ADBNet

Assessment Comments

Assessment is based on results of a May 1994 IDNR stream use assessment.

Basis for Assessment

SUMMARY:  The Class B(LR) aquatic life uses remain assessed (evaluated) as "fully supported / threatened" (minor impacts) based on results of biological monitoring and habitat assessment conducted as part of the May 1994 IDNR stream use assessment.   Due to the age of these data, the assessment category is changed from "monitored" (higher-confidence assessment) to "evaluated" (lower-confidence assessment).  

EXPLANATION:  Continue to use the assessment developed for the 1996, 1998 and 2000 reports that was based on results of the 1994 IDNR stream use assessment.    As stated in the assessment developed for the previous reporting cycles, the number of fish species (=7) and families (=2) collected during the 1994 stream use assessment are relatively low for streams in the Des Moines Lobe subecoregion (47b), and only 5 of the 11 expected fish taxa for Des Moines Lobe streams were present.   Thus, additional sampling with more a more effective gear type is still needed to better determine the status of the aquatic communities.   The field sheet from the 1994 assessment indicates the presence of relatively high quality aquatic habitats, and field notes indicate that effective seining was hindered by rocks and snags.   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).