North Skunk River IA 03-NSK-858

The Class B(WW2) aquatic life uses are assessed (evaluated) as “partially supporting” was based on data collected in 2002 and 2011 as part of the DNR/SHL stream biocriteria project. The 2002 FIBI score was 12 (poor) and the BMIBI score was 72 (good). The 2011 FIBI score was 3 (poor) and the BMIBI score was 86 (excellent). The aquatic life use support was assessed (evaluated) as partially supporting (=PS), 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 1994-2008. The FIBI BIC for this ecoregion is 36 and the BMIBI BIC for this ecoregion is 51. This segment passed the FIBI BIC 0/2 times and passed the BMIBI BIC 2/2 times in the last 15 years. This assessment is considered evaluated because the drainage area (534 mi2) above this sampling site was greater than the maximum limit (500 mi2) that was used to calibrate the Iowa wadeable stream impairment criteria. Even though this site failed the FIBI BIC and and passed the BMIBI BIC, it is uncertain as to whether or not this segment is meeting the aquatic life criteria because the drainage area above site used for the assessment (534 mi2) doesn’t fall in the calibrated watershed size (500 mi2). Therefore, DNR considers the aquatic life use impairments indicated by these data as “evaluated” assessments that are not appropriate for Section 303(d) listing (Category 5 of the Integrated Report). DNR does, however, consider these impairments as appropriate for listing under either Category 2b or 3b of the Integrated Report (waters potentially impaired and in need of further investigation).

This aquatic life assessment is now also considered "evaluated" based on a change in the 2010 DNR assessment methodology. DNR now requires a segment have two or more biological samples collected from the segment in multiple years over a five-year period to be considered “monitored”. This segment had multiple samples collected in the previous 15 years (2002-2016); however, the multiple samples were not collected during a five-year period. According to DNR’s assessment/listing methodology, impairments based on “evaluated” assessments are of lesser confidence and are thus not appropriate for Section 303(d) listing (Category 5 of the Integrated Report). DNR does, however, consider these impairments as appropriate for listing under either Category 2b or 3b of the Integrated Report (waters potentially impaired and in need of further investigation).