Assessment Comments

Assessment is based on results of IDNR ambient monthly monitoring near Bussey and stream use assessments.

Basis for Assessment

Continue to use assessment developed for the 1996 report (FST), plus included results from DNR quarterly WQ monitoring station near Bussey:  no violations of WQ criteria for conventional or toxic contaminants in the 8 samples collected during the FY96-97 period; thus, the Class B(WW) aquatic life uses are FST.   A review of the field sheet from the June 1992 DNR stream use assessment near Bussey supports this assessment due to (1) presence of a moderately diverse fish community (13 species from 5 families) for streams in the Central Irregular Plains ecoregion (40) and (2) presence of a majority of the expected fish taxa (6 of 8) for streams in this ecoregion.   This reach of Cedar Creek was identified in 1992 by DNR Fisheries Biologists as impaired due to impacts from coal mining operations.   In addition, Detroy et al.  (1983:40) report pH values of less than 6.0 units for Cedar Creek near Bussey.   Despite the potential for impacts due to low pH, the results of the June 1992 DNR stream use assessment suggest a relatively healthy biological community, and recent WQ monitoring near Bussey does not suggest a problem with low pH.