Unnamed Tributary to Indian Creek IA 03-SKU-6366
from mouth (center S6 T74N R8W Washington Co.) to headwaters (T75N R8W Sec29 Washington Co.)
- Cycle
- 2016
- Release Status
- Final
- Overall IR
- 4 - Water is impaired or threatened and a TMDL has been completed or is not needed.
- Trend
- Unknown
- Created
- 10/3/2016 2:48:01 PM
- Updated
- 10/3/2016 2:48:01 PM
The presumptive Class A1 (primary contact recreation) uses remain "not assessed" (IR 3a) due to the lack of information upon which to base an assessment. The Class B(WW2) aquatic life uses are assessed (monitored) as "partially supported" (IR 4d) based on results of a fish kill investigation in December 2009.
The Class B(WW2) aquatic life uses remain assessed (monitored) as "partially supported" based on results of a fish kill investigation in December 2009. The kill occurred on or before December 15, 2009 and was attributed to manure. A manure storage basin stirring device malfunctioned, causing manure to be sprayed out of the basin and make its way through drainage tile to unnamed tributary to Indian Creek near Washington. An unspecified number of fish were killed. No estimate of the value of the fish was provided. According to updated information, IDNR sought and received restitution for this fish kill.
According to IDNR’s assessment/listing methodology, the occurrence of a single pollutant-caused fish kill, or a fish kill of unknown origin, on a waterbody or waterbody reach during the most recent assessment period indicates a severe stress to the aquatic community and suggests that the aquatic life uses should be assessed as “impaired.” If a cause of the kill is identified, and the cause is either known, or suspected, to be a “pollutant,” the assessment type is considered “monitored” and the affected waterbody is a candidate for Section 303(d) listing. If, however, a consent order has been issued to the party responsible for the kill and monetary restitution has been sought for the fish killed, the affected waterbody will be placed in IR Category 4d (impaired but TMDL not required). IDNR feels that (1) TMDLs should not be required for kills caused by a one-time illegal or unauthorized release of manure or other toxic substance where enforcement actions were taken and (2) enforcement action is more appropriate, efficient, and effective for addressing a spill-related impairment than is the TMDL process. Thus, this assessment segment was placed in Category 4d of Iowa’s 2012 Integrated Report and remains in IR Category 4d.