North Skunk River IA 03-NSK-858
from confluence with Middle Cr. (S35 T76N R14W Mahaska Co.) to the Mahaska/Poweshiek county line.
Assessment Comments
Assessment is based on 1996 biocriteria sampling: fish, 22 spp., 4 fams.; Fish IBI= 36(fair), BM-IBI= 53(fair).
Basis for Assessment
Used results of the DNR biocriteria sampling in October 1996 to assess support of the Class B(LR) aquatic life uses as FST due to (1) presence of a relatively diverse fish community of 22 species from 4 families, (2) presence a majority of the expected fish taxa (6 of 8) for streams in the portion of the Southern Iowa Rolling Loess Prairies subecoregion that drains to the Mississippi River, and (3) lack of violations of Class B(LR) WQ criteria in the sample collected during biocriteria sampling. Missing fish taxa were stream-dwelling centrarchids and darter spp.
Assessment Key Dates
| 10/7/1996 | Biological Monitoring |
Methods
| 330 | Fish surveys |
| 380 | Quan. measurements of instream parms-- channel morphology-- floodplain-- 1-2 seasons-- by prof |
| 220 | Non-fixed station physical/chemical monitoring (conventional pollutant only) |
| 315 | Regional reference site approach |
| 320 | Benthic macroinvertebrate surveys |
Monitoring Levels
| Biological | 4 |
| Habitat | 4 |
| Physical Chemistry | 1 |
| Toxic | 0 |
| Pathogen Indicators | 0 |
| Other Health Indicators | 0 |
| Other Aquatic Life Indicators | 0 |
| # of Bio Sites | 1 |
| BioIntegrity | Fair |
| Causes | Use Support | Cause Magnitude | Sources | Source Magnitude |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other habitat alterations | Overall Use Support | Not Impairing |
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| Other habitat alterations | Aquatic Life Support | Not Impairing |
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