North Fork Maquoketa River IA 01-NMQ-88
mouth (Jackson Co.) to confluence with Lytle Cr. S8 T85N R2E Jackson Co.
- Assessment Cycle
- 2020
- Release Status
- Final
- Data Collection Period
- Overall IR Category
- 5 - Water is impaired or threatened and a TMDL is needed.
- Trend
- Unknown
- Created
- 6/11/2020 9:15:36 AM
- Updated
- 10/14/2020 2:42:50 PM
Assessment Summary
The Class A1 use was assessed as "partially supported" due to levels of indicator bacteria (E. coli) that exceed state water quality criteria. The Class BWW1 use was assessed as "partially supported" due to a fish kill investigation. The Class HH use was assessed as "fully supported" based on water quality monitoring data.
Assessment Explanation
Sources of Data: Data Source Data Source ID Data Type Data Age Site ID Site Name Site Description Iowa DNR 6 WQ CY 2016-2018 10490001 North Fork Maquoketa River near Hurstville USGS 11 WQ CY 2016 5418400 North Fork Maquoketa River near Fulton, IA Iowa DNR 6 BIO See Below 282 North Fork Maquoketa River Maquoketa/Hurstville
Class A1 -
Indicator Bacteria: WQ Site ID Data Source ID # Samples / # Years 2016 Geometric Mean 2017 Geometric Mean 2018 Geometric Mean Annual Geometric Mean Violation # Violations % Violations Significantly >10% Violations Assessment Type Support Level 10490001 6 21 / 3 570.03 565.45 689.31 Yes 18 86% Yes Monitored Partial Class A - pH: Site ID Data Source ID # Samples / # Years Maximum Value Mean Value Median Value # Violations % Violations Significantly >10% Violations Assessment Type Support Level 10490001 6 36 / 3 8.4 8.2 8.2 0 0% No Monitored Full 5418400 11 2 / 1 8.2 8.1 8.1 0 0% No Evaluated Full Class BWW1 -
Conventional Parameters: Site ID Data Source ID Parameter Name # Samples / # Years Maximum Value Mean Value Median Value # Acute / Chronic Violations % Acute/ Chronic Violations Significantly >10% Violations Assessment Type Support Level 10490001 6 Ammonia 36 / 3 0.47 0.06 0.02 0 / 0 0% / 0% No Monitored Full 5418400 11 Ammonia 2 / 1 0.005 0 0 0 / 0 0% / 0% No Evaluated Full 10490001 6 Chloride 36 / 3 25 20 20 0 / 0 0% / 0% No Monitored Full 10490001 6 Dissolved oxygen 36 / 3 14.2 10.5 9.9 NA / 0 NA / 0% No Monitored Full 5418400 11 Dissolved oxygen 2 / 1 9.2 8.9 8.9 NA / 0 NA / 0% No Evaluated Full 10490001 6 pH 36 / 3 8.4 8.2 8.2 0 / NA 0% / NA No Monitored Full 5418400 11 pH 2 / 1 8.2 8.1 8.1 0 / NA 0% / NA No Evaluated Full 10490001 6 Sulfate 36 / 3 25 20 20 0 / NA 0% / NA No Monitored Full 10490001 6 Temperature 36 / 3 25.8 11.5 11.5 0 / 0 0% / 0% No Monitored Full 5418400 11 Temperature 2 / 1 24.1 22.8 22.8 0 / 0 0% / 0% No Evaluated Full Class BWW1 -
Toxic Parameters: Site ID Data Source ID Parameter Name # Samples / # Years Maximum Value Mean Value Median Value # Acute / Chronic Violations % Acute/ Chronic Violations >1 Acute / Chronic Violation Assessment Type Support Level 10490001 6 Aluminum 9 / 2 3.6 1.59 0.95 0 / 0 0% / 0% No Evaluated Full 10490001 6 Arsenic 9 / 2 1.2 0.86 0.84 0 / 0 0% / 0% No Evaluated Full 10490001 6 Cadmium 9 / 2 0.025 0.025 0.025 0 / 0 0% / 0% No Evaluated Full 10490001 6 Chromium 9 / 2 1.4 0.94 1.1 0 / 0 0% / 0% No Evaluated Full 10490001 6 Copper 9 / 2 2.9 1.02 0.76 0 / 0 0% / 0% No Evaluated Full 10490001 6 Lead 9 / 2 0.15 0.077 0.06 0 / 0 0% / 0% No Evaluated Full 10490001 6 Nickel 9 / 2 2.6 2.1 2.1 0 / 0 0% / 0% No Evaluated Full 10490001 6 Selenium 9 / 2 2.1 1.1 1.1 0 / 0 0% / 0% No Evaluated Full 10490001 6 Zinc 9 / 2 6.1 1.65 0.92 0 / 0 0% / 0% No Evaluated Full Class
BWW1 - Biological Sampling: Benthic
Macroinvertebrates: BioNet Site ID Date Drainage Area (mi2) Ecoregion Major Drainage/Thermal BM Sample Gear BMIBI score BMIBI Class 47f BMIBI BIT BMIBI Pass/ Fail 282 9/7/16 590 47f MS/WW Float ArtSub 67 Good 51 Pass 282 8/10/15 590 47f MS/WW Float ArtSub 73 Good 51 Pass 282 10/6/14 590 47f MS/WW Float ArtSub 59 Good 51 Pass Overall
Assessment: Community Assessment Type Assessment Result Support Level Earned IR Category Actual IR Category Reason Benthic
Macroinvertebrate Evaluated Pass (3/3) Full 1 1 Assessment is evaluated because the drainage area of the site(s)
