Assessment Comments
Assessment remains based on results of an IDNR investigation of a fish kill in April 2001.
Basis for Assessment
SUMMARY: The general uses are assessed (evaluated) as "partially supported" based on a report of a fish kill in April 2001. Due to the absence of kills subsequent to that kill, this assessment segment will be considered “evaluated” and thus moved from Category 4d (impaired but TMDL not required) to Category 3b (water in need of further investigation) of Iowa's 2006 Integrated Report. This assessment also applies to the upstream segment of Feddeke Creek (IA 02-WFC-0033-2).
EXPLANATION: A fish kill occurred on this stream reach on April 23, 2001. The kill affected 7.3 miles of Feddeke Creek beginning south of Allison in Section 36, T92N, R17W (Butler Co.) and extending to the confluence of Feddeke Creek with the West Fork Cedar River. The kill was caused by leakage of 2,129 gallons of 28% liquid nitrogen fertilizer from a wind-damaged storage tank at Allison. An estimated 16,600 fish were killed. The party responsible for this kill was identified, and restitution was sought.
According to DNR's assessment methodology for Section 305(b) reporting, occurrence of a single pollution-caused fish kill during an assessment period indicates "partial support" of the aquatic life uses. If, however, a consent order has been issued to the party responsible for the kill and monetary restitution has been sought for the fish killed, the affected waterbody should be placed in IR Category 4d (impaired but TMDL not required). Thus, this assessment segment was placed into Category 4d of Iowa's 2004 Integrated Report. Also, according to IDNR's assessment/listing methodology, if no additional fish kills have occurred over at least a three-year period (i.e., no kills occurred in the period 2002-2004), the assessment of impairment should be considered “evaluated” (i.e., of lower confidence), and the waterbody segment should be moved from IR Category 4d to IR Category 3b (list of waters in need of further investigation).
