Bear Creek IA 01-MAQ-34

Assessment Comments

Assessment based on 2003 biocriteria and 2004 REMAP data: FIBI average (n=2) = 47 (fair); BMIBI average (n=2) = 57.5 (good). FIBI BIC = 36; BMIBI BIC = 51.

Basis for Assessment

The assessment was based on data collected in 2003 and 2004 as part of the DNR/UHL stream biocriteria and REMAP projects.   A series of biological metrics which reflect stream water quality and habitat integrity were calculated from the biocriteria sampling data.   The biological metrics are based on the numbers and types of benthic macroinvertebrate taxa and fish species collected in the stream sampling reach.   The biological metrics were combined to make a fish community index of biotic integrity (FIBI) and a benthic macroinvertebrate index (BMIBI).   The indexes rank the biological integrity of a stream sampling reach on a rising scale from 0 (minimum) to 100 (maximum).   The 2003 biocriteria FIBI score was 51 (good) and the 2003 biocriteria BMIBI score was 67 (good).   The 2004 REMAP FIBI score was 43 (fair) and the 2004 REMAP BMIBI score was 48 (fair).   The FIBI average (n=2) = 47 (fair); BMIBI average (n=2) = 57.5 (good).   The aquatic life use support was assessed as fully supporting (=FS), based on a comparison of the FIBI and BMIBI scores with biological impairment criteria (BIC) established for previous Section 305(b) reports.  The biological impairment criteria were determined from a statistical analysis of data collected at stream ecoregion reference sites from 1994-2004.   The FIBI BIC for this ecoregion is 36 and the BMIBI BIC for this ecoregion is 51.