was larger than the calibrated assessment methodology. Class HH-F -
Toxic Parameters:
Site ID Data Source ID Parameter Name # Samples / # Years Maximum Value Mean Value Median Value Number of Non - Detects Mean Value > Criterion or MCL Assessment Type Support Level 10490001 6 Cadmium 9 / 2 0.025 0.025 0.025 9 No All Non-Detect Full 10490001 6 Chromium 9 / 2 1.4 0.94 1.1 0 No Evaluated Full 10490001 6 Copper 9 / 2 2.9 1.02 0.76 0 No Evaluated Full 10490001 6 Nickel 9 / 2 2.6 2.1 2.1 0 No Evaluated Full 10490001 6 Selenium 9 / 2 2.1 1.1 1.1 0 No Evaluated Full 10490001 6 Zinc 9 / 2 6.1 1.65 0.92 0 No Evaluated Full Class BWW1 - Fish kill Assessment: The Class BWW1 use assessment based on the 2016 fish kill placed this segment in Category 5b. The fish kill was caused by a “pollutant” or was suspected to be caused by a “pollutant”; therefore, the Class BWW1 use was considered impaired. Because the source of the pollutant was not identified and/or the enforcement actions taken against the responsible party have not been resolved, the Class BWW1 use was placed in Category 5b. Due to uncertainty regarding the recovery of the aquatic life following the fish kill, any existing fish kill 5b impairment will remain in Category 5b until more recent sampling has shown recovery of the aquatic community or the responsible party has paid restitution. Details about the 2016 fish kill can be found here:https://programs.iowadnr.gov/fishkill/Events/916 Class BWW1 - Nutrient Impact Assessment: Monitoring data collected from the DNR/SHL ambient fixed station near Hurtsville (10490001) during the 2010-2014 data assessment period were sufficient to complete a Nutrient Impact Assessment (NIA). Data analysis methods and screening benchmark values for nutrient stressor and response parameters described in the DNR’s 2016 NIA methodology were used to examine for nutrient impacts often associated with low biotic index scores and violations of dissolved oxygen (DO) criteria. Nutrient stressor: The median concentration of total phosphorus (TP) was 0.22 mg/L among samples collected during the June 15- October 15 index period. The TP benchmark (0.10 mg/L) was exceeded in 18 of 20 samples. The percentage exceeding (90%) was greater than (failing) the 50% threshold with high statistical confidence (> 90%). Nutrient response parameter: The median concentration of algal chlorophyll A suspended in water (WCHLA) was 11 ug/L. The WCHLA benchmark (20 ug/L) was exceeded in 2 of 20 samples. The percentage exceeding (10%) was less than (passing) the 50% threshold with high statistical confidence (> 90%). The median rating of filamentous algae coverage (FLMA) on hard substrates was 0 (absent). The FLMA benchmark (3; 50%-75%) was exceeded in 0 of 8 observations. The percentage exceeding (0%) was less than (passing) the 50% threshold with high statistical confidence (> 90%). The results of this “evaluated” assessment indicate the presence of elevated levels of the nutrient stressor parameter (TP) and low levels of the nutrient response parameters, WCHLA and FLMA. This combination of results is interpreted as representing a moderate risk of aquatic life use impairment due to nutrient enrichment. Continuous monitoring data were not available to examine for violations of DO criteria; however, the benthic macroinvertebrate index (BMIBI) results described suggest full attainment of aquatic life uses. Based on the assessed risk level, the stream segment is considered a moderate priority for follow-up nutrient impact monitoring.
Assessment Key Dates
8/10/2015 | Biological Monitoring |
1/5/2016 | Fixed Monitoring Start Date |
12/6/2018 | Fixed Monitoring End Date |
10/6/2014 | Biological Monitoring |
9/7/2016 | Biological Monitoring |
9/19/2016 | Fish Kill |
Methods
120 | Surveys of fish and game biologists/other professionals |
140 | Incidence of spills and/or fish kills |
230 | Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants) |
315 | Regional reference site approach |
320 | Benthic macroinvertebrate surveys |
420 | Indicator bacteria monitoring |