North Bear Creek IA 01-UIA-255

Assessment Comments

Assessment is based on a 2002 summary of trout reproduction in Iowa streams prepared by the DNR Fisheries Bureau. See attached document for details.

Basis for Assessment

SUMMARY:  The Class B(CW) coldwater aquatic life uses remain assessed as "fully supported."  Fish consumption uses remain "not assessed."  EXPLANATION:  Previous assessments of the Class B(CW) aquatic life uses were based, in part, in results of a DNR/UHL biocriteria sampling in 1994 (see assessments for the 1996, 1998, and 2000 reports above).   These data, however, are now considered too old (greater than five years) for accurately characterizing current water quality conditions and these data were thus not used for this assessment.   However, based on a 1999 summary of trout reproduction in Iowa streams (see above), and based on an updated summary of trout reproduction in Iowa streams prepared by the DNR Fisheries Bureau in April 2002, the Class B(CW) uses remain assessed as "fully supported."  According to this summary, this reach of North Bear Creek is in the category of Iowa trout streams that have fairly consistent natural reproduction and are capable of maintaining a viable population for the target trout species without any stocking.   Fish consumption uses remain "not assessed" due to lack of fish tissue monitoring in this stream reach.