Assessment Comments
Assessment remains based on information from the IDNR Wildlife Bureau.
Basis for Assessment
SUMMARY/EXPLANATION: The Class B(LW) aquatic life uses are assessed (evaluated) as "fully supported” based on information from the IDNR Wildlife Bureau. Limited water quality sampling was conducted at this wetland in 2008 by IDNR. One sample was collected in September of 2008. Carlson’s (1977) trophic state indices for chlorophyll a from this one sample was 70, which puts Barringer Slough in the hypereutrophic category. These results suggest very high levels of suspended algae in the water column. These data are not sufficient to make an assessment of water quality at this wetland. Additional monitoring is necessary to evaluate the Class B(LW) uses at Barringer Slough.
Fish consumption uses remain "not assessed" due to the lack of fish contaminant monitoring at this wetland. In general, Iowa wetlands are not managed for recreational fisheries; thus, fish contaminant monitoring is not typically conducted at these waterbodies.
