Assessment Comments

1997 Biocriteria: Fish IBI=19 (poor), 39 (fair); BM-IBI= 48 (fair), 57 (good).

Basis for Assessment

Used results of the 2 DNR bioassessements conducted in October 1997 2 mile WNW and 3 miles N of Roland to update the assessment of support of the Class B(LR) aquatic life uses developed for the 1994 report (=PS).   Used results of the 2 bioassessments to upgrade the assessment of support of the Class B(LR) uses from PS to FST due to (1) presence of a moderately diverse fish community (8 species from 2 families & 14 species from 5 families) for streams in the Des Moines Lobe subecoregion, (2) presence of a majority of the expected fish taxa (6 of 11 and 8 of 11) for streams in this subecoregion, and (3) lack of violations of Class B(LR) WQ criteria in the samples collected during the bioassessments.   Pasturing of the riparian zone, stream bank erosion, and channelization remain threats to the continued support of the Class B(LR) aquatic life uses.