ADBNet

Assessment Comments

Assessment based on results of (1) IDNR/UHL biological (REMAP) sampling in 2002 [(evaluated): Fish IBI= 33 (fair) and (2) U.S. EPA/IDNR fish tissue (RAFT) monitoring in 2000.

Basis for Assessment

SUMMARY:  The Class A (primary contact recreation) uses are “not assessed” due to the lack of monitoring data upon which to base an assessment.   The Class B(WW) aquatic life uses are assessed (evaluated) as “fully supporting/threatened” based on results of IDNR/UHL biological (REMAP) monitoring in 2002.   Fish consumption uses remain assessed (monitored) as "fully supported" based on results of U.S.  EPA/IDNR fish contaminant (RAFT) monitoring in 2000.  

EXPLANATION:  Routine water quality monitoring is not conducted in this river segment; thus, data upon which to base assessments of the Class A uses are not available.  

The Class B(WW) aquatic life uses are assessed (evaluated) as “fully supporting/threatened” based on results of IDNR/UHL biological (REMAP) monitoring in 2002.   A series of biological metrics which reflect stream water quality and habitat integrity were calculated from the biocriteria sampling data.   The biological metrics are based on the numbers and types of benthic macroinvertebrate taxa and fish species that were collected in the stream sampling reach.   The biological metrics were combined to make a fish community index of biotic integrity (F-IBI) and a benthic macroinvertebrate index (BM-IBI).   The indexes rank the biological integrity of a stream sampling reach on a rising scale from 0 (minimum) to 100 (maximum).   The 2002 Fish IBI score was 33 (fair), which is slightly above the reference condition goal of 32 (fair) for non-riffle stream habitats.   Several game fish species and species considered sensitive to stream degradation were present in the fish survey.

Results of U.S.  EPA/IDNR fish tissue (RAFT) monitoring on the North Raccoon River near Adel in September 2000 show that levels of all contaminants in the composite samples of fillets from channel catfish were well-below ½ of the respective FDA action levels and IDNR levels of concern.   Contaminant levels in these samples were very low.