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. There's 45 species on the virginia side but more that 100 species of fish here. There's more endangered animals in this river than any other place in North America." Retired Virginia Tech biologist Dick Neves said. Many different agencies gathered to celebrate a turning point for the mussels. Ten years of research has produced hatchery raised endangered mussels. A new phase that moves from protection to repopulating. "It's been a long time coming. There's been a lot of research done on these animals. It's been ten years since our facility opened and last year was the first year we've had the most success with these endangered species." Amanda Duncan with the Virginia Game and Inland Fishereies Departments says. It was appropriate that elementary students were the ones who were repopluating the tagged mussels back into the river. Some even have electronics to make them easier to find to check their progress. Just because these animals and this area is protected doesn't mean you have to stop using the river. Brad Kreps with the Nature Conservancy explains,"We feel like there are opportunities for the nature conservancy to work with communities to protect the river but also utilize them as a way to create some new opportunities." "It's a matter of the environmental quality catching up now with the technology that we've developed." Neves added. There's a new pride in the river and it's uniqueness and a new generation to help keep that alive.