Assessment Comments
Assessment based on results of (1) IDNR/UHL biocriteria sampling in 2001: FIBI = 53 (good); BMIBI = 60 (good) and (2) TMDL monitoring in 2001. FIBI BIC = 36, BMIBI BIC = 51.
Basis for Assessment
SUMMARY: The general aquatic life uses are assessed (evaluated) as "fully supported." Sources of information for this assessment include (1) results of biological monitoring conducted in 2001 as part of the DNR/UHL stream biocriteria project and (2) water quality monitoring conducted at one site in this segment from March to November 2001 by IDNR and UHL in support of TMDL development.
EXPLANATION: The Class B(LR) uses are assessed as "fully supported" based on results of biological monitoring conducted in 2001. The biological assessment was based on data collected in 2001 as part of the DNR/UHL stream biocriteria project. The 2001 FIBI score was 53 (good) and the BMIBI score was 60 (good). The aquatic life use support was assessed as "fully supported" (=FS), based on a comparison of the FIBI and BMIBI scores with biological impairment criteria (BIC) established from a statistical analysis of data collected at stream ecoregion reference sites from 1994-2004. The FIBI BIC for this ecoregion is 36 and the BMIBI BIC for this ecoregion is 51. Even though this site passed both the FIBI and BMIBI BICs, it is uncertain as to whether or not this segment is meeting the aquatic life criteria because it is a small general use stream and doesn’t fall in the calibrated watershed size.
Results of chemical/physical water quality monitoring conducted in 2001 in support of TMDL development show no violations of Class B(LR) state water quality criteria for conventional parameters and ammonia-nitrogen in the nine monthly samples collected between March and November 2001 at the site 2 miles E of Tipton (Site 9) (the maximum value of ammonia-nitrogen was 0.12 mg/l). These results also suggest "full support" of the aquatic life uses.
