Lizard Creek IA 04-UDM-1278

Assessment Comments

Assessment is based on 1996 biocriteria: IBI=44, 23 spp., 5 fams.; 1996 Biocriteria: Fish IBI=67 (good), BM-IBI=75 (good).

Basis for Assessment

Used results of the September 1996 DNR biocriteria sampling to update the assessment of support of the Class B(WW) aquatic life uses; based on results of this sampling, assess support of the Class B(WW) uses as FST due to (1) presence of a relatively diverse fish community of 23 species from 5 families, (2) presence of a majority of the expected fish taxa (7 of 11*) for streams in the Des Moines Lobe subecoregion, (3) lack of violations of Class B(WW) WQ criteria in the sample collected during biocriteria sampling, and (4) presence of game fish species (channel catfish).  (*Several of the missing fish taxa are small stream species (e.g., blacknose dace and creek chub) that occur less frequently in larger streams such as this reach of Lizard Cr.)