Assessment Comments

1992 stream use assessment in Fayette county.

Basis for Assessment

Used a review of the field sheet from the May 1992 DNR stream use assessment in Fayette County to downgrade the assessment of support of the Class B(LR) aquatic life uses from FST to PS due to (1) relatively low fish community diversity (6 species from 1 family) for streams in the Driftless Area ecoregion (52) despite indications of above average habitat quality due to diverse substrates and several pool/riffle sequences, (2) presence of less than a majority of the expected fish taxa (4 of 9) for streams in this region, and (3) indications on field sheet of frequent areas of channel alteration incuding channel straightening and pasturing of the riparian corridor.   Follow-up monitoring is needed to better define the status of the aquatic communities and habitats and to determine the degree to which the Class B(LR) uses may be impaired.