Assessment Comments
Assessment is based on results of (1) 1995 DNR stream use assessment, (2) a 1994 DNR/UHL biocriteria sampling (Fish IBI= 57(good), BM-IBI= 64(good)), and (3) occurrence of fish kills. See attached document for details.
Basis for Assessment
[Note: For the 2002 report, the previous waterbody segment IA 01-TRK-0440-1 for Crane Creek, which extended 34 miles from its mouth to to Spring Creek (Howard Co.), was split into two subsegments: (1) mouth (Fayette Co.) to unnamed tributary near Lawler in Chickasaw Co. (IA 01-TRK-0440-1) and (2) from unnamed tributary near Lawler to Spring Creek in Howard Co. (IA 01-TRK-0440-2). The assessment information in previous reports applies to the original 34-mile waterbody segment (IA 01-TRK-0440-1).]
For the 2002 report: SUMMARY: The Class B(WW) aquatic life uses remain assessed (evaluated) as "partially supported" due to a fish kill in September 1997. EXPLANATION: The previous (2000) assessment of the aquatic life uses was based on the occurrence of a fish kill in 1997; results of IDNR biocriteria monitoring in 1994 and 1995, however, suggested that the aquatic life uses were fully supported / threatened" (see assessment for the 2000 report above). According to IDNR's assessment methodology for Section 305(b) reporting, occurrence of a single pollution-caused fish kill within the most recent three-year period (1999-2001) indicates ongoing impairment of the aquatic life uses. The absence of a fish kill in the three-year period following a fish kill suggest that impacts from the kill have likely dissipated. Because the most recent pollution-caused fish kill occurred on this stream prior to the most recent three-year period but within the last six years, the aquatic life uses remain assessed as "partially supported," but the assessment category is changed from "monitored" (indicating an assessment with relatively high confidence) to "evaluated" (indicating an assessment with relatively low confidence).
