We’ve been reporting for years now about efforts to protect the rare and endangered species of mussels that exist along the clinch river. And today a breakthrough. Thousands that were raised in a hatchery were released into the river. The largest recovery effort for these mussels since the enactment of the endangered species act. Little red flags placed in the clinch river near cleveland island mark spots to see what makes this river special. Rare and endangered fresh water mussels. “There’s no river like it in terms of number of species of aquatics, not just mussels.