Assessment Comments

Assessment is based on results of EPA/IDNR fish tissue (RAFT) monitoring SE of Independence in 2000 and on 2002 Fisheries data: Fish IBI = 65 (good).

Basis for Assessment

SUMMARY:  Class A (primary contact recreation) use was not assessed.   Class B(WW) aquatic life use was assessed (evaluated) as "fully supported/threatened" based on the results of IDNR Fisheries sampling.   Fish consumption uses remain assessed (monitored) as "fully supported" based on results of U.S.  EPA/IDNR fish contaminant monitoring in 2000.   The source of data for these assessments is results of EPA/IDNR fish tissue (RAFT) monitoring in 2000 approximately 1 mile southeast of Independence and 2002 IDNR Fisheries sampling results.  

EXPLANATION:  The Class A (primary contact recreation) use was not assessed due to lack of water quality monitoring information for this river segment.   The Class B(WW) aquatic life use was assessed (evaluated) as "fully supported/threatened" based on the results of 2002 IDNR Fisheries sampling.   The fish consumption uses remain assessed as "fully supported" based on results of EPA/DNR fish tissue (RAFT) monitoring in 2000 downstream from Independence that showed levels of contaminants in composite samples of fillets from channel catfish and smallmouth bass were very low and were less than ½ the respective FDA action levels and DNR levels of concern.

The Class B(WW) aquatic life assessment was based (evaluated) on data collected in 2002 as part of a DNR Fisheries stream sampling project: Manchester research station.   A series of biological metrics which reflect stream water quality and habitat integrity were calculated from the Fisheries sampling data.   The biological metrics are based on the numbers and types of fish species that were collected in the stream sampling reach.   The biological metrics were combined to make a fish community index of biotic integrity (F-IBI).   The index ranks the biological integrity of a stream sampling reach on a rising scale from 0 (minimum) to 100 (maximum).   The 2002 evaluated Fish IBI was 65 (good).   The aquatic life use support was assessed (evaluated) as Fully Supporting/Threatened (=FS/T), based on a comparison of the F-IBI score with biological assessment criteria established for previous Section 305(b) reports.   The biological assessment criteria were determined from a statistical analysis of data collected at stream ecoregion reference sites from 1994-2001.