Assessment Comments

Assessment is based on results of IDNR ambient monthly monitoring near Pisgah (950032 - 21IOWA/DNR).

Basis for Assessment

SUMMARY:  The Class B(WW) aquatic life uses were assessed as "fully supporting."  Fish consumption uses remained "not assessed."  EXPLANATION:  The assessments of support of beneficial uses were based on results of DNR monthly water quality monitoring conducted on the Soldier River near Pisgah (station 950032) during the 1998-1999 biennial period.   None of the 24 samples collected during the 1998-1999 biennial period violated Class B(WW) water quality criteria for pH, dissolved oxygen, or ammonia-nitrogen; no violations occurred in the one sample analyzed for toxic metals.   For the 1998 report, the Class B(WW) aquatic life uses were assessed as "fully supported" but "threatened" due to historical impacts of extensive channelization and other impacts of the riparian corridor of the Soldier River.   This assessment of "threatened," however, was strictly a "professional judgement" and was not supported by field assessments of either habitat or the biological communities.   Until such assessments are conducted, the assessment of support of the Class B(WW) uses will be based only on results of the available information on chemical water quality monitoring and the comparisons of these results to the Iowa Water Quality Standards.   Thus, the Class B(WW) uses were assessed as "fully supporting" for the 2000 report.   Support of the fish consumption uses remains "not assessed" due to the lack of recent fish contaminant monitoring in this river reach.