Assessment Comments
Assessment is based on results of fish surveys conducted by Iowa State University (see Kaminski et al. 1995).
Basis for Assessment
[Note: For the 2002 report, the previous waterbody segment for Minerva Creek (IA 02-IOW-0250-0), which extended 20 miles from its mouth to an unnamed tributary in Hardin County, was split into three subsegments: (1) mouth (NW 1/4, S2, T84N, R19W, Marshall Co.) to confluence with Middle Minerva Cr. in S 35, T85N, R20W, Marshall Co. (IA 02-IOW-0250-1), (2) from Middle Minerva Cr. to confluence with unnamed tributary (from west) in SW 1/4, NW 1/4, S9, T85N, R20W, Marshall Co. (IA 02-IOW-0250-2), and (3) from unnamed tributary (from west) to confluence with unnamed tributary in S33, T86N, R21W, Hardin Co. (IA 02-IOW-0250-3). See assessment information for segment IA 02-IOW-0250-1 for previous Section 305(b) assessments for the previous 20-mile stream segment.]
SUMMARY: The Class B(LR) aquatic life uses remain assessed as "fully supported / threatened." The assessment category, however, is changed from "monitored" to "evaluated." EXPLANATION: Continue to use the assessment developed for the 1998 report (see above) that was based on results of the 1992 IDNR stream use assessments and the 1995 surveys conducted by Iowa State University. However, because these data are now considered too old (greater than five years) to accurately characterize current water quality conditions, the assessment category is changed from "monitored" (indicating an assessment with relatively high confidence) to "evaluated" (indicating an assessment with relatively low confidence).
