West Branch Beaverdam Creek IA 02-WFC-825

Assessment Comments

Stream use assessment in Cerro Gordo County.

Basis for Assessment

Used a review of the field sheet from the November 1990 DNR stream use assessment in Cerro Gordo County to continue to assess support of the Class B(LR) aquatic life uses as FST due to (1) presence of a majority of the expected fish taxa (6 of 11) for streams in the Des Moines Lobe subecoregion (47b) and (2) indications on field sheet of above average habitat quality with very diverse substrates, numerous pool/riffle sequences, and only isolated areas of channel alterations and streambank erosion.   The diversity of the fish community (8 species from 2 families) was somewhat low, but the low diversity may have been influenced by the late season collection (November, with areas of ice in the stream) and by use of a seine over rocky substrates.   The data upon which this assessment is based are over 5 years old.   Additional monitoring is needed to update this assessment and to determine the status of the aquatic communities and habitats.   Given the excellent aquatic habitats, additional sampling may show this to be a fully supporting (not threatened) stream.