Missouri River IA 06-WEM-1715

Assessment Comments

Assessment is based on (1) surveys of Nebraska fisheries biologists, (2) consultation with DNR staff and (3) results of fish tissue (RAFT) monitoring near Little Sioux in 1997.

Basis for Assessment

SUMMARY:  The Class A (primary contact recreation) uses remain "not assessed."  The Class B(WW) aquatic life uses remain assessed as "partially supported."  The fish consumption uses are assessed as "fully supported."  EXPLANATION:  The Class A uses remain "not assessed" due to the lack of monitoring data for indicator bacteria for this reach of the Missouri River.   The Class B(WW) uses remain assessed as "partially supported" based on the assessment developed for the 1998 and 2000 reports (i.e., habitat alterations and flow modifications that resulted from development of the river  for navigation uses in the mid-Twentieth Century).   This assessment was developed in consultation with the Missouri River fisheries biologist for the state of Nebraska.   Fish consumption uses remain assessed as "fully supported" based on EPA/DNR fish tissue (RAFT) monitoring near Little Sioux in Harrison County in 1997 (see assessment for the 2000 report).