Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The Tennessee Valley Authority is working to release mussels in the Powell and Clinch Rivers.
They are working in partnership with Tennessee and Virginia wildlife to release 100 young, extremely rare Appalachian rockshell mussels into the rocky bottom of the Powell and Clinch Rivers after successfully breeding them in a hatchery.
The muscles play a role in filtering the water TVA uses for power production. They can filter up to 15 gallons of water a day
One specific focus of the project is the Appalachian rockshell muscle, which TVA says is on the brink of extinction.
