Joel Sartore Joel Sartore

National Geographic Photographer and Speaker

Keyword: Mississippi River

Photo: A shell of a dead winged mapleleaf mussel (Quadrula fragosa). This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.

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INV004-00144

A shell of a dead winged mapleleaf mussel (Quadrula fragosa). This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. This species is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN.

Photo: A black sandshell mussel (Lugimia recta) from the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.

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INV004-00131

A black sandshell mussel (Lugimia recta) from the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.

An endangered (IUCN) and federally endangered Higgins eye pearly mussel (Lampsilis higginsii) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery, Genoa, Wisconsin.

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ESA002-00362

An endangered (IUCN) and federally endangered Higgins eye pearly mussel (Lampsilis higginsii) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery, Genoa, Wisconsin.

A shell of a dead winged mapleleaf mussel (Quadrula fragosa). The winged mapleleaf is critically endangered (IUCN) and federally endangered. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

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ESA002-00363

A shell of a dead winged mapleleaf mussel (Quadrula fragosa). The winged mapleleaf is critically endangered (IUCN) and federally endangered. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

An endangered (IUCN) and federally endangered Higgins eye pearly mussel (Lampsilis higginsii) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery, Genoa, Wisconsin.

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ESA002-00364

An endangered (IUCN) and federally endangered Higgins eye pearly mussel (Lampsilis higginsii) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery, Genoa, Wisconsin.

Photo: An endangered Higgins eye pearly mussel (Lampsilis higginsii) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery, Genoa, Wisconsin.

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ESA001-00346

An endangered Higgins eye pearly mussel (Lampsilis higginsii) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery, Genoa, Wisconsin.

Photo: An endangered Higgins eye pearly mussel (Lampsilis higginsii) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery, Genoa, Wisconsin.

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ESA001-00347

An endangered Higgins eye pearly mussel (Lampsilis higginsii) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery, Genoa, Wisconsin.

An endangered (IUCN) and federally endangered Higgins eye pearly mussel (Lampsilis higginsii) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery, Genoa, Wisconsin.

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ESA001-00348

An endangered (IUCN) and federally endangered Higgins eye pearly mussel (Lampsilis higginsii) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery, Genoa, Wisconsin.

Photo: An endangered Higgins eye pearly mussel (Lampsilis higginsii) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery, Genoa, Wisconsin.

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ESA001-00339

An endangered Higgins eye pearly mussel (Lampsilis higginsii) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery, Genoa, Wisconsin.

Photo: An endangered Higgins eye pearly mussel (Lampsilis higginsii) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery, Genoa, Wisconsin.

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ESA001-00340

An endangered Higgins eye pearly mussel (Lampsilis higginsii) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery, Genoa, Wisconsin.

An endangered (IUCN) and federally endangered Higgins eye pearly mussel (Lampsilis higginsii) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery, Genoa, Wisconsin.

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ESA001-00341

An endangered (IUCN) and federally endangered Higgins eye pearly mussel (Lampsilis higginsii) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery, Genoa, Wisconsin.

An endangered (IUCN) and federally endangered Higgins eye pearly mussel (Lampsilis higginsii) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery, Genoa, Wisconsin.

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ESA001-00342

An endangered (IUCN) and federally endangered Higgins eye pearly mussel (Lampsilis higginsii) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery, Genoa, Wisconsin.

An endangered (IUCN) and federally endangered Higgins eye pearly mussel (Lampsilis higginsii) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery, Genoa, Wisconsin.

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ESA001-00343

An endangered (IUCN) and federally endangered Higgins eye pearly mussel (Lampsilis higginsii) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery, Genoa, Wisconsin.

Photo: An endangered Higgins eye pearly mussel (Lampsilis higginsii) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery, Genoa, Wisconsin.

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ESA001-00344

An endangered Higgins eye pearly mussel (Lampsilis higginsii) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery, Genoa, Wisconsin.

