Middle Fork South Beaver Creek IA 02-CED-563

Assessment Comments

Fish kill locations at and near Ackley.

Basis for Assessment

Since 1991, four fish kills have been reported for the reach of this stream near Ackley.   Kills in September 1991 and September 1997 were attributed caused by discharges from a local industry.  Kills in August 1994 and August 1995 were caused by "silage runoff."  These relatively frequent fish kills suggest an impairment that affects the ability of this stream to fully support an aquatic community.   Thus, conditions in this stream violate the WQS that general use waters "be free from substances, attributable to wastewater discharges or agricultural practices, in concentrations or combinations which are acutely toxic to human, animal, or plant life" (IAC 1990, Chapter 61.3(2)).   The general aquatic life uses for this stream were assessed as "partially supported."  Follow-up monitoring is needed to determine the status of the aquatic communities of this stream and to determine the degree to which the general aquatic life uses may be impaired.