East Otter Creek IA 02-CED-515

Assessment Comments

Assessment is based on results of fish surveys conducted by DNR Fisheries Bureau in 1997 and students from Cornell College in 1997.

Basis for Assessment

Used a review of the field sheet from the May 1992 DNR stream use assessment, the 1996 fish surveys at two sites by DNR Fisheries, and the results of fish surveys conducted by Cornell College to upgrade the assessment of support of the Class B(LR) aquatic life uses from FST to FS due to (1) presence of a relatively diverse fish community (from 11 to 19 species and from 4 to 5 families at sites sampled) for streams in the Iowan Surface subecoregion (47c), (2) presence of nearly all the expected fish taxa (9 of 11) for streams in this subregion, and (3) indications on the 1992 SUA field sheet of above average habitat quality, with no significant impacts to the chemical or physical characteristics of this stream noted.   In addition, stream supports populations of sensitive species such as southern redbelly dace, Ozark minnow, rosyface shiner, smallmouth bass, and rainbow darter.