Lower Big Sioux River Watershed Biotic Stressor Identification Report

Document
Description
The purpose of stressor identification is to explain the results of the biological monitoring and assessment process. The information obtained answers the questions of why one stream has a low index of biological integrity (IBI) score, while another has a high score. It looks at causal factors – negative ones harming fish and insects, and positive ones leading to healthy biology. Stressors may be physical, chemical, or biological. This report summarizes stressor identification work in the Lower Big Sioux River watershed. Located in southwest Minnesota, the Lower Big Sioux River watershed encompasses approximately 326,556 acres within the state of Minnesota. This watershed includes many large and small tributaries to the Big Sioux River. This report analyzed the biological impairments in six subwatersheds within the Lower Big Sioux River watershed. The subwatersheds having a biological impairment were: Beaver Creek, Blood Run, Flandreau Creek, Pipestone Creek, Split Rock Creek, and Spring Creek. After examining many candidate causes for the biological impairments, the following stressors were identified in their respective subwatershed.
Date Issued
2014-12
Number of Pages
110
Decade
Publisher
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (St. Paul, Minnesota)
Publication Series
Body of Water
Rights Holder
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Rights Management
Public Domain