FRESHWATER MUSSEL HATCHERY
Since 2019, the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE) has been working toward the construction of a production-scale freshwater mussel hatchery in Pennsylvania.
Freshwater mussels are bivalve mollusks that inhabit local streams and rivers, providing critical benefits to the ecosystem. These remarkable animals:
– Filter water, each adult mussel can filter up to 10 gallons per day.
– Stabilize streambeds, reducing erosion and improving water quality.
– Create habitat, supporting other aquatic species.
A production-scale hatchery will enable the propagation of native freshwater mussels for use in restoration projects. Once operational, the hatchery will produce thousands of mussels annually to seed local streams, ponds, and stormwater basins. Some species can live for up to 100 years, making them a long-term solution for clean water.
Hatchery Update
From 2019–2025, PDE collaborated with the John Bartram Association to pursue the creation of the freshwater mussel hatchery alongside an Ecosystems Education Center at Bartram’s Garden in Southwest Philadelphia. The vision was to combine hands-on, community education and public recreation with environmental science and ecosystem restoration.
Unfortunately, due to rising construction costs and shifts in the funding landscape, PDE made the difficult decision in late 2025 to not move forward with building the hatchery at Bartram’s Garden. This decision followed an extensive evaluation process, including updated cost analyses, multiple rounds of design revisions, and consultation with experts, advisors, and partners.
PDE will now explore alternate sites for advancing the hatchery project in Pennsylvania. In the meantime, PDE will continue mussel research, propagation activities, and restoration projects.
Supporters
PENNVEST
Community Projects Funding through the Consolidated Appropriations Act
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under an Assistance Agreement
PECO
Constellation
Exelon and Museum of Science and Industry Green Lab Grant
Klein-Paul Fund
The Bellwether District, an HRP Project
The Essential Foundation
Press
EPA Awards $1.8 million to the Delaware Estuary Program including support for mussel hatchery at Philadelphia’s Bartram’s Garden – EPA, April 13, 2023
PDE’s Mussel Hatchery Plans Taking Shape – Estuary News, March 2022
Bartram’s Garden Receives $2.6 Million Grant From Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program – CBS Philly, Feb 2022
Half a million mussels to be hatched yearly at Bartram’s Garden – The Philadelphia Inquirer, Jan 2019
Planned multi-million-dollar mussel hatchery meant to improve water quality – Delaware Public Media, Jan 2019
Freshwater mussel hatchery at Bartram’s Gardens aims to provide natural filter for Pa. rivers, streams – WHYY, Jan 2019
PDE and Partners Lay Groundwork for Research Partnership – Estuary News, August 2018
Learn More
Freshwater Mussels
Mussels for Clean Water Initiative
What Lies Beneath? Signature Species of the Delaware Estuary. Part 1, Freshwater Mussels
MAKE A GIFT
To learn more about providing financial support to this transformative project, contact Elizabeth Horsey, Director of Development at ehorsey@delawareestuary.org.