Hickory Creek IA 01-YEL-442

Assessment Comments

Stream use assessment in 1992.

Basis for Assessment

Used a review of the field sheet from the June 1992 DNR stream use assessment in Clayton County to change the assessment of support of the Class B(LR) auqatic life uses from FST to "not assessed" to to lack of sufficient information on the aquatic communities of this stream to develop an assessment.   As noted in the assessment developed for the 1996 report (above), the presence of rocky substrates made seining difficult.   The relatively high habitat score (28) for this stream, with indiations of very diverse susbstrates, numerous pool/riffle sequences, and no alterations to the physical characteristics of the stream channel in the area assssed, suggests a very high quality Class B(LR) stream.  Additional monitoring is needed to determine the status of the aquatic communities of this stream to provide the information necessary to develop an accurate assessment of the the degree to which the Class B(LR) uses are supported.   A cooperative project in the Hickory Creek watershed is focused on the water quality problems of streambank erosion, manure containment, stream sedimentation due to upland erosion, and pesticide/nutrient management issues in order to improve water quality, especially in the coldwater reach of this stream.