Assessment Comments
Assessment remains based on results of an October 1994 DNR stream use assessment.
Basis for Assessment
SUMMARY: The Class B(LR) aquatic life uses remain assessed as "partially supported" based on results of biological monitoring and habitat assessment conducted as part on an October 1994 IDNR stream use assessment. Although the data upon which this assessment were originally based have aged beyond 10 years--and are thus considered too old to characterize current water quality conditions--the indication of a potential impairment suggests that this stream segment should remain assessed (evaluated) as "partially supported" and thus remain in IR Category 3b (I.e., on Iowa's list of waters in need of further investigation). The assessment developed for the 2004 assessment/listing cycle is included below.
EXPLANATION: Continue to use the assessment developed for the 1998 and 2000 reports that was based on results of the 1994 IDNR stream use assessment. However, because these data are now considered too old (greater than five years) to accurately characterize current water quality conditions, the assessment category is changed from "monitored" (indicating an assessment with relatively high confidence) to "evaluated" (indicating an assessment with relatively low confidence). Follow-up monitoring is need to update this assessment, to determine the status of the aquatic communities of this stream, and to determine the degree to which the Class B(LR) aquatic life uses may be impaired.
