East Fork Des Moines River IA 04-EDM-972
from outfall of the Algona wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) to confluence with Buffalo Cr. in S20 T97N R28W Kossuth Co.
- Cycle
- 2016
- Release Status
- Final
- Overall IR
- 3 - Insufficient data exist to determine whether any designated uses are met.
- Trend
- Unknown
- Created
- 9/27/2016 11:51:33 AM
- Updated
- 10/5/2016 3:16:23 PM
The Class A1 (primary contact recreation) uses remain "not assessed" (IR 3a) due to the lack of information upon which to base an assessment. The Class B(WW1) aquatic life uses remain assessed (evaluated) (IR 3b) as "partially supported" based on occurrence of a fish kill in February 2004. Fish consumption uses remain assessed (monitored) as "fully supported" (IR 2a) based on results of fish contaminant monitoring in 2002 and 2008. The sources of data for this assessment are (1) an IDNR investigation of a fish kill in February 2004 and (2) results of U.S. EPA/IDNR fish contaminant (RAFT) monitoring near Algona in July 2002 and September 2008.
The occurrence of a fish kill in February 2004 suggests that the Class B(WW1) aquatic life uses should remain assessed (evaluated) as "partially supported". This kill occurred on or before February 10, 2004; the kill was attributed to natural causes (winterkill). An estimated 100 fish were killed. No information on the species killed was provided; no estimate of the value of the fish killed was provided. The kill affected approximately 10 miles of river. According to the IDNR investigation, dead fish were observed at three riffle sites. Dissolved oxygen readings on February 10th were extremely low (less than 1ppm) at all the riffle sites (Patterson Recreation Area, Plum Creek Dam, and Veteran’s Park). The continuance of the IR Category 2b listing is based on IDNR's assessment methodology that states the following: the occurrence of a single pollutant-caused fish kill, or a fish kill of unknown origin, on a waterbody or waterbody reach during the most recent assessment period indicates a severe stress to the aquatic community and suggests that the aquatic life uses should be assessed as “impaired”. If a cause of the kill was not identified during the IDNR investigation, or if the kill was attributed to non-pollutant causes (e.g., winterkill), the assessment type will be considered “evaluated” and will be placed in IR subcategories 2b or 3b and will be added to the state list of waters in need of further investigation. Fish consumption uses remain assessed (monitored) as “fully supported” based on results of U.S. EPA/IDNR fish contaminant (RAFT) monitoring near Algona in 2002 and 2008. The composite samples of fillets from channel catfish and walleye in 2002 had low levels of contaminants. Levels of primary contaminants in the composite sample of channel catfish fillets were as follows: mercury: 0.069 ppm; total PCBs: <0.09 ppm; and technical chlordane: <0.03 ppm. Levels of primary contaminants in the composite sample of walleye fillets were as follows: mercury: 0.154 ppm; total PCBs: <0.09 ppm; and technical chlordane: <0.03 ppm. Follow-up sampling of walleye was conducted in 2008. The level of mercury in the composite sample of walleye fillets in 2008 was 0.14 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 2008 RAFT sampling conducted at this river 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.