Excess sediment in streams can dramatically alter habitat and harm aquatic organisms. Many river species depend upon hard substrate at the bottom of streams to successfully complete their life cycles; this substrate can be filled in or covered
by enough sediment. Fish and invertebrate eggs can be smothered, and freshwater mussels, many species of which must attach to hard surfaces, can have their available habitat reduced or eliminated. Filter feeders, including freshwater mussels,can see effects ranging from reduced feeding ability in waters turbid from excess sediment, to mortality when
sediment clogs gills