Willow Creek IA 02-WIN-848

Assessment Comments

Assessment based on results of IDNR/UHL biological (biocriteria) monitoring in 2001: FIBI = 56 (good), BMIBI = 72 (good). Riffle site FIBI BIC = 53, BMIBI BIC = 62.

Basis for Assessment

SUMMARY:  The Class B(LR) aquatic life uses are assessed (monitored) as "fully supported" based on results of IDNR/UHL biological (biocriteria) sampling in 2001.  

EXPLANATION:  The assessment was based on data collected in 2001 as part of the DNR/UHL stream biocriteria project.  The 2001 FIBI score was 56 (good) and the BM-IBI score was 72 (good).   The aquatic life use support was assessed as fully supporting (=FS), based on a comparison of the FIBI and BMIBI scores with biological impairment criteria (BIC) established from a statistical analysis of data collected at stream ecoregion reference sites from 1994-2004.   The riffle site FIBI BIC for this ecoregion is 53 and the BMIBI BIC for this ecoregion is 62.   Even though this site passed both the FIBI and BMIBI BICs, it is uncertain as to whether or not this segment is meeting the aquatic life criteria because it is a small general use stream and doesn’t fall in the calibrated watershed size.