Winnebago River IA 02-WIN-830

Assessment Comments

Assessment is based on results of a September 1995 IDNR stream use assessment.

Basis for Assessment

SUMMARY:  The Class B(WW) aquatic life uses remain assessed (evaluated) as "fully supported / threatened" (minor impacts) based on results of biological monitoring and habitat assessment conducted as part of a 1995 IDNR stream use assessment.   Due to the age of the data, the assessment category is changed from "monitored" to "evaluated."  Fish consumption uses remain "not assessed."  

EXPLANATION:  Continue to use the assessment developed for the 1998 report that was based on results of the 1995 IDNR stream use assessment.   As stated in the assessment developed for the 1998 reporting cycle, the Class B(WW) aquatic life uses were assessed as "fully supported / threatened" due to (1) presence of a majority of the expected fish taxa (4 of 11) for low gradient streams in the Des Moines Lobe subecoregion and (2) indications on field sheet of relatively good quality quality aquatic habitat.   Two game fish species were present: channel catfish (YOY) and northern pike.   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).  

Fish consumption uses remain "not assessed" due to the lack of fish contaminant monitoring in this river segment.