Unnamed Tributary to Volga River IA 01-VOL-323

Assessment Comments

Stream use assessment in Fayette County.

Basis for Assessment

Used a review of the field sheet from the October 1991 DNR stream use assessment in Fayette County to continue to assess support of the Class B(LR) aquatic life uses as FST due to (1) presence of a majority of the expected fish taxa (5 of 9) for streams in the Driftless Area ecoregion, (2) indications of above average quailty of aquatic habitats (see 1994 assessment above), and (3) lack of significant impacts to the physical characteristics of this stream reach with only isolated areas of riparian pasturing and streambank erosion noted.   Sampling of the fish community was likely incomplete:  notes on field sheet indicate that seining was hindered due to rocky substrates.   The data upon which this assessment is based are more than 5 years old.   Additional monitoring is needed to update this assessment and to better define the status of the aquatic communities and habitats.