Little Storm Lake IA 04-RAC-1144

Buena Vista Co S5T90NR37W at W edge of Storm Lake city.

Open Data Collection Period Modal

For purposes of developing stream/river water quality assessments for integrated reporting, three years of water quality data are typically used for both conventional pollutant parameters (e.g., indicator bacteria) and the less frequently monitored toxic parameters (e.g., toxic metals). Since the 2004 IR cycle, DNR has used a three-year data gathering period for streams, rivers, and beaches. For most assessments, the use of three years of data increases the number of samples upon which the decision on use support is based and helps address the problem of weather-related year-to-year fluctuations in water quality.

Due to the lower sampling frequency in Iowa’s ambient lake, biological, fish kill, and fish tissue monitoring programs, five years of data are used for developing IR assessments and for identifying Section 303(d) listings.

Data Type	Data Timeframe
Beach Sampling Data	CY 2020 - 2022
Stream/River Water Quality Data	CY 2020 - 2022
Lake Water Quality Data	CY 2018 - 2022
Biological Sampling Data	CY 2018 - 2022*
Fish Kill Data	CY 2018 - 2022
Fish Tissue Sampling Data	CY 2018 - 2022
Continuous Dissolved Oxygen Sampling Data	CY 2018 - 2022
*Biological sites sampled in both 2017 and 2021 were also assessed.

Open Segment Map
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Cycle: 2024
Release Status: Final
Overall IR: 3 - Insufficient data exist to determine whether any designated uses are met.
Trend: Unknown
Created: 11/1/2023 8:13:50 AM
Updated: 2/5/2024 8:50:10 AM

Use Support

Class A1

Recreation - Primary contact

Not Assessed

Class BLW

Aquatic Life - Lakes and wetlands

WINOFI

Sedimentation/Siltation

Support Level

Further Investigation Needed

Impairment Code

3b - Use potentially impaired based on an evaluated assessment.

Cause Magnitude

Slight

Status

Continuing

Source

Agriculture

Source Confidence

Low

Cycle Added

1998

Impairment Rationale

Adverse impacts on plant/animal communities

Data Source

Biological monitoring: Iowa DNR Wildlife

Exotic/Invasive Species

Support Level

Further Investigation Needed

Impairment Code

3b - Use potentially impaired based on an evaluated assessment.

Cause Magnitude

Slight

Status

Continuing

Source

Unknown: Source Unknown

Source Confidence

Low

Cycle Added

1998

Impairment Rationale

Adverse impacts on plant/animal communities

Data Source

Biological monitoring: Iowa DNR Wildlife

Class HH

Human Health -

Not Assessed

Impairment Delistings

No delistings for this assessment cycle.

Documentation

Assessment Summary

The Class BLW use was assessed (evaluated) as "WINOFI" based on information from the DNR Wildlife Bureau. All other designated uses were “not assessed.” This assessment was the same as that developed for previous assessment/listing cycles.

Assessment Explanation

Class A1 - No Data -

Class BLW -

The Class BLW aquatic life use was assessed (evaluated) as "WINOFI" based on information from the Iowa DNR Wildlife Bureau and Fisheries Bureau. According to the local DNR Wildlife Biologist, zebra muscles are in the main lake (Storm). Carp can enter the system through the water controls structures/gates. The pump installed to dewater the system currently is non-functional. The marsh is currently in year three of drought. Wetland vegetation is abundant. Turbidity is a major issue during heavy rainfalls. There are very little conservation practices in the watershed to improve water quality. Additionally, according to the local DNR Fisheries Biologist, Little Storm Lake has a lot of purple loosestrife. Zebra mussels have been confirmed in Storm Lake proper for many years now, but it is unknown whether or not they are in Little Storm Lake.The assessment category for this wetland of "evaluated" indicates that the assessment is based entirely on "best professional judgment.” In terms of Section 305(b) reporting, "monitored assessments" are based primarily on recent, site-specific ambient monitoring data and thus have relatively high confidence. DNR considers waterbodies identified as "impaired" based on "monitored assessments" as candidates for the state's Section 303(d) list. "Evaluated assessments" are those based on data older than five years or other than site-specific ambient monitoring data (e.g., questionnaire surveys of fish and game biologists [=best professional judgment]) and thus have relatively low confidence. DNR does not consider waterbodies identified as "impaired" based on "evaluated assessments" as candidates for the state's Section 303(d) list.

Class HH - Fish Tissue sampling: No Data -

In general, Iowa wetlands are not managed for recreational fisheries; thus, fish contaminant monitoring is not typically conducted at these waterbodies.

Monitoring and Methods

Assessment Key Dates

None listed

Methods

120

Surveys of fish and game biologists/other professionals