Deteriorating water quality and siltation also affects mussel populations. Dams and channelization have not been a threat to this species in the Missouri portion of its range. There has been habitat alteration from gravel dredging in some areas, but diminishing water quality is probably the greatest threat to current populations. As the number of mussels declines, reproductive success may be limited by their low density in a stream. These activities may kill small numbers of mussels, but more significantly, the substrate is disturbed and destablized.
Habitat degradation Diminishing water quality is a concern for all aquatic species.
It is not clear how much of an impact pesticides and agricultural runoff are having on pink muckets. Competition with exotic zebra mussels Zebra mussels are an introduced species that competes with native mussels for food and living space. Mortality linked to zebra mussel competition include starvation, loss of reproduction, depleted oxygen availability, and beaching after storms. Although they are not presently affecting pink muckets in Missouri, zebra mussels may eventually inhabit the same stretches of streams and affect native mussels. Overharvesting and illegal collecting Pink muckets have a commercial value for use in the polished chip industry.