Assessment Comments
Assessment remains based on results of fish surveys conducted by staff and students at Lakeside Laboratory in June 1998.
Basis for Assessment
[Note: Prior to the current (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 (2008) 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 are "not assessed" due to the lack of information upon which to base an assessment. The Class B(WW2) aquatic life uses remain assessed (evaluated) as "fully supported" based on results of fish surveys conducted in 1998 by staff and students of Lakeside Laboratory.
EXPLANATION: The Class B(WW2) aquatic life uses remain assessed as "fully supported / threatened" based on results of the biological monitoring conducted on this stream segment in 1998 by students from Lakeside Laboratory (see assessments for the 1998 and 2000 reporting cycles for more information). 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). Also, because these data were collected for purposes other than assessing stream health, the assessment type is considered "evaluated."
