Assessment Comments
Assessment is based on results of IDNR/UHL biological (biocriteria) monitoring in 2000: Fish IBI= 15 (poor); BM-IBI= 66 (good) and on 2000 Fisheries data: Fish IBI = 51 (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.]
SUMMARY: The Class B(LR) aquatic life uses are assessed (monitored) as "partially supported" based on results of IDNR/UHL biological (biocriteria) sampling in 2000. This is the same assessment as that developed for the 2002 reporting cycle.
EXPLANATION: 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.
The assessment was partially based on data collected in 2000 as part of a DNR Fisheries stream sampling project: Manchester research station. A series of biological metrics which reflect stream water quality and habitat integrity were calculated from the Fisheries sampling data. The biological metrics are based on the numbers and types of fish species that were collected in the stream sampling reach. The biological metrics were combined to make a fish community index of biotic integrity (F-IBI). The index ranks the biological integrity of a stream sampling reach on a rising scale from 0 (minimum) to 100 (maximum). The 2000 evaluated Fish IBI was 51 (good). The aquatic life use support was assessed (evaluated) as Fully Supporting (=FS), based on a comparison of the F-IBI score with biological assessment criteria established for previous Section 305(b) reports. The biological assessment criteria were determined from a statistical analysis of data collected at stream ecoregion reference sites from 1994-2001.
