Pratt Creek IA 02-CED-522

Assessment Comments

Previous assessments were based on 2000 IDNR/SHL biological sampling data: FIBI = 54 (good), BMIBI = 66 (good). Non-riffle habitat FIBI BIC = 44 and artificial substrate BMIBI BIC = 52. Due to the age of these data (> 10 years), the aquatic life uses are now considered "not assessed".

Basis for Assessment

[Note:  Prior to the 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, 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 (2012) 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 remain "not assessed" due to the lack of information upon which to base an assessment.   The degree to which the Class B(WW-2) aquatic life uses are supported is being changed from “fully supported” (evaluated) as assessed for the 2010 Integrated Reporting cycle to “not assessed” for the current (2012) cycle.   This change is being made because the data upon which previous assessments were based have now aged beyond ten years.   As water quality data age, they are less able to represent current water quality conditions.   As data age beyond ten years, their ability to represent current water quality conditions is increasing suspect.   Additional monitoring is needed in this assessment segment to update status of its aquatic communities.