Cedar River IA 02-CED-462

Assessment Comments

Assessment is based on results of (1) IDNR ambient city monitoring at Gilbertville and (2) fish tissue (RAFT) monitoring in 1997.

Basis for Assessment

[Note:  For the 2002 report, the previous waterbody segment IA 02-CED-0040-0, which extended 28 miles from Wolf Creek at LaPorte City to the dam of the Cedar Falls impoundment, was split into two subsegments:  (1) Wolf Creek to bridge crossing in LaPorte City (IA 02-CED-0040-1) and (2) bridge crossing in LaPorte City to dam of Cedar Falls impoundment (IA 02-CED-0040-2).    This subdivision was based on the Class A (primary contact recreation) designation of the 1.4-mile segment from Wolf Creek to LaPorte City; the segment from LaPorte City to the Cedar Falls impoundment is designated only for Class B(WW) aquatic life uses.   See assessment for segment IA 02-CED-0040_1  for previous Section 305(b) assessments for the original 28-mile river reach.]

SUMMARY:  The Class B(WW) aquatic life uses were assessed as "fully supported."  Fish consumption uses were assessed as "fully supported."  The sources of data for this assessment are (1) the results of monthly monitoring from October 1999 through September 2001 at the IDNR ambient city monitoring station located at downstream from Waterloo at County Road D38 bridge at Gilbertville and (2) the results of U.S.  EPA/IDNR fish tissue (RAFT) monitoring in 1997.   EXPLANATION:  The Class B(WW) aquatic life uses were assessed as "fully supported" based on results of monitoring from the IDNR ambient station at Gilbertville in 2000 and 2001.   Monitoring at this station showed no violations of Class B(WW) water quality criteria for dissolved oxygen, pH, ammonia-nitrogen, toxic metals, and toxic organic compounds in the 14 samples analyzed during this biennial period.   Fish consumption uses were assessed as "fully supported" based on results of U.S.  EPA/IDNR fish tissue (RAFT) monitoring in 1997 that showed levels of all contaminants were less than ½ of the respective FDA action levels and IDNR levels of concern.