White Fox Creek IA 04-UDM-1261

Assessment Comments

Assessment based on results of 1997, 2000 and 2009 IDNR/UHL biological monitoring data: FIBI = 48 (fair), 59 (good) and 75 (excellent); BMIBI = 63, 69, 71 (good). Riffle habitat FIBI BIC = 53, BMIBI BIC = 62.

Basis for Assessment

[Note:  Prior to the 2008 Section 305(b) cycle, this stream segment was designated only for Class B(LR) aquatic life uses.   Due to changes in Iowa’s surface water classification that were approved by U.S.  EPA in February 2008, this segment is now presumptively designated for Class A1 (primary contact recreation) uses.   The stream remains designated for aquatic life uses (now termed Class B(WW2) aquatic life uses).   Thus, for the current (2012) assessment, the available water quality monitoring data will be compared to the applicable Class A1 and Class B(WW2) water quality criteria.]

SUMMARY:  The presumptive Class A1 (primary contact recreation) uses remain "not assessed" due to the lack of information upon which to base an assessment.   The Class B(WW-2) aquatic life uses are assessed (evaluated) as "fully supported" based on results of IDNR/UHL biological monitoring in 1997, 2000 and 2009.  

EXPLANATION:  The Class B(WW2) aquatic life uses are assessed (evaluated) as “fully supporting” based on biological data collected in 1997, 2000 and 2009 as part of the IDNR/UHL stream biocriteria project.   The 1997, 2000 and 2009 FIBI scores were 48 (fair), 59 (good) and 75 (excellent).    The 1997, 2000 and 2009 BMIBI scores were 63, 69, 71 (good).   The aquatic life use support was assessed as fully supporting (=FS), based on a comparison of the FIBI and BMIBI scores with biological impairment criteria (BIC) established for previous Section 305(b) reports.   The biological impairment criteria were determined from a statistical analysis of data collected at stream ecoregion reference sites from 1994-2004.   The riffle habitat FIBI BIC for this ecoregion is 53 and the BMIBI BIC for this ecoregion is 62.   This segment passed the FIBI BIC 2/3 times and passed the BMIBI BIC 3/3 times in the past 14 years.  

This aquatic life assessment is now considered "evaluated" based on a change in the 2010 IDNR assessment methodology.   IDNR now requires a segment have two or more biological samples collected from the segment in multiple years over a five-year period to be considered “monitored”.   This segment had multiple samples collected in the previous 14 years (1997-2010); however, the multiple samples were not collected during a five-year period.   Despite this change in assessment methodology and type, this waterbody remains in IR Category 2a.