Results of DNR beach monitoring from 2014 through 2016 suggest that the Class A1 uses are "partially supported." Levels of indicator bacteria at Hickory Grove Park Beach were monitored once per week during the primary contact recreation seasons (May through September) of 2014 (14 samples), 2015 (16 samples) and 2016 (16 samples), as part of the DNR beach monitoring program. According to DNR’s assessment methodology two conditions need to be met for results of beach monitoring to indicate “full support” of the Class A1 (primary contact recreation) uses: (1) the geometric mean of the samples from each recreation season of the three-year assessment period are less than the state's geometric mean criterion of 126 E. coli orgs/100 ml and (2) not more than 10% of the samples during any one recreation season exceeds the state's single-sample maximum value of 235 E. coli orgs/100 ml. If a sampling season geometric mean exceeds the state criterion of 1000 orgs/100 ml during the three-year assessment period, the Class A1 uses should be assessed as “not supported.” Also, if a sampling season geometric mean exceeds the state criterion of 126 orgs/100 ml during the three-year assessment period and/or if significantly more than 10% of the samples in any one of the three recreation seasons exceed Iowa's single-sample maximum value of 235 E. coli orgs/100 ml, the Class A1 uses should be assessed as “partially supported.” This assessment approach is based on U.S. EPA guidelines (see pgs 3-33 to 3-35 of U.S. EPA 1997b).

At Hickory Grove Park Beach, the geometric means from 2014, 2015 and 2016 were all below the Iowa water quality standard of 126 E. coli orgs/100 ml. The geometric mean was 57 E. coli orgs/100 ml in 2014, 77 E. coli orgs/100 ml in 2015 and 59 E. coli orgs/100 ml in 2016. The percentage of samples exceeding Iowa's single-sample maximum criterion (235 E. coli orgs/100 ml) was 29% in 2014, 25% in 2015 and 19% in 2016. The number of samples exceeding the single-sample maximum criterion was significantly greater than 10% in 2014 and 2015. According to DNR's assessment methodology and U.S. EPA guidelines, these results suggest "partially supported" of the Class A1 uses.

For the 2018 assessment/listing cycle, the Class A1 (primary contact recreation) uses of Hickory Grove Lake are assessed (monitored) as "partially supported" due to aesthetically objectionable conditions caused by algae blooms based on information from the ISU lake survey. Using the median values from these surveys from 2012-2016 (approximately 15 samples), Carlson 's (1977) trophic state indices for Secchi depth, chlorophyll a, and total phosphorus were 65, 65, and 62 respectively for Hickory Grove Lake. According to Carlson (1977) the Secchi depth, chlorophyll a, and total phosphorus values all place Hickory Grove Lake in the Eutrophic category. These values suggest high levels of chlorophyll a and suspended algae in the water, poor water transparency, and moderately high levels of phosphorus in the water column. The data show 2 violations of the Class A1 criterion for pH in 15 samples (13%).

The level of inorganic suspended solids was relatively low at Hickory Grove Lake, and does not suggest water quality problems due to non-algal turbidity. The median level of inorganic suspended solids in Hickory Grove Lake (2.3 mg/L) was ranked 50th among the 138 lakes by the ISU lake survey.

Data from the 2012-2016 ISU lake survey suggest a moderately large population of cyanobacteria exists at Hickory Grove Lake. These data show that cyanobacteria comprised 76% of the phytoplankton wet mass at this lake. The median cyanobacteria wet mass (16.8 mg/L) was ranked 68th of the 138 lakes sampled.

The Class B(LW) (aquatic life) uses are assessed (monitored) as "fully supported." Results of the ISU lake survey from 2012-2016 show there were no violations of the criterion for ammonia in 15 samples(0%), 2 violations of the criterion for dissolved oxygen in 15 samples(13%), and 2 violations of the criterion for pH in 15 samples(13%). Based on DNR's assessment methodology these violations are not significantly greater than 10% of the samples and therefore suggest (fully supported/monitored) of the Class B(LW) uses of Hickory Grove Lake.

Fish consumption uses were assessed (monitored) as “fully supported” based on results of U.S. EPA/DNR fish contaminant (RAFT) monitoring at Hickory Grove Lake in 2013.The composite samples of fillets from largemouth bass and channel catfish had low levels of contaminants.Levels of primary contaminants in the composite sample of largemouth bass fillets were as follows: mercury: 0.239 ppm.Levels of primary contaminants in the composite sample of channel catfish fillets were as follows:total PCBs: <0.6 ppm; and technical chlordane: <0.2 ppm.The existence of, or potential for, a fish consumption advisory is the basis for Section 305(b) assessments of the degree to which Iowa’s lakes and rivers support their fish consumption uses. The fish contaminant data generated from the 2013 RAFT sampling conducted at this lake show that the levels of contaminants do not exceed any of the advisory trigger levels, thus indicating no justification for issuance of a consumption advisory for this waterbody.