Goose Lake IA 01-MAQ-27

Assessment Comments

Assessment remains based on surveys of the DNR Wildlife Bureau. This assessment has not been updated since 2002.

Basis for Assessment

SUMMARY:  The Class B(LW) aquatic life uses remain assessed (evaluated) as "partially supported" based on information from the IDNR Wildlife Bureau.   Fish consumption uses remain "not assessed" due to the lack of fish contaminant monitoirng in this waterbody (note:  Iowa wetlands are not typically managed as recreational fisheries).   This assessment is the same as that developed for previous reporting cycles.

EXPLANATION:  According to the local DNR Wildlife Biologist (Sheets), approximately 100 acres of type IV wetland have been degraded to wet sedge meadow reverting to woody growth due to excessive siltation from row crop land on the west and east sides of the marsh.   One landowner has previously been under review by NRCS for exceeding soil loss limitations.  No new information was provided on the impacts of the drainage ditching (see assessment for the 2000 cycle).   The assessment category for this wetland of "evaluated" indicates that the assessment is based entirely on "best professional judgement."  In terms of Section 305(b) reporting, "monitored assessments" are based primarily on recent, site-specific ambient monitoring data and thus have relatively high confidence.   IDNR considers waterbodies identified as "impaired" based on "monitored assessments" as candidates for the state's Section 303(d) list.   "Evaluated assessments" are those based on data older than five years or other than site-specific ambient monitoring data (e.g., questionnaire surveys of fish and game biologists [=best professional judgement]) and thus have relatively low confidence.   IDNR does not consider waterbodies identified as "impaired" based on "evaluated assessments" as candidates for the state's Section 303(d) list.  

Fish consumption uses remain "not assessed."  In general, Iowa wetlands are not managed for recreational fisheries; thus, fish contaminant monitoring is not typically conducted at these waterbodies.