Assessment Comments
Assessment remains based on results of an IDNR investigation of a fish kill that occurred on a tributary of Steeles Branch in August 2002.
Basis for Assessment
SUMMARY: The Class B(CW) aquatic life uses remain assessed (monitored) as "partially supported" due to occurrence of a fish kill on a tributary of Steeles Branch in August 2002. This kill was caused by a spill. Fish consumption uses are "not assessed" due to the lack of fish contaminant monitoring in this stream reach.
EXPLANATION: The fish kill occurred on August 2, 2002, and resulted from the spillage from a 500 gallon tank containing liquid animal feed containing molasses; the tank slid off a flatbed truck into a road ditch; an undetermined amount of liquid feed was spilled. Approximately 0.5 miles of this tributary was affected; a total of 153 fish was killed. The party responsible for this kill was identified. Steeles Branch was not affected by this kill.
According to DNR's assessment methodology for Section 305(b) reporting, occurrence of a single pollution-caused fish kill during an assessment period indicates "partial support" of the aquatic life uses. If, however, a consent order has been issued to the party responsible for the kill and monetary restitution has been sought for the fish killed, the affected waterbody should be placed in IR Category 4d (impaired but TMDL not required). Thus, this assessment segment was placed into Category 4d of Iowa's 2004 Integrated Report. Because this kill occurred during the current (2006) assessment period (I.e., 2002-2004), this assessment will remain in Category 4d of Iowa's 2006 Integrated Report.
Fish consumption uses are "not assessed" due to the lack of fish contaminant monitoring in this stream reach.
