Mineral Creek IA 01-MAQ-37

Assessment Comments

Two stream use assessments in Jones County. Monitoring near Canton in 1996.

Basis for Assessment

Used the assessment of support of the Class B(LR) aquatic life uses developed for the 1994 report (=FST).*  These data, however, are more than five years old.  Thus, according to Section 305(b) reporting guidelines, the assessment based on these data should be considered "evaluated." Monitoring near Canton for suspended solids and nutrients was conducted during runoff periods in May and July 1996 to identify subwatersheds in Maquoketa River basin that contribute the highest sediment/nutrient loads to the Maquoketa River.   The Mineral Creek watershed was not identified as one of the six watersheds contributing the highest sediment/nutrient loads.  No threats to continued support of the Class B(LR) aquatic life uses were identified during the May 1991 DNR stream use assessment.   *A review of the field sheet from the May 1991 DNR stream use assessments shows (1) moderately diverse fish communities (species/families, dstr->upstr:  10/4; 9/2) for streams in the Southern Iowa Rolling Loess Prairies subecoregion (47f), (2) presence of a majority of the expected taxa (5 of 9 & 6 of 9) for streams in this subregion, and (3) indications of above average habitat quality due to presence of diverse substrates and numerous pool/riffle sequences and a well-meandered channel form.   The data upon which this assessment is based are more than 5 years old.   Additional monitoring is needed to update the assessment.