As the DNR works to bring Iowa’s water quality standards into compliance with the federal Clean Water Act, it is assigning designated uses to each stream and river in Iowa. This assessment process is all part of establishing new goals and levels of protection for Iowa’s water.

Use Assessment/Use Attainability Analysis Search This database provides the opportunity to view the department's recommended use designations and supporting information. Fact sheet: What recreational stream protections mean *.pdf This fact sheet explains how designating streams for recreation will give added protection to the water and Iowans. Fact Sheet: Assessing Iowa Stream Uses,*.pdf The following fact sheet answers the following questions about the UA/UAA process: What are UA/UAAs? What does “designated use” mean? What is the first step? What streams will be assessed? When will work be complete? What follows the completion of a UA/UAA report? Process for public review flowchart

Assessment Protocols:

• Warm Water Stream Use Designation Protocol,*.pdf
• Cold Water Protocol,*.pdf
• Recreational Use Assessment and Attainability Analysis Protocol - NOIA Version,*.pdf

Field assessments on Iowa’s rivers and streams began this year as a result of DNR rulemaking and 2006 legislation that determined all 26,000 miles of Iowa’s perennial streams are protected for swimming and fishing. This protection brings the DNR closer to compliance with Federal Clean Water Standards and establishes new goals for water quality in the state of Iowa.

Of particular concern are the streams and rivers that receive a discharge from a facility with a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. These facilities may have to meet more stringent permit limits as a result of the increased protection.

The DNR is assessing these streams for aquatic life and recreational uses to determine if the new classifications are appropriate. This means these waters are considered fishable and swimmable unless shown otherwise through a scientifically based assessment, in this case a Use Attainability Assessment (UAA). The department is conducting this field work to determine whether this “fishable and swimmable” presumption is appropriate for these waters. Once the field work is complete, the DNR will be drafting the UAA reports which will provide an analysis of attainable uses for that specific waterbody. These UAAs will be available for public review and any recommended use designation change shall proceed through the formal rulemaking process.

Rulemaking Documents:

• NOIA: ARC 6351B – Stream Use Designation Revisions,*.pdf file
• Fiscal Impact Statement - "Stream Use Designation Revisions," Sept. 10, 2007,*.pdf file
• Responsiveness Summary,*.pdf file
• Combined Stream Comment Analysis (*.pdf files)
  • Pages 1-101
  • Pages 102-200
  • Pages 201-300
  • Pages 301-400
  • Pages 401-493
• Internet Survey Results,*.pdf file
• Use Assessment and Attainability Analysis Tracking Log,*.pdf file