ADBNet

The Class B(WW2) aquatic life uses remain assessed (evaluated) as "partially supporting" based on data collected in 2001 and 2012 as part of the DNR/SHL stream biocriteria project and on data collected in 2002 as part of a DNR Fisheries stream sampling project: Cold Springs Fish Management. A series of biological metrics which reflect stream water quality and habitat integrity were calculated from the biocriteria sampling data. The biological metrics are based on the numbers and types of benthic macroinvertebrate taxa and fish species that were collected in the stream sampling reach. The biological metrics were combined to make a fish community index of biotic integrity (FIBI) and a benthic macroinvertebrate index (BMIBI). The indexes rank the biological integrity of a stream sampling reach on a rising scale from 0 (minimum) to 100 (maximum). The 2001 DNR/SHL FIBI score was 0 (poor) and the BMIBI score was 67 (good). The 2002 DNR Fisheries evaluated FIBI was 33 (fair). The 2012 DNR/SHL FIBI score was 3 (poor) and the BMIBI score was 57 (good). The aquatic life use support was assessed as partially supporting (=PS), based on a comparison of the FIBI and BMIBI scores with biological impairment criteria (BIC) established for previous Section 305(b) reports. The biological impairment criteria were determined from a statistical analysis of data collected at stream ecoregion reference sites from 1994-2008. The FIBI BIC for this ecoregion is 31 and the BMIBI BIC for this ecoregion is 54. This segment passed the FIBI BIC 1/3 times and passed the BMIBI BIC 2/2 times in the last 16 years.

This aquatic life assessment is now considered "evaluated" based on a change in the 2010 DNR assessment methodology. DNR now requires a segment have two or more biological samples collected from the segment in multiple years over a recent five-year period to be considered “monitored”. According to DNR’s assessment/listing methodology, impairments based on “evaluated” assessments are of lesser confidence and are thus not appropriate for Section 303(d) listing (Category 5 of the Integrated Report). DNR does, however, consider these impairments as appropriate for listing under either Category 2b or 3b of the Integrated Report (waters potentially impaired and in need of further investigation). However, despite this change in assessment methodology and type, this waterbody was previously on Iowa’s Section 303(d) list and thus remains on Iowa’s Section 303(d) list of impaired waters (IR Category 5b-t).