Assessment Comments
Assessment is based on (1) surveys of Nebraska fisheries biologists and consultation with IDNR staff and (2) results of U.S. EPA/IDNR fish tissue (RAFT) monitoring near Little Sioux in 1997.
Basis for Assessment
SUMMARY: The Class A (primary contact recreation) uses remain "not assessed" due to the lack of water quality information upon which to base an assessment. The Class B(WW) aquatic life uses remain assessed (evaluated) as "partially supported" based on information from local fisheries biologists on impacts related to flow modification and habitat alterations in this segment of the Missouri River. The fish consumption uses are assessed (monitored) as "fully supported" based on results of fish contaminant monitoring in 1997. The sources of information for this assessment include (1) results of U.S. EPA/IDNR fish tissue monitoring near Little Sioux in 1997 and (2) information from Nebraska fisheries biologists.
EXPLANATION: The Class A uses remained "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, 2000, and 2002 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 are assessed (monitored) as "fully supported" based on results of U.S. EPA / IDNR fish tissue (RAFT) monitoring in 1997 near Little Sioux in Harrison County (see the assessment developed for the 2000 reporting cycle for more information).
