Yellow River IA 01-YEL-434

Assessment Comments

Assessment based on results of (1) 1998 DNR Biocriteria sampling: Fish IBI= 63(good), BM-IBI= 67(good), (2) DNR monthly WQ monitoring at Volney, and (3) WQ monitoring at Sny Magill / Bloody run project site near mouth.

Basis for Assessment

Used a review of field notes from the three May 1989 DNR fish surveys conducted in Allamakee County to continue to assess support of the Class B(WW) aquatic life uses as FST due to (1) presence of relatively diverse fish communities at all three locations (species/families, dstr-> upstr:  14/5; 11/3; 19;4) for streams in the Driftless Area ecoregion, (2) presence of a majority of the expected fish taxa at all locations (dstr->upstr:  5 of 9; 5 of 9; 9 of 9) for streams in this region, and (3) presence of above average habitat quality in this river reach.   The expected game fish species--smallmouth bass--was encountered at only the most downstream site sampled (Ion).   The data upon which this assessment is based are more than 5 years old.   Additional monitoring is needed to update this assessment and to determine the status of the aquatic communities and habitats.