Yellow River IA 01-YEL-436
from old Hwy 51 crossing (NE 1/4 S11 T96N R6W Allamakee Co.) to confluence with N. Fk. Yellow R. in S13 T96N R7W Winneshiek Co.
- Cycle
- 2022
- Release Status
- Final
- Overall IR
- 5 - Water is impaired or threatened and a TMDL is needed.
- Trend
- Unknown
- Created
- 12/20/2021 8:54:08 AM
- Updated
- 1/7/2022 10:39:03 AM
The presumptive Class A1 use and Class A2 use were assessed as “not supported” due to levels of indicator bacteria (E. coli) that exceeded state water quality criteria. The Class BCW1 use was assessed as "not supported" based on a fish kill investigation. All other designated uses were "not assessed." Note: A TMDL for the bacteria impairment for Yellow River basin streams was approved by U.S. EPA in 2013. Due to TMDL completion, the Integrated Report categories for the Class A1 and Class A2 recreational uses were changed from 5p to 4a.
Data
Sources: Data Source Data Source ID Data Type Data Age Site ID Site Name Site Description Iowa DNR 6 WQ CY2009 11030001 Yellow River Mainstem 1 Iowa DNR 6 BIO See Below 160 Yellow River W60 Bridge – Site 4 Iowa DNR 6 BIO See Below 837 Yellow River Postville (Upstream of HWY 51) Site ID Data Source ID # Samples / # Years 2009 Geometric Mean Annual Geometric Mean Violation # Violations % Violations Significantly >10% Violations Assessment Type Support Level 11030001 6 13 / 1 13288 Yes 13 100% Yes Evaluated Not Site ID Data Source ID # Samples / # Years 2009 Geometric Mean Annual Geometric Mean Violation # Violations % Violations Significantly >10% Violations Assessment Type Support Level 11030001 6 13 / 1 13288 Yes 9 69% Yes Evaluated Not Benthic
Macroinvertebrates: BioNet Site ID Date Drainage Area (mi2) Ecoregion Major Drainage/Thermal BM Sample Gear CBI score CBI Class CBI BIT CBI Pass/ Fail 160 9/6/12 58 52b MS/CW Hess 49 NA 60 Fail 160 7/24/12 58 52b MS/CW Hess 59.4 NA 60 Pass 837 8/17/11 41 52b MS/CW Hess 60 NA 60 Pass Overall
Assessment: Community Assessment Type Assessment Result Support Level IR Category Reason Benthic Macroinvertebrates Evaluated Pass (2/3) Full 1 Assessment was evaluated because the
samples included in the assessment weren’t collected in the last five years. The
Class BCW1 use assessment based on the 2000 fish kill placed this segment in
Category 5b. The fish kill was caused by a “pollutant” or was suspected to be
caused by a “pollutant”; therefore, the Class BCW1 use was considered impaired.
Because the source of the pollutant was not identified and/or the enforcement
actions taken against the responsible party have not been resolved, the Class
BCW1 use was placed in Category 5b. Due to uncertainty regarding the recovery
of the aquatic life following the fish kill, any existing fish kill 5b
impairment will remain in Category 5b until more recent sampling has shown
recovery of the aquatic community or the responsible party has paid
restitution. Details
about the 2000 fish kill can be found here: https://programs.iowadnr.gov/fishkill/Events/462
Presumptive Class A1 - Indicator Bacteria:
Class A2 - Indicator Bacteria:
Class BCW1 - Biological Sampling:
Class BCW1 – Fishkill Assessment:
Class HH – No Data