Assessment Comments
Assessment is based on results of IDNR/UHL biological (biocriteria) sampling in 1999: FIBI = 50 (fair), BMIBI = 48 (fair). Non-riffle FIBI BIC = 44, natural substrate BMIBI BIC = 70.
Basis for Assessment
SUMMARY: The Class A (primary contact recreation) uses are "not assessed" due to the lack of information upon which to base an assessment. The Class B(LR) aquatic life uses are assessed (evaluated) as "partially supported" based on results of IDNR/UHL biological (biocriteria) sampling in 1999. This is the same assessment as that developed for the 2002 reporting cycle except the data are now too old to be considered for a monitored assessment; therefore, the assessement is considered evaluated.
EXPLANATION: The Class A uses are "not assessed" due to the lack of monitoring information upon which to base an assessment.
The assessment of the Class B(LR) aquatic life uses was based on data collected in 1999 as part of the DNR/UHL stream biocriteria project. A series of biological metrics which reflect stream water quality and habitat integrity were calculated from the biocriteria sampling data. The biological metrics are based on the numbers and types of benthic macroinvertebrate taxa and fish species that were collected in the stream sampling reach. The biological metrics were combined to make a fish community index of biotic integrity (FIBI) and a benthic macroinvertebrate index (BMIBI). The indexes rank the biological integrity of a stream sampling reach on a rising scale from 0 (minimum) to 100 (maximum). The 1999 FIBI score was 50 (fair) and the BMIBI score was 48 (fair). The aquatic life use support was assessed (evaluated) as partially supporting (=PS), 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 FIBI BIC for this ecoregion is 44 and the natural substrate BMIBI BIC for this ecoregion is 70.
