Assessment Comments
Assessment remains based on a June 12, 2002 fish kill and investigation on an unnamed tributary of Prairie Creek upstream from Norway, IA.
Basis for Assessment
SUMMARY: [Note: this assessment is for an unnamed tributary to Prairie Creek upstream from Norway, Iowa that enters segment IA 02-CED-0220-2.] The general aquatic life uses of this unnamed tributary of Priarie Creek remain assessed (evaluated) as "partially supported" due to occurrence of a fish kill in June 2002. The kill was caused by discharge chlorinated (drinking) water to this tributary.
EXPLANATION: The fish kill occurred on June 12, 2002. The kill was caused by discharge chlorinated (drinking) water as part of sterilizing water lines of the rural water system. Approximately 1 mile of stream was affected, and an estimated 2,100 fish were killed; Prairie Creek was not affected by this kill.
According to DNR's assessment methodology for Section 305(b) reporting, occurrence of a single pollution-caused fish kill during an assessment period indicates "partial support" of the aquatic life uses. If, however, a consent order has been issued to the party responsible for the kill and monetary restitution has been sought for the fish killed, the affected waterbody should be placed in IR Category 4d (impaired but TMDL not required). Thus, this assessment segment was placed into Category 4d of Iowa's 2004 Integrated Report. Because this kill occurred during the current (2006) assessment period (I.e., 2002-2004), this assessment will remain in Category 4d of Iowa's 2006 Integrated Report.
