Willow Slough IA 05-NSH-1443

Assessment Comments

Assessment is based on surveys of the DNR Wildlife Bureau.

Basis for Assessment

SUMMARY:  The Class B(LW) aquatic life uses remained assessed as "fully supported / threatend."  Fish consumption uses remain "not assessed."  EXPLANATION:  Based on a review of the previous (2000) assessment (see above) by the DNR Wildlife Bureau, the Class B(LW) aquatic life uses remain assessed as "fully supported / threatened."  The primary threat remains siltation from agricultural nonpoint sources.   According to the local DNR Wildlife Biologist (Priebe), Willow Slough normally has very good water quality but receives considerable sedimentation due to locally heavy rains.   Fish consumption uses remain "not assessed."  In general, Iowa wetlands are not managed for recreational fisheries; thus, fish contaminant monitoring is not typically conducted at these waterbodies.