Blackbird Bend IA 06-WEM-1732

Assessment Comments

Assessment remains based on (1) information from the IDNR Wildlife Bureau and (2) results of watershed modeling by the IDNR Water Quality Bureau.

Basis for Assessment

SUMMARY:  The Class B(LW) aquatic life uses remain assessed (evaluated) as "not supported" based on information from the IDNR Wildlife Bureau.   This assessment is also based on results of watershed modeling by the IDNR Water Quality Bureau in 2002.   Fish consumption uses remain "not assessed."  This assessment is the same as that developed for the 2002, 2004, and 2006 assessment/listing cycles.

EXPLANATION:  The Class B(LW) aquatic life uses remain assessed as "not supported" based on information from the Iowa DNR Wildife Bureau (see assessments developed for the 1998 and 2000 reporting cycles).   Blackbird Bend, however, is part of an Army Corps of Engineers mitigation project along the Missouri River; this project will result in water being pumped into the wetland thus correcting the flow alteration impairment.   Watershed modeling completed by the IDNR Water Quality Bureau in 2002 for Blackbird Bend indicates that sediment delivery to this wetland from the watershed is very low.   The local DNR biologist indicates that the Missouri River does not breach the original high bank, but occasionally (10 -15 years) flood waters do enter the wetlands directly adjacent to the river.   Based on the watershed modeling data, the wetland is no longer considered "impaired" by siltation from agricultural nonpoint sources.   An updated assessment for this wetland will be needed following completion of the mitigation project.   The assessment category for this wetland of "evaluated" indicates that the assessment is based entirely on "best professional judgement."  In terms of Section 305(b) reporting, "monitored assessments" are based primarily on recent, site-specific ambient monitoring data and thus have relatively high confidence.   IDNR considers waterbodies identified as "impaired" based on "monitored assessments" as candidates for the state's Section 303(d) list.   "Evaluated assessments" are those based on data older than five years or other than site-specific ambient monitoring data (e.g., desktop modeling or questionnaire surveys of fish and game biologists [=best professional judgement]) and thus have relatively lower confidence.   IDNR does not consider waterbodies identified as "impaired" based on "evaluated assessments" as candidates for the state's Section 303(d) list.  

Fish consumption uses remain "not assessed" due to the lack of fish contaminant monitoring at this wetland.   In general, Iowa wetlands are not managed for recreational fisheries; thus, fish contaminant monitoring is not typically conducted at these waterbodies.