Little Cedar River IA 02-CED-578

Assessment Comments

Previous assessments were based on 1999 Fisheries data: FIBI = 76 (excellent). Riffle site FIBI BIC = 65. Due to the age of these data (> 10 years), the aquatic life uses are now considered "not assessed".

Basis for Assessment

Previous assessments were based on 1999 IDNR Fisheries sampling data:  FIBI = 76 (excellent),  riffle habitat FIBI BIC = 65.   Due to the age of these data (> 10 years), the aquatic life uses are now considered "not assessed".

[Note:  Prior to the 2008 Section 305(b) cycle, this stream segment was designated only for Class B(WW) aquatic life uses, including fish consumption uses.   Due to changes in Iowa’s surface water classification that were approved by U.S.  EPA in February 2008, and due to the completion of a Use Attainability Analysis, this segment is also now designated for Class A1 (primary contact recreation) uses.   This segment remains designated for warmwater aquatic life use (now termed Class B(WW1) uses), and for fish consumption uses (now termed Class HH (human health/fish consumption uses).]

SUMMARY:  The presumptive Class A1 (primary contact recreation) and fish consumption (Class HH) uses remain "not assessed" due to the lack of information upon which to base an assessment.   The degree to which the Class B(WW-1) aquatic life uses are supported is being changed from “fully supported” (evaluated) as assessed for the 2012 Integrated Reporting cycle to “not assessed” for the current (2014) 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.