Cheslea Creek IA 02-WIN-1922

from Mason City gravel pits (NE1/4 NE1/4 S17 T96N R20W Cerro Gordo Co.) to confluence with unnamed tributary in S32 T96N R20W Cerro Gordo Co.

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 2012 - 2014
Stream/River Water Quality Data	CY 2012 - 2014
Lake Water Quality Data	CY 2010 - 2014
Biological Sampling Data	CY 2010 - 2014*
Fish Kill Data	CY 2010 - 2014
Fish Tissue Sampling Data	CY 2010 - 2014
Continuous Dissolved Oxygen Sampling Data	CY 2010 - 2014
*Biological sites sampled in both 2009 and 2013 were also assessed.

Open Segment Map
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Cycle: 2016
Release Status: Final
Overall IR: 4 - Water is impaired or threatened and a TMDL has been completed or is not needed.
Trend: Unknown
Created: 9/26/2016 9:03:28 AM
Updated: 12/16/2016 11:26:50 AM

Use Support

Class A1

Presumptive Use

Recreation - Primary contact

Not Assessed

Class BWW1

Presumptive Use

Aquatic Life - Warm Water Type 1

Partially Supported

Fish Kill: Caused By Other

Support Level

Partially Supported

Impairment Code

4d - Pollutant-caused fish kill. No TMDL needed and administrative action taken against responsible party.

Cause Magnitude

Moderate

Status

Continuing

Source

Industrial

Source Confidence

High

Cycle Added

2014

Impairment Rationale

Pollutant-caused fish kill

Data Source

Fish kill investigation: Iowa DNR

General Use

General Use water -

Not Assessed

Impairment Delistings

No delistings for this assessment cycle.

Documentation

Assessment Summary

The presumptive Class A1 (primary contact recreation) uses remain “not assessed” (IR 3a) due to the lack of water quality information upon which to base an assessment. The presumptive Class B(WW1) aquatic life uses remain assessed (monitored) as "partially supported" (IR 4d) due to the occurrence of a fish kill in August 2012.

Assessment Explanation

[NOTE 1: The original segment of IA 02-WIN-0025_0 was split into two waterbodies in July 2004, at the gravel pits located within Mason City. Downstream of Black Pit and Blue Pit, Cheslea Creek remains IA 02-WIN-0025_0. Upstream of these pits, this stream has been renamed as IA 02-WIN-0026_0. Assessment information for the 2004 reporting cycle and before refer to these two waterbodies together.]

[Note 2: Prior to the 2008 Section 305(b) cycle, this stream segment was classified only for general uses. Due to changes in Iowa’s surface water classification that were approved by U.S. EPA in February 2008, this segment is now presumptively designated for Class A1 (primary contact recreation) uses and for Class B(WW1) aquatic life uses. According to the Iowa Water Quality Standards, all perennial rivers and streams and all intermittent streams with perennial pools that are not specifically listed in the Iowa surface water classification are designated as Class A1 and Class B(WW1) waters. Thus, for the current assessment, perennial flow is presumed, and the available water quality monitoring data will be compared to the applicable Class A1 and Class B(WW1) water quality criteria.]

EXPLANATION: The Class B(WW1) (aquatic life) uses remain assessed (evaluated) as "partially supporting" based on results of a fish kill investigation in August 2012. The kill occurred on or before August 9, 2012 and was attributed to a discharge of iron-laden cooling water. An estimated 3,200 fish were killed with a value of $305 and an investigation cost of $345. IDNR sought and received restitution for this fish 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 is placed into Category 4d of Iowa's 2014 Integrated Report.

Monitoring and Methods

Assessment Key Dates

8/9/2012

Fish Kill

Methods

120

Surveys of fish and game biologists/other professionals

140

Incidence of spills and/or fish kills