Silver Creek IA 01-MAQ-44

Assessment Comments

1991 stream use assessment in Jones County.

Basis for Assessment

Used a review of the field sheet from the September 1991 DNR stream use assessment to continue to assess support of the Class B(LR) aquatic life uses as PS due to (1) low fish community diversity (6 cyprinid species) for streams in the Iowan Surface subecoregion (47c) and (2) presence of less than a majority of the expected fish taxa (5 of 11) for streams in this subregion.   The field sheet indicates relatively good aquatic habitats with diverse substrates and presence of several pool/riffle sequences.   The only significant impact to the physical characteristics of the stream was frequent streambank erosion; isolated areas of channel straightening and pasturing of the riparian zone were also noted.   The data upon which this assessment is based are more than 5 years old.  Follow-up monitoring is needed to update this assessment, to determine the status of the aquatic communities and habitats, and to determine the degree to which the Class B(LR) uses may be impaired.