Mill Creek Lake IA 06-LSR-1616

Assessment Comments

Assessment is based on: (1) results of the statewide survey of Iowa lakes conducted from 2009-2012 by Iowa State University (ISU), (2) results of the statewide ambient lake monitoring program conducted in 2008 by University Hygienic Laboratory (UHL), and (3) information from the IDNR Fisheries Bureau.

Basis for Assessment

SUMMARY: The Class A1 (primary contact recreation) uses are assessed (monitored) as “fully supported.”  The Class B(LW) (aquatic life) uses are assessed (monitored) as “fully supported.”  Fish consumption uses remain “not assessed” due to a lack of information on which to base an assessment.   Sources of data for this assessment include (1) results of the statewide survey of Iowa lakes conducted from 2009-2012 by Iowa State University (ISU), (2) results of the statewide ambient lake monitoring program conducted in 2008 by University Hygienic Laboratory (UHL), and (3) information from the IDNR Fisheries Bureau.

EXPLANATION: Results from the ISU and UHL lake surveys suggest that the Class A1 uses at Mill Creek Lake are “fully supported.”  Using the median values from these surveys from 2008-2012 (approximately 14 samples), Carlson’s (1977) trophic state indices for Secchi depth, chlorophyll a, and total phosphorus were 59, 56, and 58 respectively for Mill Creek Lake.   According to Carlson (1977) the Secchi depth, chlorophyll a, and total phosphorus values all place Mill Creek Lake in the eutrophic category.   These values suggest relatively low levels of chlorophyll a and suspended algae in the water, relatively good water transparency, and relatively low levels of phosphorus in the water column.  

The level of inorganic suspended solids is moderately high at this lake and does not suggest impairment due to non-algal turbidity.   The median inorganic suspended solids concentration at Mill Creek Lake was 3.0 mg/L, and ranked 58th of the 134 monitored lakes.

Results from the 2008-2012 lake monitoring suggest that a moderate population of cyanobacteria exists at Mill Creek Lake, which does not suggest impairment at this lake.   These data show that cyanobacteria comprised only 66% of the phytoplankton wet mass at this lake.   The median cyanobacteria wet mass (25.2 mg/L) was also the 19th lowest of the 134 lakes sampled.  

The Class B(LW) (aquatic life) uses are assessed as “fully supported” based on information from the IDNR Fisheries Bureau and results from the ISU and UHL lake surveys.   Moderately high levels of nutrients in the water column, algal turbidity, and siltation, however, remain water quality concerns at this lake according to the IDNR Fisheries Bureau.   The ISU and UHL lake survey results show generally good chemical water quality at Mill Creek Lake.   During 2008-2012 there were no violations of the Class B(LW) criterion for ammonia in 14 samples or the Class B(LW) criterion for dissolved oxygen in 14 samples.   Data from the ISU and UHL surveys showed no violations of the Class A1,B(LW) criterion for pH in 14 samples.  These results suggest "full support" of the Class B (LW) uses.    

Fish consumption uses remain "not assessed" due to the lack of fish contaminant monitoring in this lake.