Assessment Comments
Assessment based on special study conducted by Wisconsin DNR in summer 1997 and 1998 and on results of U.S. EPA/IDNR fish tissue monitoring in 1994.
Basis for Assessment
SUMMARY: The Class A (primary contact recreation) uses remain "not assessed." The Class B(WW) aquatic life uses remain assessed as "fully supporting / threatened." Fish consumption uses remain assessed as "fully supported." EXPLANATION: The Class A uses were not assessed due to lack of information on levels of indicator bacteria in this reach of river. The Class B(WW) uses remain assessed as "fully supporting / threatened" based on the 1997 study of dissolved oxygen levels by Sullivan and Endris (1998) of the Wisconsin DNR (see assessment for the 1998 report above). Fish consumption uses remain assessed as "fully supported" based on results of EPA/DNR fish tissue (RAFT) monitoring in 1994 downstream from Guttenberg that showed levels of contaminants in composite samples of fillets from channel catfish and smallmouth bass were less than ½ the respective FDA action levels and DNR levels of concern (see assessment for the 1996 report above). EPA/DNR fish tissue monitoring was conducted at this site again in 2000; results will not be available until mid-2001.
