Assessment Comments

Assessment is based on results of IDNR ambient monthly water quality monitoring near James and September 1990 IDNR stream use assessment conducted in Plymouth county (now > 5 years old).

Basis for Assessment

Changed the assessment of support of the Class B(WW) aquatic life uses from PS to FST due to a review of the field sheet from the September 1990 DNR stream use assessment conducted near Merrill.   The fish community at this location contained most of the expected species/genera for streams in this region (47e) including channel catfish (note on field sheet:  "relatively good habitat for channel catfish; relatively deep pools; fair number of snags").   Thus, composition of the fish community, as well as results of monthly water quality monitoring near James, suggest that the Class B(WW) uses are fully supported.   The biological data used to develop this assessment are more than 5 years old.  Additional monitoring is needed to determine the status of the aquatic communities and habitats and to provide information for an updated and more accurate assessment of support of the Class B(WW) uses.