Assessment Comments
Assessment is based on results of three DNR stream use assessments in August 1995.
Basis for Assessment
SUMMARY: The Class B(WW) aquatic life uses remain "fully supported / threatened." Fish consumption uses remain "not assessed." EXPLANATION: Continue to use the assessment developed for the 1998 report (see above) that was based on results of three August 1995 DNR stream use assessments in Mitchell County. Results of a fourth DNR stream use assessment conducted in August 1995 (at Colwell Park in Floyd County) were not included in the 1998 assessment. Results of this assessment strongly support the assessment of the aquatic life uses as "fully supported" with (1) a very diverse fish community (18 spp. from 5 families) with several environmentally sensitive species including rosyface shiner, northern hogsucker, smallmouth bass, fantail darter, banded darter, and logperch; (2) nearly all of the expected nongame taxa for Iowan Surface (subecoregion 47c) streams present (10 of 11); (3) indications of good quality aquatic habitats with diverse substrates and several pool/riffle sequences, and (4) presence of expected game fish species (smallmouth bass and channel catfish). The results of the August 1995 DNR stream use assessments-upon which the previous assessment of the Class B(LR) uses was based-are approximately 5 years old and thus can be used to assess current water quality conditions. Fish consumption uses remain "not assessed" due to the lack of fish tissue monitoring in this river reach.
