Assessment Comments

Two DNR stream use assessments in October 1995.

Basis for Assessment

Used a review of the field sheets from the two October 1995 DNR stream use assessments in Delaware and Buchanan counties to continue to assess support of the Class B(WW) aquatic life uses as FST due to (1) presence of very diverse fish communities at both locations (28 species from 6 families & 27 species from 5 families) for streams in the Iowan Surface subecoregion (47c), (2) presence of all the expected fish taxa (11 of 11) at both locations, (3) presence of the expected game fish species (smallmouth bass) at both locations, and (4) presence of several environmentally sensitive species, including American brook lamprey, largescale stoneroller, northern hogsucker, rock bass, and smallmouth bass.   As stated in the assessment developed for the 1996 report, the environmental resiliency of this stream is considerable, given the impacts to the physical characterisitcs due to overpasturing of the riparian zone.   Better protection of the stream corridor is needed.