Cedar River IA 02-CED-457

Assessment Comments

Assessment remains based on results of ambient water quality monitoring conducted through contract w/ Duane Arnold Energy Center at Palo from 1997-1999; this monitoring network was discontinued in December 1999.

Basis for Assessment

SUMMARY:  The Class A (primary contact recreation) uses and the Class B(WW) aquatic life uses remain assessed as "fully supported" based on results of ambient water quality monitoring sponsored from 1997 through 1999 by the Duane Arnold Energy Center at Palo.   The support of fish consumption uses remains “not assessed: due to the lack of fish contaminant monitoring in this river segment.  

EXPLANATION:  The assessments of the Class A and Class B(WW) uses developed for the 2000 report were based on data collected from October 1997 through September 1999 as part of monitoring sponsored by the Duane Arnold Energy Center at Palo, IA.   Because most of these data are less than five years old, and because all four of the former DAEC stations were located in the current assessment segment (IA 02-CED-0030-3), they are appropriate for characterizing current water quality conditions.   Thus, the assessment developed for the 2000 report, and that was used for the 2002 report, are considered as valid for the 2004 report.   Previous assessments of support of fish consumption uses were based on U.S.  EPA/IDNR fish tissue (RAFT) monitoring conducted downstream of Cedar Rapids in 1996.   This monitoring location, however, is too far downriver for characterizing levels of contaminants in fish tissue in the current assessment segment (IA 02-CED-0030-3).   Thus, fish contaminant uses are “not assessed” due to the lack of fish contaminant monitoring in this river segment.