Assessment Comments
Assessment remains based on 2006 IDNR/SHL biological sampling data: FIBI = 18 (poor), BMIBI = 49 (fair). FIBI BIC = 31; BMIBI BIC = 54.
Basis for Assessment
[Note: Prior to the 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 assessment, the available water quality monitoring data will be compared to the applicable Class A1 and Class B(WW2) water quality criteria.]
SUMMARY: The presumptive Class A1 (primary contact recreation) uses remain "not assessed" (IR 3a) due to the lack of information upon which to base an assessment. The Class B(WW2) aquatic life uses remain assessed (evaluated) as “partially supporting” (IR 3b-c) based on biological data collected as part of the 2006 IDNR/SHL stream REMAP project. This assessment is considered evaluated (lower confidence) because of the stream conditions at the time of the sampling. Sampling staff indicated that the sampling conditions were only "fair" due to high flow/current, width, and excessive turbidity. All three of those conditions negatively affect fish sampling and the resultant FIBI scores.
EXPLANATION: The Class B(WW2) aquatic life uses remain assessed (evaluated) as “partially supporting based on biological data collected in 2006 as part of the IDNR/UHL stream REMAP project. A series of biological metrics which reflect stream water quality and habitat integrity were calculated from the biological 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 2006 FIBI score was 18 (poor) and the BMIBI score was 49 (fair). The aquatic life use support was assessed (evaluated) 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 FIBI BIC for this ecoregion is 31 and the BMIBI BIC for this ecoregion is 54. The biological impairment criteria were determined from a statistical analysis of data collected at stream ecoregion reference sites from 1994-2008. This segment failed the FIBI BIC and passed the BMIBI BIC (using the BMIBI UAV of 8 points) in 2006.
This aquatic life assessment is considered "evaluated" because there were not two or more samples collected from this segment in multiple years over a recent five-year period. According to IDNR’s assessment/listing methodology, impairments based on “evaluated” assessments are of lesser confidence and are thus not appropriate for Section 303(d) listing (Category 5 of the Integrated Report). Also, because these data are now considered too old (greater than five years) to accurately characterize current water quality conditions, the assessment category is considered “evaluated” (indicating an assessment with relatively lower confidence) as opposed to "monitored" (indicating an assessment with relatively higher confidence). IDNR does, however, consider these impairments as appropriate for listing under either Category 2b or 3b of the Integrated Report (waters potentially impaired and in need of further investigation). Therefore, despite this change in assessment methodology and type, this waterbody remains in IR Category 3b-c and is considered a water in need of further investigation.
