We found 3 baskets floating. Hopefully the 4th is there, sitting on the bottom.  We have a replacement basket to install today. 

The day was very warm, with on and off light showers.   

Volunteers from DC Strokes worked with Kyle.

Kyle Spears, Project Leader

Kyle used two poles with hooks to lift the

baskets up onto the seawall, and also to

wash and remove some of the sediments. 

(click to photo to view video)

Measuring ambient water temperature.

Water transparency was also measured, using a

secchi disk

Four baskets were brought up onto the seawall.  The tops

were taken off and debris was removed.  The debris

included trash, elodea water weed, and lots of sticks. 

Under all that debris are 250 Alewife Mussels

A small freshwater clam shell lay on top of basket #1

A muddy dragonfly nymph from one of the baskets

Yes - this tiny dragon is alive!

These smart volunteers brought a CANOPY with them!  Made the 

rainy day much more bearable

Working in teams, the volunteers measured length and weight of 

25% of the mussels in each basket. (25 out of 250 mussels)

Using calipers to measure mussel length

Weighing each mussel

Recording length and weight

Replacing basket covers and securing with reusable zip ties.  Third basket fr left is the replacement - we're hoping this one stays afloat