Eagle Creek IA 04-UDM-1266

Assessment Comments

Assessment remains based on 2001 Fisheries data: FIBI = 53 (good). Riffle site FIBI BIC = 55.

Basis for Assessment

[Note:  Prior to the current (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 (see http://www.iowadnr.com/water/standards/files/06mar_swc.pdf), 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 (2008) assessment, the available water quality monitoring data will be compared to the applicable Class A1 and Class B(WW2) water quality criteria.]

SUMMARY/EXPLANATION:  The presumptive Class A1 (primary contact recreation) uses are "not assessed" due to the lack of information upon which to base an assessment.

The assessment of the Class B(WW2) aquatic life uses remains based on data collected in 2001 as part of a DNR Fisheries stream sampling project: Manchester research station.   A series of biological metrics which reflect stream water quality and habitat integrity were calculated from the Fisheries sampling data.   The biological metrics are based on the numbers and types of fish species that were collected in the stream sampling reach.   The biological metrics were combined to make a fish community index of biotic integrity (FIBI).   The index ranks the biological integrity of a stream sampling reach on a rising scale from 0 (minimum) to 100 (maximum).   The 2001 FIBI = 53 (good).   The aquatic life use support was assessed as Fully Supporting (=FS), based on a comparison of the FIBI score 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 site FIBI BIC for this ecoregion is 55 and this site passed using the UAV of 7 points.