Refuge staff assisted biologists from the Tulsa Ecological Services Office with freshwater mussel sampling at three locations along the Deep Fork River.  The sampling took place during the weeks of July 18 – 20, and July 24 – 26, 2006.  The research was initiated in 2006, and will continue for a period of up to four years.  The main focus of the research is to collect population data within areas of the river known to have contamination problems from industrial effluent and urban wastewater discharge.  Staff from the Creek Nation Environmental Resource Division and from the Statewide Blue Thumb Program assisted with the sampling.