Assessment Comments

DNR quarterly monitoring station at Hwy 61 bridge NW of Maquoketa; last monitored FY 1992-93. RAFT (Fish Tissue) site NE of Maquoketa in 95, 97, and 99.

Basis for Assessment

SUMMARY:  The Class A (primary contact recreation) uses and the Class B(WW) aquatic life uses are considered "not assessed."  Fish consumption uses remain "fully supported."  EXPLANATION:  The previous assessments of support of the Class A and Class B(WW) uses were based on data from the DNR quarterly water quality monitoring station at Maquoketa.   This station, however, was last monitored during the 1992-1993 biennial period, and these data are now considered too old (greater than five years) to be useful for developing water quality assessments of current conditions.   As part of DNR's expanded water quality monitoring program, monthly monitoring at the Maquoketa station began in October 1999.   Results from this monitoring will allow development of an updated assessement of support of the beneficial uses for the 2002 report.   Fish consumption uses remain assessed as "fully supported" based on the 1999 EPA/DNR fish tissue (RAFT) sampling on the Maquoketa River northeast of Maquoketa that showed levels of all contaminants in two composite samples of whole-fish carp were less than ½ of the respective FDA action levels and DNR levels of concern.