Assessment Comments
Assessment is based the results of an IDNR investigation of a fish kill in July 1999.
Basis for Assessment
SUMMARY: The Class B(LR) aquatic life uses remain assesed (monitored) as "partially supported" based on the results of an IDNR investigation of a fish kill in July 1999.
EXPLANATION: The previous (2000 and 2002) assessments of the support of the Class B(LR) aquatic life uses were based on the occurrence of a fish kill in 1999 (see assessment for the 2000 report). This fish kill occurred on Walnut Creek near Olin in Jones County on July 26, 1999; approximately three miles of stream were affected; an estimated 120 fish were killed. This kill was attributed to runoff of animal waste from an open (cattle) feedlot. The person reporting the kill had noticed manure in South Fork Walnut Creek a week prior to the kill. Although no source of the animal waste was identified, a waterway containing manure leading from open cattle lots to the South Fork Walnut Creek as found during the investigation. According to IDNR's assessment methodology for Section 305(b) reporting, occurrence of a single pollution-caused fish kill within the most recent three-year period (2000-02) indicates impairment of the aquatic life uses. Although this pollution-caused fish kill occurred on this stream just before the most recent three-year period, the aquatic life uses remain assessed (monitored) as "partially supported" due to the absence of a responsible party and the lack of any enforcment action in response to the pollutant-caused kill.
