Walnut Creek IA 04-RAC-1120

Assessment Comments

Two stream use assessments.

Basis for Assessment

Used a review of the field sheets from the two August 1991 DNR stream use assessments in Polk County to continue to assess support of the Class B(LR) aquatic life uses as FST due to (1) presence or relatively diverse fish communities at both assessment sites (species/families:  15/3, 16/4) for streams in the Des Moines Lobe subecoregion (47b), (2) presence of a majority of the expected fish taxa (8 of 11 and 9 of 11) for streams in this subecoregion, and (3) lack of indications on field sheets of major threats to either the physical characteristics or aquatic habitats of the stream.   Data upon which this assessment is based are more than 5 years old.   Additional monitoring is needed to update this assessment and to determine the status of the aquatic communities and habitats.   No information available for developing an assessment of support of the Class A primary contact recreation uses (although the Des Moines Water Works has conducted sampling for bacteria in Walnut Creek).