Snyder Creek IA 02-IOW-6399

Assessment Comments

Assessment is based on results of IDNR UAA conducted on Snyder Creek on September 21, 2006.

Basis for Assessment

Note:  Prior to the 2008 Section 305(b) cycle, this stream segment was classified only for general uses.    Due to changes in Iowa’s surface water classification that were approved by U.S.   EPA in February 2008, this segment is now presumptively designated for Class A1 (primary contact recreation) uses and for Class B(WW1) aquatic life uses.    According to the Iowa Water Quality Standards, all perennial rivers and streams and all intermittent streams with perennial pools that are not specifically listed in the Iowa surface water classification are designated as Class A1 and Class B(WW1) waters.    

SUMMARY/EXPLANATION:  Insufficient water quality information is available to assess use support.     Segment was sampled by IDNR staff for fish and observed for overall habitat conditions as part of the September 21, 2006, UAA for Snyder Creek (sites 555-1 and 555-2).   Comments on overall habitat conditions do not suggest impairment, but insufficient information exists to develop an assessment of presumptive contact recreation uses.   The UAA fish data were not used to assess the presumptive aquatic life uses because (1) the UAA fish data were not collected according to INDR biological monitoring protocols and (2) IDNR does not have an appropriate assessment protocol to identify impairments of aquatic life uses of headwater streams.   Thus, both the presumptive contact recreation and aquatic life uses of this waterbody segment are considered “not assessed.”