Assessment Comments

Basis for Assessment

Used description of the phycial characteristics and fishing quality of the lower reach of the N.Raccoon River as described by Harlan et al.  (1987: 11-12): "an excellent fishing stream despite the characteristic for violent water level fluctuation and heavy silt loads during intense rain storms in the basin.   Undredged sections above Perry provide very good fishing for catfish and carp along with walleye, smallmouth bass, and northern pike."  Description of river suggests that channel straightening and delivery of sediment to river in nonpoint source runoff are threats to the continued support of the Class B(WW) aquatic life uses.  No inormation available to assess support of the Class A (swimmable) uses.