Assessment Comments
Assessment remains based on statewide assessment of freshwater mussels in Iowa (Arbuckle et al. 2000). Assessment also remains based on 2001 IDNR/UHL biological monitoring data: FIBI = 60 (good), BMIBI = 64 (good). Non-riffle habitat FIBI BIC = 44, natural substrate BMIBI BIC = 70.
Basis for Assessment
[Note: Prior to the 2008 Section 305(b) cycle, this stream segment was designated only for Class B(LR) aquatic life uses. Due to changes in Iowa’s surface water classification that were approved by U.S. EPA in February 2008, this segment is now presumptively designated for Class A1 (primary contact recreation) uses. The stream remains designated for aquatic life uses (now termed Class B(WW2) aquatic life uses). Thus, for the current (2012) assessment, the available water quality monitoring data will be compared to the applicable Class A1 and Class B(WW2) water quality criteria.]
SUMMARY: The presumptive Class A1 (primary contact recreation) uses remain "not assessed" due to the lack of data for indicator bacteria upon which to base an assessment. The Class B(WW2) uses remain assessed (evaluated) as "not supported" based on information from the report "Statewide Assessment of Freshwater Mussels (Bivalva, Unionidae) in Iowa Streams" by Arbuckle et al. (2000). As part of this study, sampling results from 1998 and 1999 (Arbuckle et al. 2000) were compared to results from stream sites surveyed in 1984 and 1985 by Frest (1987). On a statewide basis, this comparison showed sharp declines in the numbers of mussel species ("species richness") in Iowa streams and rivers from the mid-1980s to the late 1990s. Results of this comparison were used by staff of the Iowa DNR Water Monitoring and Assessment Section to assess the degree to which the aquatic life uses of the sampled stream segments are supported. This assessment is also based on results of biological monitoring in 2001 conducted as part of IDNR/UHL biocriteria development.
EXPLANATION: For purposes of Section 303(d) listing, this assessment was based on the percent change in the number of species of freshwater mussels found in the 1984-85 survey versus the 1998-99 survey. For stream segments having four or more species reported for the 1984-95 survey, results of this comparison were used by staff of the Iowa DNR Water Quality Bureau to assess the degree to which the aquatic life uses of the sampled stream segments are supported. Greater than a 50% decline in species richness from the 1984-85 to the 1998-99 period suggests an impairment of the aquatic life uses. Species richness of freshwater mussels at the one sample site in this segment of Silver Creek was 5 in the 1984-85 period and was 0 in the 1998-99 period for a percent change of minus 100%. Based on these results, the aquatic life uses are assessed (monitored) as “not supported.” As presented by Arbuckle et al. (2000), the potential causes of declines in species richness of Iowa's freshwater mussels include siltation, destabilization of stream substrate, stream flow instability, and high instream levels of nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen). Their study also suggested the importance of stream shading provided by riparian vegetation to mussel species richness. (Note: because the data from Arbuckle et al. (2000) are now older than five years, the assessment category is changed from a “monitored” (i.e., a higher confidence assessment) to “evaluated” (i.e., lower confidence assessment). Despite this change in assessment category, the impairment indicated by these data remains in IR Category 5 (i.e., Section 303(d) list) until more recent data suggest a good cause for de-listing.)
In addition, the assessment was based on data collected in 2001 as part of the IDNR/UHL stream biocriteria project. The 2001 FIBI score was 60 (good), BMIBI = 64 (good). This biological sampling suggests the aquatic life use support be assessed (evaluated) as fully supporting (=FS), based on a comparison of the FIBI and BMIBI scores with biological impairment criteria (BIC) established for previous Section 305(b) reports. The biological impairment criteria were determined from a statistical analysis of data collected at stream ecoregion reference sites from 1994-2004. This segment passed the FIBI BIC (1/1) and passed the BMIBI BIC (1/1 - using the UAV of 8 points) in 2001. The non-riffle habitat FIBI BIC for this ecoregion is 44 and the natural substrate BMIBI BIC for this ecoregion is 70.
This aquatic life assessment is considered "evaluated" because there were not two or more samples collected from this segment in multiple years within a five-year period. Additionally, because these data are now considered too old (greater than five years) to accurately characterize current water quality conditions, the assessment category is considered “evaluated” (indicating an assessment with relatively lower confidence) as opposed to "monitored" (indicating an assessment with relatively higher confidence). Despite this change in assessment methodology and type, this waterbody remains in IR Category 5b and remains on Iowa’s Section 303(d) list of impaired waters because of the freshwater mussel impairment.
