The range of the Eastern Pondmussel is limited to eastern North America from the lower Great Lakes to New York, New Hampshire and in coastal rivers to South Carolina. In Canada, only two populations are believed to exist; in the delta area of Lake St. Clair (in the transition zone between wetlands and open water) and in a small tributary of the upper St. Lawrence River, Lyn Creek, near the outlet of Lake Ontario. The preferred habitat of the Eastern Pondmussel is sheltered areas of lakes or slow streams in substrates of sand and mud at depths up to 4.5 m.

The Eastern Pondmussel was once among the most common species of freshwater mussels in the lower Great Lakes. It is medium to large in size (average 70 mm) with a long, elliptical, compressed shell, which is thin but strong. Its posterior ridge is well-developed, distinct and angled near the beak; posterior end is bluntly pointed. Beaks are located in the anterior quarter of the shell and are low and slightly raised above the hinge line. The shell colour of juveniles is yellowish or greenish black with narrow green rays at posterior end, whereas the shell of adults is dark brown or black.