College Creek IA 03-SSK-955

The assessment of the presumptive Class B(WW1) aquatic life uses remains based on data collected in 2007 as part of the DNR/SHL stream monitoring program.A series of biological metrics which reflect stream water quality and habitat integrity were calculated from the biocriteria sampling data.The biological metrics are based on the numbers and types of benthic macroinvertebrate taxa and fish species that were collected in the stream sampling reach. The biological metrics were combined to make a fish community index of biotic integrity (FIBI) and a benthic macroinvertebrate index (BMIBI). The indexes rank the biological integrity of a stream sampling reach on a rising scale from 0 (minimum) to 100 (maximum). The 2007 BMIBI score was 61 (good) and the 2007 FIBI scores were 10, 11, and 20 (all poor). The aquatic life use support was assessed (evaluated) as partially supporting (=PS), based on a comparison of the BMIBI and FIBI scores with biological impairment criteria (BIC) established from a statistical analysis of data collected at stream ecoregion reference sites from 1994-2008.The non-riffle FIBI BIC for this ecoregion is 32 and the BMIBI BIC is 62. This segment passed the FIBI BIC 0/3 times and passed the BMIBI BIC 1/1 times (using the single sample uncertainty adjustment value of 8 points) in 2007. Even though this site failed the FIBI BIC and passed the BMIBI BIC using the UAV of 8 points, it is uncertain as to whether or not this segment is meeting the aquatic life criteria because it is a small headwater stream and doesn’t fall in the calibrated watershed size. Also, because these data are now considered too old (greater than five years) to accurately characterize current water quality conditions, the assessment category is considered “evaluated” (indicating an assessment with relatively lower confidence) as opposed to "monitored" (indicating an assessment with relatively higher confidence).

This aquatic life assessment is now considered "evaluated" based on a change in the 2010 DNR assessment methodology. 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).

Prior to the changes in Iowa’s surface water classification that were approved by U.S. EPA in February 2008, this stream was classified only for general uses due to the inability of the stream to support a viable aquatic community at low-flow conditions. DNR’s existing biological assessment protocol, however, was calibrated to aquatic life reference conditions in larger wadeable streams with perennial flow. The aquatic environment of most headwater streams is one of extremes in water quality. Consequently, intermittent headwater streams tend to have biological diversity that is low relative to more stable aquatic environments of larger streams with perennial flow. Thus, the use of biological assessment methods developed for the ecologically more stable and diverse streams will likely overstate the existence of impairment in headwater streams.