Assessment Comments
Assessment is based on results of IDNR/UHL biological (biocriteria) monitoring in 1997: FIBI = 20 (poor), BMIBI = 41 (fair). Non-riffle FIBI BIC = 32, BMIBI BIC = 62.
Basis for Assessment
SUMMARY: The general aquatic life uses are assessed (evaluated) as "paritally supported" based on results of IDNR/UHL biological (biocriteria) sampling in 1997.
EXPLANATION: This evaluated biological assessment was based on data collected in 1997 as part of the DNR/UHL stream REMAP project. A series of biological metrics that 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 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 2003 FIBI score was 20 (poor) and the BMIBI score was 41 (fair). The aquatic life use support was assessed (evaluated) as partially supporting (=PS), based on a comparison of the FIBI and BMIBI scores with biological impairment criteria (BIC) established from a statistical analysis of data collected at stream ecoregion reference sites from 1994-2004. The non-riffle FIBI BIC for this ecoregion is 32 and the BMIBI BIC for this ecoregion is 62. Even though this site failed both the FIBI and BMIBI BICs, it is uncertain as to whether or not this segment is meeting the aquatic life criteria because it is a small general use stream and doesn’t fall in the calibrated watershed size.
