survey on the Ohio River within an area slated to be included in a river terminal enhancement and enlargement plan at a major industrial site. In 2009, Mainstream Commercial Divers, Inc. relocated mussels from a three-acre impact zone at this facility. |
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2010 Mussel Survey on the
Lower Ohio River Near Olmsted, Illinois |
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2010 Mussel Survey Near Sheffield, Alabama for a Chemical Barge
Off Loading Facility |
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2010 Mussel Survey Near
New Johnsonville, Tennessee |
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- James B. Sickel, Professor Emeritus, Murray State University
- Brent McClane, Harding ESE, Inc.
- EA Engineering, Science, and Technology
- E.on U.S.
- USACE Engineer Research and Development Center
- Kinder Morgan Terminals
- City of Waverly, Tennessee
- Rockport River Terminals
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