Little Buffalo Creek (aka North Buffalo Cr.) IA 04-EDM-988

Assessment Comments

Stream use assessment.

Basis for Assessment

Continued to use the assessment of support of the Class B(LR) aquatic life uses developed for the 1996 report (=PS).   This stream and its receiving stream (Buffalo Creek) were affected by a fish kill on September 6, 1996.   An estimated 500,000 fish were killed over 22 miles of stream; the cause of the kill was toxic levels of ammonia and BOD from a release of manure from an animal feeding operation.   Results of the October 1992 DNR stream use assessment suggest that this stream may have been affected by fish kills in previous years:  only two fish species were captured by seining in approximately 800 feet of stream.   This number of species is well below that typical of Class B(LR) strams in this region.  In addition, the moderate habitat alterations noted on the SUA field sheet (removal of riparian vegetation, channel straightening, and pasturing of riparian area) would not likely account for such a depressed diversity of fish.   Follow-up monitoring is needed to determine the status of aquatic communities and habitats of this stream and to determine the degree to which the Class B(LR) uses may be impaired.  Investigation into the fish kill history of this stream should also be conducted.