Assessment Comments
Assessment if based on results of IDNR/UHL biological (biocriteria) monitoring in 1998: Fish IBI (4 sites upstream to downstream) = 6(very poor), 5(very poor), 34(fair), 18(poor)
Basis for Assessment
SUMMARY: The general use aquatic life uses remain assessed (monitored) as "not supported" based on results of IDNR/UHL biological (biocriteria) sampling in 1998. This is the same assessment as that developed for the 2002 reporting cycle.
EXPLANATION: As stated in the assessment developed for the 2000 reporting cycle, only fish data were quantitatively analyzed for this assessment, while benthic macroinvertebrate data were analyzed qualitatively. The Fish IBI score (4 sites upstream to downstream) = 6(very poor), 5(very poor), 34(fair), 18(poor). The aquatic life use support status was assessed as not supporting (=NS), based on a comparison of the F-IBI with biological assessment criteria established specifically for the 2000 Section 305b report (IDNR 2000). The biological assessment criteria were determined from a statistical analysis of data collected at stream ecoregion reference sites from 1994-1998. Although assessments based on biocriteria monitoring in general use-only stream segments are typically considered "evaluated" (as are assessments based on monitoring of only one of the two aquatic indicator communities used in IDNR/UHL biocriteria monitoring), this assessment is considered "monitored" for the following reason: two of the four locations had fish scores in the "very poor" range, thus strongly suggesting significant deviation from the expected biological condition, and thus impairment, regardless of the condition of the community of aquatic macroinvertebrates.
