Assessment Comments
Assessment is based on results of 2000 Biocriteria monitoring: Fish IBI= 15,17(poor); BM-IBI= 56,66(good).
Basis for Assessment
[Note: For the 2002 report, the previous waterbody segment for Buffalo Creek (IA 04-EDM-0090-0), which extended 26 miles from its mouth to the confluence with Drainage Ditch 48, was split into three subsegments: (1) mouth to confluence with outlet from Union Slough (IA 04-EDM-0090-1), (2) from outlet of Union Slough to confluence with Little Buffalo Cr. (IA 04-EDM-0090-2), and (3) from Little Buffalo Creek to confluence with Drainage Ditch 48 (IA 04-EDM-0090-3). See above for previous Section 305(b) assessments for the original 26-mile stream reach.]
The assessment was based on data collected in 2000 at the Michaelson Marsh Area (Kossuth Co.) as part of the DNR/UHL stream biocriteria project. The 2000 Fish IBI score was 15 (poor) and the BM-IBI score was 66 (good). The aquatic life use support was assessed as partially supporting (=PS), based on a comparison of the F-IBI and BM-IBI scores with biological assessment criteria established specifically for the 2002 Section 305(b) report. The biological assessment criteria were determined from a statistical analysis of data collected at stream ecoregion reference sites from 1994-2001.
