Wapsipinicon River IA 01-WPS-340

Assessment Comments

Assessment is based on results of fish tissue monitoring in 1998.

Basis for Assessment

SUMMARY:  The Class A (primary contact recreation) uses and the Class B(WW) aquatic life uses are considered "not assessed."  Fish consumption uses were assessed as "fully supported."  EXPLANATION:  The assessments of support of the Class A and Class B(WW) uses developed for previous reports (see above) were based, in part, on results of DNR quarterly water quality monitoring at Independence (station 443704).   Data from this station, however, were last collected from October 1993 through September 1995 and are thus considered too old (greater than five years) for characterizing current water quality conditions.   As part of DNR's expanded water quality monitoring program, monthly monitoring at the Independence station began in October 1999.   Results from this monitoring will allow development of an updated assessment of support of beneficial uses for the 2002 report.   Fish consumption uses were assessed as "fully supported" based on results of EPA/DNR fish tissue (RAFT) monitoring in 1998 near Viola in Linn County.   This monitoring showed that (1) relatively few contaminants were detected and that (2) levels of all detected contaminants were well-below ½ of the respective FDA action levels and DNR levels of concern in the composite samples of fillets from carp and smallmouth bass.   These results suggest that the fish consumption uses are "fully supported."