Assessment Comments
Assessment based on 2000 and 2003 biocriteria/REMAP data: FIBI average (n=3) = 25.3 (fair), BMIBI average (n=2) = 49.5 (fair). FIBI BIC = 31; BMIBI BIC = 54.
Basis for Assessment
The assessment was based on data collected in 2000 and 2003 as part of the DNR/UHL stream biocriteria and REMAP projects. 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 collected in the stream sampling reach. The biological metrics were combined to make a fish community index of biotic integrity (FIBI) and a benthic macroinvertebrate index (BMIBI). The indexes rank the biological integrity of a stream sampling reach on a rising scale from 0 (minimum) to 100 (maximum). The 2000 FIBI score was 33 (fair) and the BMIBI score was 57 (good). The 2003 FIBI scores were 20 (poor) and 23 (poor) and the 2003 BMIBI score was 42 (fair) The FIBI average was 25.3 and the BMIBI average was 49.5. The aquatic life use support was assessed as partially supporting (=PS), 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 FIBI BIC for this ecoregion is 31 and the BMIBI BIC for this ecoregion is 54.
