Assessment Comments

Assessment is based on stream use assessments.

Basis for Assessment

Used results of the three DNR stream use assessments conducted in November 1990 and September 1994 to assess support of the Class B(WW) aquatic life uses as FST due to (1) habitat scores 25, 23 & 23) better than the overall median score (22) for DNR stream use assessments, (2) indications on field sheet of diverse substrates, presence of pool/riffle sequences, and moderately stable stream banks, (3) fish scores (12, 10 & 13) equal to or better than the respective 75th percentile scores for DNR stream use assessments made with seines and electrofishers, and (4) presence of a very diverse fish community (23 and 25 species from 8 families) that includes adult and juvenile channel catfish.   Field sheets suggest that continued support of aquatic life uses is threatened by channel alterations (straightening), agricultural nonpoint source runoff, and stream bank erosion.   Most of reach in Marion County appears to be extensively channelized.  No violations of Class B(WW) water quality criteria in 8 samples collected from 9310 to 9509 at DNR quarterly water quality monitoring station SW of Knoxville.