Little Bear Creek IA 02-IOW-705
mouth (S16 T80N R13W Poweshiek Co.) to confluence with unnamed tributary in SE 1/4 NW 1/4 S29 T80N R14W Poweshiek Co.
- Cycle
- 2026
- Current Phase
- Public Comment
- Overall IR
- 5 - Water is impaired or threatened and a TMDL is needed.
- Trend
- Stable
- Created
- 10/27/2025 3:09:37 PM
- Updated
- 12/29/2025 12:41:49 PM
The presumptive Class A1 use was assessed as “not supported” due to levels of indicator bacteria that exceeded state water quality criteria. The Class BWW2 use was assessed as “not supported" based on biological sampling data. The 2023 biological sampling data indicate "full support"; however, a monitored assessment is required to delist a Category 5 impairment. Note: A TMDL covering the bacteria impairments for all segments, with the segment code prefix "IA 02-IOW" in the Iowa River Basin, was approved by EPA in 2018. Due to the completion of the TMDL, the IR category for the presumptive Class A1 use was changed from 5p (impaired; TMDL needed) to 4a (impaired; TMDL approved). Because not all impairments identified for this segment are covered by the TMDL, this segment remains in Category 5 of Iowa's Integrated Report (impaired; TMDL needed).
Data Sources: Data Source Data Source ID Data Type Data Age Site ID Site Name Site Description Iowa DNR 6 WQ CY 2012-2014 15790004 Little Bear Creek at S Orchard LB4 Iowa DNR 6 WQ CY 2012-2014 15790006 Little Bear Creek at 285 Ave LB6 Iowa DNR 6 BIO See Below 523 Little Bear Creek Brooklyn – REMAP #290 Site ID Data Source ID # Samples / # Years 2012 Geometric Mean 2013 Geometric Mean 2014 Geometric Mean Annual Geometric Mean Violation # Violations % Violations Significantly >10% Violations Assessment Type Support Level 15790004 6 25 / 3 1082 749 1105 Yes 24 96% Yes Evaluated Not 15790006 6 25 / 3 1266 1283 1429 Yes 24 96% Yes Evaluated Not BioNet Site ID Date Drainage Area (mi2) Ecoregion Major Drainage/Thermal BM Sample Gear BMIBI score BMIBI Class 47f BMIBI BIT BMIBI Pass/Fail 523 9/6/23 44 47f MS/WW Surber 47 Fair 51 Pass* BioNet Site ID Date Drainage Area (mi2) Ecoregion Major Drainage/Thermal Riffle Stream? FIBI score FIBI Class 47f FIBI BIT FIBI Pass/Fail 523 9/6/23 44 47f MS/WW NA 35 Fair 36 Pass* Community Assessment Type Assessment Result Support Level IR Category Reason Benthic Macroinvertebrates Evaluated Pass (1/1) Full *The BMIBI score
passed using the 8 point UAV applied to single samples. Fish Evaluated Pass (1/1) Full *The FIBI score
passed using the 7 point UAV applied to single samples. Overall Evaluated Pass Full 5bt Evaluated assessment
based on single sample, Cat 5 delisting needs a monitored assessment.
Presumptive Class A1 - Indicator Bacteria:
Class BWW2 - Biological Sampling:
Benthic Macroinvertebrates:
Fish:
Overall: