Easter Lake IA 04-LDM-1024

Assessment Comments

Assessment is based on results of (1) ISU lake monitoring, (2) surveys by IDNR Fisheries Bureau, and (3) results of U.S. EPA/IDNR fish tissue monitoring

Basis for Assessment

Both fishable and swimmable uses were assessed as PS for the following reasons*: (1) results of ISU monitoring in 1990 show that average levels of secchi depth, chl-a, and total-P are approx.  equal to, or better than, overall averages for the 116 SPOLs in Iowa sampled in 1990 and 1992; average level of TSS, however, was worse than the overall mean and approached 1 SD worse than the overall mean; (2) lake does not have problems with fishkills; (3) Bachmann et al.  (1994) report relatively high levels of use for both fishing and swimming.   Thus, the lake has relatively good water quality and supports both F and S uses.  Miller & Kennedy reported a loss in lake volume from 1979-90 due to siltation; RAFT data show that levels of chlordane in bottom feeders are approx 75% of the FDA action level.  *DNR Fisheries feels that lake is impaired by siltation; thus, assess as PS.