Hoosier Creek IA 02-IOW-6378
from confluence with South Hoosier Creek (S25 T-82N R-7W Linn Co.) to headwaters in NE1/4 S30 T82N R7W Linn Co.
- Cycle
- 2018
- Release Status
- Final
- Overall IR
- 3 - Insufficient data exist to determine whether any designated uses are met.
- Trend
- Unknown
- Created
- 7/22/2019 9:57:44 AM
- Updated
- 7/22/2019 9:59:45 AM
The presumptive Class A1 primary contact recreation uses and the presumptive Class B(WW1) aquatic life uses remain assessed (evaluated) as "partially supported" (IR 3b) based reports of degraded water quality conditions due runoff of de-icers used at the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids. The sources of information for this assessment include (1) DNR stormwater coordinator, (2) DNR Field Office 1, (3) local (Cedar Rapids) news media and (4) DNR/SHL biological sampling conducted in 2010.
Information from DNR Field Office 1 at Manchester, the DNR stormwater coordinator, and from local news media (KGAN-TV) demonstrated severe water quality degradation in the upper portion of this segment of Hoosier Creek in spring 2009. These conditions were attributed to runoff of de-icing agents (propylene glycol and ethylene glycol) from the Eastern Iowa Airport at Cedar Rapids. The presence of high concentrations of glycols in surface waters can create high levels of oxygen demand such that levels of dissolved oxygen are too low to support the expected types of aquatic life (fish; aquatic macroinvertebrates). In addition, the hypoxic and anoxic conditions can result in aesthetically objectionable conditions such as unpleasant odors. As conditions existed spring 2009, and based on information from DNR staff and from a media report, this segment of Hoosier Creek was likely in violation of two of Iowa's narrative water quality standards (IAC 61.3(2)) designed to protect general uses of Iowa's surface waters (e.g., livestock and wildlife watering, aquatic life and non-contact recreation): 1. such waters shall be free from materials from wastewater discharges or agricultural practices producing objectionable color, odor, or other aesthetically objectionable conditions; 2. such waters shall be free from substance attributable to wastewater discharges or agricultural practices in concentrations or combinations which are acutely toxic to human, animal, or plant life. In addition to impairment of general uses, these conditions also suggest impairment of the presumptive Class A (primary contact recreation) uses and Class B(WW1) aquatic life uses for this stream segment. Results of rapid biological sampling in May 2010 also suggested the aquatic life uses were impaired based on an evaluated assessment. Staff were only able to collect one species of fish (Creek Chub) in the segment. In addition, most of the abundant benthic macroinvertebrate taxa collected were tolerant of degraded water quality conditions and very few benthic macroinvertebrate taxa sensitive to poor water conditions were collected. More recent (fall 2010) information, however, suggests significant improvement in the water quality conditions in this segment of Hoosier Creek. According to DNR field staff, a collection system for de-icers was installed at the Eastern Iowa Airport in summer 2009 and the resultant reduction in the amount of de-icers moving to the stream has improved water quality. Due to the potential for ongoing water quality impacts, and due to the lack in in-stream monitoring data for either chemical/physical or biological parameters, this assessment segment will be added to Iowa’s list of waters in need of further investigation.