Assessment Comments
Assessment is based on results of IDNR/UHL biological (biocriteria) monitoring in 2001: FIBI = 44 (fair), 52 (good), BMIBI = 73, 70 (good) and IDNR Fisheries Bureau fish sampling in 2005: FIBI = 51 (good). FIBI ave = 49, BMIBI ave = 71.5. Non-riffle habitat FIBI BIC = 44 and natural substrate BMIBI BIC = 70.
Basis for Assessment
[Note: Prior to the current (2008) Section 305(b) cycle, this stream segment was designated only for Class B(LR) aquatic life uses. Due to changes in Iowa’s surface water classification that were approved by U.S. EPA in February 2008 (see http://www.iowadnr.com/water/standards/files/06mar_swc.pdf), this segment is now presumptively designated for Class A1 (primary contact recreation) uses. The stream remains designated for aquatic life uses (now termed Class B(WW2) aquatic life uses). Thus, for the current (2008) assessment, the available water quality monitoring data will be compared to the applicable Class A1 and Class B(WW2) water quality criteria.]
SUMMARY: The presumptive Class A1 (primary contact recreation) uses are "not assessed" due to the lack of information upon which to base an assessment. The Class B(WW2) aquatic life uses are assessed (evaluated) as "fully supported" based on results of two IDNR/UHL biological (biocriteria) samplings at the same location in August and October 2001 and one IDNR Fisheries Bureau fish sampling in 2005.
EXPLANATION: The assessment of the Class B(WW2) aquatic life uses was based on biological data collected in 2001 as part of the DNR/UHL stream biocriteria project and on fish data collected by the IDNR Fisheries Bureau in 2005. The 2001 FIBI scores were 44 (fair) and 52 (good); the BMIBI scores were 73 (good) and 70 (good). The 2005 Fisheries Bureau FIBI score was 51 (good). The FIBI average was 49 and the BMIBI average was 71.5. The aquatic life use support was assessed (evaluated) as Fully Supported (=FS), based on a comparison of the FIBI and BMIBI scores with biological impairment criteria (BIC) established for previous Section 305(b) reports. The biological impairment criteria were determined from a statistical analysis of data collected at stream ecoregion reference sites from 1994-2004. The non-riffle habitat FIBI BIC for this ecoregion is 44 and the natural substrate BMIBI BIC for this ecoregion is 70.
