Rock Creek IA 02-CED-586

Assessment Comments

Assessment is based on results on 1996 biocriteria sampling: 16 spp.; 5 fams; Fish IBI=54 (good); BM IBI=55 (fair).

Basis for Assessment

Used results of the August 1996 DNR biocriteria sampling 0.25 mi E of Rock Creek to assess support of the Class B(WW) uses as FST.   Biocriteria sampling showed (1) a moderately diversive fish community of 16 species from 5 families & (2) presence of nearly all (10 of 11) of the expected fish taxa for streams in the Iowan surface subecoregion.  Sampling did not, however, produce the expcected game fish species although this may have been due to either sampling at the upstream end of the Class B(WW) reach or sampling just downstream from the Class B(CW) (coldwater) reach.   Thus, continue to assess support of the Class B(WW) aquatic life uses as FST.   Additional monitoring is needed in the Class B(WW) reach to confirm presence of the expected game fish species.