Coldwater Creek IA 01-UIA-280

Assessment Comments

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

Basis for Assessment

SUMMARY:  The Class B(CW) coldwater aquatic life uses remain assessed as "fully supported / threatened."  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 1995 (see assessments for the 2000 report 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 assessment for the 2000 report 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 / threatened."  According to the updated summary, this reach of Coldwater Creek is in the category of Iowa trout streams that exhibit recent, but inconsistent reproductive success and that are generally not capable of maintaining a viable population for the target trout species at this time.   Fish consumption uses remain "not assessed" due to lack of fish tissue monitoring in this stream reach.