A shell of a dead winged mapleleaf mussel (Quadrula fragosa). The winged mapleleaf is critically endangered (IUCN) and federally endangered. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

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ESA001-00345

A shell of a dead winged mapleleaf mussel (Quadrula fragosa). The winged mapleleaf is critically endangered (IUCN) and federally endangered. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

Photo: Massive amounts of oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill ring the outer edges of a marsh near the mouth of the Mississippi river in Louisiana.

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ENV021-00030

Massive amounts of oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill ring the outer edges of a marsh near the mouth of the Mississippi river in Louisiana.

A silver chub (Macrhybopsis storeriana), a species found in the Missouri and Mississippi river systems.

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ENV020-00198

A silver chub (Macrhybopsis storeriana), a species found in the Missouri and Mississippi river systems.

A silver chub (Macrhybopsis storeriana), a species found in the Missouri and Mississippi river systems.

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ENV020-00199

A silver chub (Macrhybopsis storeriana), a species found in the Missouri and Mississippi river systems.

The shell of a zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) an invasive species of freshwater mussel that was introduced into the Great Lakes from Europe. This mussel species out competes native North American mussel species and is considered a pest in the Great Plains.

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ANI041-00038

The shell of a zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) an invasive species of freshwater mussel that was introduced into the Great Lakes from Europe. This mussel species out competes native North American mussel species and is considered a pest in the Great Plains.

A threeridge mussel (Amblema plicata) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

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ANI041-00037

A threeridge mussel (Amblema plicata) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

A threeridge mussel (Amblema plicata) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

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ANI041-00036

A threeridge mussel (Amblema plicata) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

A threeridge mussel (Amblema plicata) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

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ANI041-00035

A threeridge mussel (Amblema plicata) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

A threehorn wartyback (Obliquaria reflexa) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

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ANI041-00034

A threehorn wartyback (Obliquaria reflexa) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

A threehorn wartyback (Obliquaria reflexa) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

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ANI041-00033

A threehorn wartyback (Obliquaria reflexa) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

A pimpleback mussel (Quadrula pustulosa) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

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ANI041-00032

A pimpleback mussel (Quadrula pustulosa) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

A fragile papershell mussel (Leptodea fragilis) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

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ANI041-00031

A fragile papershell mussel (Leptodea fragilis) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

A fragile papershell mussel (Leptodea fragilis) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

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ANI041-00030

A fragile papershell mussel (Leptodea fragilis) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

A plain pocketbook mussel (Lampsilis cardium) displays a fish-like lure used to attract fish hosts for its young. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

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ANI041-00029

A plain pocketbook mussel (Lampsilis cardium) displays a fish-like lure used to attract fish hosts for its young. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

A plain pocketbook mussel (Lampsilis cardium) displays a fish-like lure used to attract fish hosts for its young. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

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ANI041-00028

A plain pocketbook mussel (Lampsilis cardium) displays a fish-like lure used to attract fish hosts for its young. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

A plain pocketbook mussel (Lampsilis cardium) displays a fish-like lure used to attract fish hosts for its young. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

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ANI041-00027

A plain pocketbook mussel (Lampsilis cardium) displays a fish-like lure used to attract fish hosts for its young. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

A butterfly mussel (Ellipsaria lineolata) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

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ANI041-00026

A butterfly mussel (Ellipsaria lineolata) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

A butterfly mussel (Ellipsaria lineolata) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

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ANI041-00025

A butterfly mussel (Ellipsaria lineolata) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

A butterfly mussel (Ellipsaria lineolata) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

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ANI041-00024

A butterfly mussel (Ellipsaria lineolata) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

A butterfly mussel (Ellipsaria lineolata) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

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ANI041-00023

A butterfly mussel (Ellipsaria lineolata) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

Picture of a washboard mussel (Megalonaias nervosa) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery.

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ANI041-00022

A washboard mussel (Megalonaias nervosa) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

Picture of a washboard mussel (Megalonaias nervosa) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery.

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ANI041-00021

A washboard mussel (Megalonaias nervosa) at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery. This is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels still found in the upper Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien, WI.

Photo: Julie Jensen Director of Marketing | WVC O: 866.800.7326 | D: 702.443.9249 | E: j.jensen@wvc.org

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