As freshwater mussel populations in Kentucky decline, researchers are looking for answers

As freshwater mussel populations in Kentucky decline, researchers are looking for answers

Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia are home to many freshwater mussel species, but populations have dwindled over the years.(Jared Kunish / WKU Public Radio)Many people looking to escape the heat in Kentucky and the surrounding region may spend their summer weekends wading through rivers and streams, and they'll likely swim over numerous freshwater mussels buried in the shallow sand below. Though small, these mollusks play a critical role in …