Assessment Comments

Assessment is based on results of IDNR monthly ambient monitoring near Knoxville.

Basis for Assessment

SUMMARY:  The Class B(WW) aquatic life uses remain "fully supported / threatened."  The fish consumption uses remain "not assessed."  EXPLANATION:  The previous assessment of support of the Class B(WW) uses was based on (1) results from the DNR quarterly monitoring station northwest of Knoxville (station 100818) and (2) results of two DNR stream use assessments conducted in September 1994 in Marion and Warren counties.   The DNR quarterly station was last monitored from October 1993 through September 1995, and approximately half of the data from this monitoring period are now considered too old (greater than five years) for characterizing current water quality conditions.   As part of DNR's expanded water quality monitoring program, monthly monitoring at the Knoxville station began in October 1999.   Results from this monitoring will allow development of an updated assessment of support of beneficial uses for the 2002 report.   The results of the September 1994 DNR stream use assessments-upon which the previous assessment of the Class B(WW) uses was primarily based ("fully supported / threatened")-are approximately 5 years old and can be used to assess current water quality conditions.   Thus, in the absence of subsequent monitoring in this stream reach, the assessment of support of the Class B(WW) aquatic life uses remains "fully supported / threatened" (see assessments developed for the 1996 and 1998 reports above).   The fish consumption uses remain "not assessed" due to a lack of fish tissue monitoring in this stream reach.