Lake Petocka (formerly Lake Patoka) IA 03-SSK-1918

Polk Co. T80N R22W Section 29 SW East of Bondurant on Hwy 65

Open Data Collection Period Modal

For purposes of developing stream/river water quality assessments for integrated reporting, three years of water quality data are typically used for both conventional pollutant parameters (e.g., indicator bacteria) and the less frequently monitored toxic parameters (e.g., toxic metals). Since the 2004 IR cycle, DNR has used a three-year data gathering period for streams, rivers, and beaches. For most assessments, the use of three years of data increases the number of samples upon which the decision on use support is based and helps address the problem of weather-related year-to-year fluctuations in water quality.

Due to the lower sampling frequency in Iowa’s ambient lake, biological, fish kill, and fish tissue monitoring programs, five years of data are used for developing IR assessments and for identifying Section 303(d) listings.

Data Type	Data Timeframe
Beach Sampling Data	CY 2020 - 2022
Stream/River Water Quality Data	CY 2020 - 2022
Lake Water Quality Data	CY 2018 - 2022
Biological Sampling Data	CY 2018 - 2022*
Fish Kill Data	CY 2018 - 2022
Fish Tissue Sampling Data	CY 2018 - 2022
Continuous Dissolved Oxygen Sampling Data	CY 2018 - 2022
*Biological sites sampled in both 2017 and 2021 were also assessed.

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Cycle: 2024
Release Status: Final
Overall IR: 2 - Some of the designated uses are met but there is insufficient data to determine if remaining designated uses are met.
Trophic: Unknown
Trend: Unknown
Created: 11/1/2023 8:13:45 AM
Updated: 1/18/2024 12:43:01 PM

Use Support

Class BLW

Aquatic Life - Lakes and wetlands

Not Assessed

Class HH

Human Health -

Fully Supported

Impairment Delistings

Cycle Added	Class	Cause	Data Source	Rationale
2006	Class BLW	Fish Kill: Caused By Chlorine	Biological monitoring: Iowa DNR Fisheries	New data: recovery of fish community from pollutant-caused fish kill

Documentation

Assessment Summary

The Class BLW use was "not assessed" based on biological monitoring that showed recovery of the fish community in this segment from the fish kill. The Class HH (fish consumption) use was assessed (monitored) as "fully supported" based on fish tissue sampling data.

Assessment Explanation

Data Sources:

Data Source	Data Source ID	Data Type	Data Age	Site ID	Site Name	Site Description
Iowa DNR	6	FT	See Below	1258	Lake Petocka	Near Bondurant

Class BLW - Fish kill Assessment:

The Class BLW use previously resided in Category 5a based on a fish kill that occurred in 2005. This segment’s fish community has been sampled and managed numerous times since 2011 by DNR fisheries staff. Fisheries biologists Ben Dodd and Tyler Stubbshave reported that the effects of the fish kill are no longer present and that there is a stable fish population at the lake. Based on the information provided below, the Category for the fish kill assessment was changed from 5b to 3a (not assessed).

Information Provided by Fisheries Biologists:Lake Petocka has not experienced any recent fish kills and it supports a sustainable game fish population. This fishery is actively managed by the Iowa DNR Fisheries Bureau, in conjunction with the City of Bondurant. The most recent game fish population trend survey (2021) indicates that three Centrarchid species (Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Largemouth Bass) are present. The body condition and size structure of these species indicate that growth of these species is adequate. Interestingly, Lake Petocka boasted the second highest catch rate of Bluegill in the Des Moines metro via electrofishing, and it is known for its quality panfishing (see attached figures).

Channel Catfish are also managed at Lake Petocka by stocking large fingerlings (8-10”) on a biennial basis. Since 2011, the Iowa DNR Fisheries Bureau has stocked 2,554 fingerlings to augment the existing catfish population.

Furthermore, Lake Petocka is promoted as a public fishery on the Iowa DNR’s Fish Local page and City of Bondurant’s website. The City of Bondurant is also planning to construct an ADA accessible fishing pier to improve angler access. The Iowa DNR has stocked 2,800 catchable Rainbow Trout annually to provide a unique angling experience for Central Iowa anglers since 2011. This lake was selected for its adequate Dissolved Oxygen levels in cool months and stable water chemistry.

For the aforementioned reasons, Iowa DNR Fisheries Managers (Ben Dodd and Tyler Stubbs) recommend that the EPA consider removing Lake Petocka from the 303(d) Impaired Waters List.

Details about the 2005 fish kill can be found here: http://programs.iowadnr.gov/fishkill/Events/636

Class HH - Fish Tissue Sampling:

Site ID	Biopart	Year	Species	# in sample / # of samples	Avg Length (cm)	(Avg) Hg (ppm)	Chlordane (ppm)	Sum PCBs (ppm)
1258	tissue plug	2019	largemouth bass	10	32.3	0.289
Support Level	Full

Monitoring and Methods

Assessment Key Dates

7/1/2019

Fish Tissue Monitoring

Methods

120

Surveys of fish and game biologists/other professionals

260

Fish tissue analysis