Iowa DNR 305(b) Water Quality Assessment Database

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Help Documents

These are full-page explanations of various aspects of the database and Iowa's 305(b) assessment process.

Terms and Definitions

Help TopicDescriptionLink to more info
BIC Biological Impairment Criteria
BMIBI Benthic Macroinvertebrate Index of Biotic Integrity http://wqm.igsb.uiowa.edu/wqa/bioassess.html
EPA US Environmental Protection Agency http://www.epa.gov
FIBI Fish Index of Biotic Integrity http://wqm.igsb.uiowa.edu/wqa/bioassess.html
Fish Consumption Advisory Issued wherever it is confirmed that advisory levels in the IDNR/IDPH protocol are exceeded. http://www.iowadnr.gov/fish/news/consump.html
HQ High Quality - waters with exceptionally better quality than specified by IA water quality criteria and with exceptional recreational and ecological importance.
HQR High Quality Resource- waters of substantial recreational or ecological significance which possess unusual, outstanding, or unique physical, chemical or biological characteristics.
IDNR Iowa Department of Natural Resources http://www.iowadnr.gov
IR Category Integrated Report Category http://programs.iowadnr.gov/adbnet/help/ircategories.aspx
LTRMP Long-Term River Monitoring Program http://www.umesc.usgs.gov/ltrmp.html
Monitoring and Methods Identifies the sources of monitoring data and other information used to assess support of designated uses.
RAFT Regional Ambient Fish Tissue monitoring program http://wqm.igsb.uiowa.edu/wqa/raft.html
TSI Trophic State Index - a classification system designed to "rate" individual lakes and reservoirs based on the amount of biological productivity occurring in the water.
Waterbody ID Code A unique number for each stream, river, lake, wetland, or reservoir.