ADBNet

Assessment Comments

Assessment is based on results of 1994 Biocriteria sampling: Fish IBI= 33(fair), 28 (fair), BM-IBI= 67(good), 59(good).

Basis for Assessment

The assessment was based on data collected in 1998 as part of the DNR/UHL stream biocriteria project.   This stream reach was sampled as part of follow-up monitoring to better identify suspected water quality impacts (see assessment for the 1998 report above).   A series of biological metrics which reflect stream water quality and habitat integrity were calculated from the biocriteria sampling data.   The biological metrics are based on the numbers and types of benthic macroinvertebrate taxa and fish species that were collected in the stream sampling reach.   The biological metrics were combined to make a fish community index of biotic integrity (F-IBI) and a benthic macroinvertebrate index (BM-IBI).   The indexes rank the biological integrity of a stream sampling reach on a rising scale from 0 (minimum) to 100 (maximum).

This stream reach was sampled at two locations.   The F-IBI scores were 31 (fair) and 7 (very poor); the BM-IBI scores were 67 (good) and 59 (good).    The aquatic life use support of this stream reach was assessed as "fully supported / threatened (=FST) based on a comparison of the F-IBI and BM-IBI scores with biological assessment criteria established specifically for the 2000 Section 305(b) report.   The biological assessment criteria were determined from a statistical analysis of data collected at stream ecoregion reference sites from 1994-1998.