Richland Creek IA 02-IOW-718

Assessment Comments

Assessment is based on 1995 and 1999 IDNR/UHL biological monitoring data: FIBI = 42 (fair), 55 (good), BMIBI = 65, 61 (good). FIBI BIC = 36, BMIBI BIC = 51.

Basis for Assessment

Note:  Prior to the 2008 Section 305(b) cycle, this stream segment was designated only for Class B(LR) aquatic life uses.   Due to changes in Iowa’s surface water classification that were approved by U.S.  EPA in February 2008 (see http://www.iowadnr.com/water/standards/files/06mar_swc.pdf), this segment is now presumptively designated for Class A1 (primary contact recreation) uses.   The stream remains designated for aquatic life uses (now termed Class B(WW2) aquatic life uses).   Thus, for the current (2010) assessment, the available water quality monitoring data will be compared to the applicable Class A1 and Class B(WW2) water quality criteria.]

SUMMARY:  The presumptive Class A1 (primary contact recreation) uses remain "not assessed" due to the lack of information upon which to base an assessment.   The Class B(WW-2) aquatic life uses remain assessed (evaluated) as "fully supported" based on results of IDNR/UHL biological (biocriteria) sampling in 1995 and 1999.

EXPLANATION:  The assessment of the Class B(WW2) aquatic life uses was based on data collected in 1995 1999 as part of the IDNR/UHL stream biocriteria project.   The 1995 FIBI score was 42 (fair) and the BMIBI score was 65 (good).   The 1999 FIBI score was 55 (good) and the BMIBI score was 61 (good).   The aquatic life use support was assessed (evaluated) as fully supporting (=FS), based on a comparison of the FIBI and BMIBI scores with biological impairment criteria (BIC) established for previous Section 305(b) reports.   The biological impairment criteria were determined from a statistical analysis of data collected at stream ecoregion reference sites from 1994-2004.   The FIBI BIC for this ecoregion is 36 and the BMIBI BIC for this ecoregion is 51.   This segment passed the FIBI and BMIBI BICs 2/2 times in the last 15 years.

This aquatic life assessment is now considered "evaluated" based on a change in the 2010 IDNR assessment methodology.   IDNR now requires a segment have two or more biological samples collected from the segment in multiple years between 2004 and 2008 to be considered “monitored”.   This segment had multiple samples collected in the previous 15 years (1994-2008); however, the multiple samples were not collected during 2004-2008.   Despite this change in assessment methodology and type, this waterbody remains in IR Category 2a.