South Sabula Lake IA 01-NEM-72

Assessment Comments

Assessment is based on results of U.S. EPA/IDNR fish contaminant (RAFT) monitoring in 2007.

Basis for Assessment

SUMMMARY:  The Class A1 (primary contact recreation) and the Class B(LW) (aquatic life) uses are "not assessed" due to lack of information upon which to base an assessment.   The fish consumption uses are assessed (monitored) as "fully supported" based on results of fish tissue monitoring in 2007.

EXPLANATION: Fish consumption uses were assessed (monitored) as “fully supported” based on results of U.S.  EPA/IDNR fish contaminant (RAFT) monitoring at South Sabula Lake in 2007.   The composite samples of fillets from common carp and black crappie had low levels of contaminants.   Levels of primary contaminants in the composite sample of common carp fillets were as follows: mercury: 0.0457 ppm; total PCBs: 0.09 ppm; and technical chlordane: <0.03 ppm.   The level of mercury in the composite sample of black crappie fillets was 0.0173 ppm.   The existence of, or potential for, a fish consumption advisory is the basis for Section 305(b) assessments of the degree to which Iowa’s lakes and rivers support their fish consumption uses.   The fish contaminant data generated from the 2007 RAFT sampling conducted at this lake show that the levels of contaminants do not exceed any of the advisory trigger levels, thus indicating no justification for issuance of a consumption advisory for this waterbody.