Iowa DNR
Iowa DNR
ADBNet
Water Quality Assessments
Impaired Waters List

Brushy Creek IA 04-RAC-1209

from confluence with unnamed tributary (S6 T82N R34W Carroll Co.) to headwaters in S27 T84N R36W Carroll Co.

Assessment Cycle
2002
Result Period
1998 - 2000
Designations
Assessment Methodology
Assessment Type
Evaluated
Integrated Report
Category 0
Legacy ADBCode
IA 04-RAC-0253_0
Overall Use Support
Partial
Aquatic Life Use Support
Partial
Documentation
Assessment Comments

Assessment is based on occurrence of a fish kill in May 2000.

Basis for Assessment

Not assessed for Section 305(b) reports prior to 2002.  The general aquatic life uses are assessed (evaluated) as "partially supported" due to occurrence of a fish kill.   EXPLANATION:  A fish kill occurred on this stream segment on May 3, 2000.   The kill affected approximatley 6 miles of Brushy Creek north of Halbur in Carroll County.   The kill started approximately 5 miles NNW of Halur in Section 23, T84N, R36W and extended approximately 6 miles downstream; an estimated 6,000 fish were killed.   The kill was apparently caused by truck wash effluent from a livestock trailer washing operation.   According to DNR's assessment methodology for Section 305(b) reporting, occurrence of a single pollution-caused fish kill during the most recent three-year period (1998-2001) indicates "partial support" of the aquatic life uses.   Thus, the general aquatic life uses of this stream segment were assessed as "partially supported."

Monitoring and Methods
Assessment Key Dates
5/3/2000 Fishkill
Methods
140 Incidence of spills and/or fish kills
Monitoring Levels
Biological 0
Habitat 0
Physical Chemistry 0
Toxic 0
Pathogen Indicators 0
Other Health Indicators 0
Other Aquatic Life Indicators 0
# of Bio Sites 0
BioIntegrity N/A
Causes and Sources of Impairment
Causes Use Support Cause Magnitude Sources Source Magnitude
Organic enrichment/Low DO Overall Use Support Moderate
  • Spills
  • Moderate
Organic enrichment/Low DO Aquatic Life Support Moderate
  • Spills
  • Moderate
Unionized Ammonia Overall Use Support Moderate
  • Spills
  • Moderate
Unionized Ammonia Aquatic Life Support Moderate
  • Spills
  • Moderate