East Fork Des Moines River IA 04-EDM-970

Assessment Comments

Assessment is based on results of IDNR monthly ambient monitoring 1 mile N of St. Joseph, Kossuth Co.

Basis for Assessment

Used results of DNR monthly monitoring near St.  Joseph to assess support of the Class B(WW) aquatic life uses as FST (see account for next subsegment upriver:  waterbody IA 04-EDM-0010-2, Devine Access to Algonal WWTP).   Also, continue to use results of RAFT sampling in 1995 to assess fish consumption uses as FS due to all contaminants being < 1/2 the respective FDA action levels.   Data for levels of fecal coliform bacteria, however, suggest partial support:  of the 12 non-runoff affected samples, 3 samples exceeded the Class A WQ criterion of 200 orgs/100 ml.   The geometric mean level of fecal coliforms (129 orgs/100 ml) suggests full support, but 17 percent of the samples (2 samples) exceeded 400 orgs/100ml.   Thus, according to methods for assessing support of waterbodies designate for primary contact recreation, this river reach partially supports its designated Class A use (see p.  3-34 of the 1998 Section 305(b) guidelines).