Assessment Comments
Assessment is based on results of IDNR/UHL biological (biocriteria) monitoring in 2002: FIBI = 54 (good), BMIBI = 55 (fair). Riffle site FIBI BIC = 53, BMIBI BIC = 62.
Basis for Assessment
SUMMARY: The Class A (primary contact recreation) uses remain "not assessed" due to the lack of information upon which to base an assessment. The Class B(LR) aquatic life uses are assessed (monitored) as "fully supported" based on results of IDNR/UHL biological (biocriteria) sampling in 2002.
EXPLANATION: The Class A designation was added to this segment of Prairie Creek in September 2001; no water quality data or other information are available upon which to base an assessment of support for this use designation.
The Class B(LR) aquatic life assessment was based on data collected in 2002 as part of the DNR/UHL stream biocriteria project. The 2002 FIBI score was 54 (good) and the BMIBI score was 55 (fair). The aquatic life use support was assessed as fully supporting (=FS), 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 1994-2004. The riffle site FIBI BIC for this ecoregion is 53 and the BMIBI BIC for this ecoregion is 62.
