Assessment Comments
Assessment is based on (1) surveys by the DNR Fisheries Bureau (the most recent in September 2000) and (2) information from the IDNR Fisheries Bureau in 2000 and 2002.
Basis for Assessment
SUMMARY: The Class A (primary contact recreation) uses remain "not assessed." The Class B(WW) aquatic life uses remain assessed as "fully supported / threatened" (minor impacts). Fish consumption uses remain "not assessed." EXPLANATION: The Class A uses remain "not assessed" due to the lack of water quality information for this segment upon which to base an assessment. The Class B(WW) aquatic life uses remain assessed as "fully supported / threatened" based on the previous assessment for this river segment (see assessment for the 2000 report above). Updated information from the IDNR Fisheries Bureau suggests that problems with growth and reproduction of smallmouth bass continue. Habitat quality is still seen as a key factor, but water quality--specifically, high levels of ammonia-nitrogen--may also be impacting the smallmouth bass populations in this segment. Due, however, to the lack of routine, ambient monitoring in the Middle Raccoon River, the data to support this hypothesis do not exist. Nonetheless, the continuing problems with the smallmouth bass population in this segment suggests that the Class B(WW) uses should remain assessed as "fully supporting / threatened." Fish consumption uses remain "not assessed" due to the lack of fish contaminant monitoring in this river segment.
