East Branch Buttrick Creek IA 04-RAC-1150

Assessment Comments

Assessment is based on results of DNR fish surveys in 1996 near Paton.

Basis for Assessment

Used a review of the field sheet from the 1992 DNR stream use assessment and field notes from the 1996 DNR stream survey to upgrade the assessment of support of the Class B(LR) aquatic life uses from FST to FS due reasons stated in the assessment developed for the 1996 305(b) report (see above):  very diverse fish community (28 species from 5 families, presence of all the expected fish taxa (11 of 11) for streams in the Des Moines Lobe subecoregion (47b), presence of WQ-sensitive fish species including the listed Topeka shiner, and relatively high quality aquatic habitats in areas significant channel alterations.   As noted in the assessment developed for the 1994 report, the headwater reaches of this stream have been extensively channelized, and areas of streambank erosion exist, but these alterations have not altered the aquatic community beyond what is expected of a Class B(LR) stream in this subecoregion.