Assessment Comments
Assessment remains based on results of fish surveys conducted by staff and students at Lakeside Laboratory in June 1998. Due to the age of the data upon which this assessment is based (greater than 10 years), the assessment of the Class B(WW2) aquatic life uses is changed from "fully supported" to “not assessed”.
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.gov/Portals/idnr/uploads/water/standards/files/swcdoc2.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 (2012) 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" due to the lack of information upon which to base an assessment. Due to the age of the data upon which this assessment is based (greater than 10 years), the assessment of the Class B(WW2) aquatic life uses is changed from "fully supported" to “not assessed” for the current (2012) assessment cycle. Previous assessments have been based on results of fish surveys conducted in 1998 by staff and students of Lakeside Laboratory.
EXPLANATION: For previous assessments, the Class B(WW2) aquatic life uses were assessed (evaluated) as "fully supported / threatened" based on results of the biological monitoring conducted on this stream segment in 1998 by students from Lakeside Laboratory. Because the data upon which these assessment were based are now more than ten years old, the Class B(WW2) uses are now considered “not assessed.” As water quality data age, they are less able to represent current water quality conditions. As data age beyond ten years, their ability to represent current water quality conditions is increasing suspect. Additional monitoring is needed in this assessment segment to update status of its aquatic communities.
