Klum Lake IA 01-NEM-66

Assessment Comments

Assessment based on surveys by IDNR Wildlife Bureau.

Basis for Assessment

SUMMARY:  Continued to assess support of the Class B(LW) aquatic life uses as "partially supported."  Fish consumption uses remain "not assessed" due to the lack of fish contaminant monitoring in this wetland.   This assessment is the same at that developed for the 2002 reporting cycle.

EXPLANATION:  According to the local DNR Wildlife Biologist, this wetland is not impaired by excess nutrients from agricultural lands.   Impacts from hydrological modification, however, continue.   This wetland lies in a levee and drainage district, and the main drainage ditch is adjacent to the wetland basin.   Deepening of the ditch and increased pumping back in the late 1960's or early 1970's completely altered Klum Lake from a mostly open semi-permanent wetland to a seasonal wetland dominated by thick stands of perennial emergent vegetation.   Water is pumped into the basin in the fall for migratory waterfowl use, but this pumping does not remedy the problem.   The impacts from hydrological modification at this wetland are similar to those at Allen Green Refuge Marsh.   Pumping sufficient water to maintain previous wetland conditions at either wetland is not possible given (1) summer evaporation and transpiration rates, (2) current pumping capabilities, and (3) the cost of such pumping.   The assessment category for this wetland of "evaluated" indicates that the assessment is based entirely on "best professional judgement."  In terms of Section 305(b) reporting, "monitored assessments" are based primarily on recent, site-specific ambient monitoring data and thus have relatively high confidence.   IDNR considers waterbodies identified as "impaired" based on "monitored assessments" as candidates for the state's Section 303(d) list.   "Evaluated assessments" are those based on data older than five years or other than site-specific ambient monitoring data (e.g., questionnaire surveys of fish and game biologists [=best professional judgement]) and thus have relatively low confidence.   IDNR does not consider waterbodies identified as "impaired" based on "evaluated assessments" as candidates for the state's Section 303(d) list.  

Fish consumption uses remain "not assessed."  In general, Iowa wetlands are not managed for recreational fisheries; thus, fish contaminant monitoring is not typically conducted at these waterbodies.