Protected uses are those general uses and designated uses that apply to Iowa's surface waters. All surface waters in Iowa are afforded protection for general uses; selected waterbodies are classified for designated uses and are afforded additional protection. General uses are protected by narrative criteria, and designated uses are protected by water quality criteria and the state's antidegradation policy (*.pdf file) as described in the Iowa Water Quality Standards. In addition, water designated as "High Quality" (HQ) or "High Quality Resource" (HQR) receive special protection to maintain their outstanding water quality, ecological significance, and/or recreational significance.

General Uses:
General uses apply to all surface waters, including Class "A", "B", and "C" waters. General Use waters are potentially used for livestock and wildlife watering, aquatic life, non-contact recreation, crop irrigation, and industrial, domestic, agricultural, and other incidental water withdrawal uses not otherwise protected by Class "A1", "A2", "A3", "B", or "C" water quality criteria.

For more information on general uses, follow this link: General Uses

Designated Uses:
Surface waters in Iowa can be designated for one or a combination of the following uses:

A. Recreational (Class “A”) uses: Waters designated for Class “A” uses are protected for various contact recreational uses.

• Class “A1” Primary contact recreational use: waters in which recreational or other uses may result in prolonged and direct contact with the water
• Class “A2” Secondary contact recreational use: waters in which recreational or other uses may result in contact with the water that is either incidental or accidental
• Class “A3” Children’s recreational use: waters in which recreational uses by children are common

B. Aquatic Life (Class "B") uses: Waters designated for Class "B" uses are protected for wildlife, fish, aquatic and semi-aquatic life uses. Class "B" waters are divided into the following categories:

• Class "B" (CW) (coldwater aquatic life): streams or lakes that support trout and associated aquatic communities
• Class "B" (WW) (significant resource warmwater): lakes or rivers which support warmwater game fish and associated aquatic communities, including sensitive species
• Class "B" (LR) (limited resource warmwater): streams which support limited aquatic life populations primarily composed of minnows and other nongame fish species
• Class "B" (LW) (lakes and wetlands): artificial impoundments and natural lakes with lake-like conditions that support warmwater game fish and associated aquatic communities

C. Drinking Water (Class "C") uses: Rivers or lakes designated for Class "C" uses are protected as a raw water source of potable water (suitable for drinking).

For more information on designated uses, follow this link: Designated Uses

High Quality (HQ) waters:
Waters with exceptionally better quality than specified by Iowa water quality criteria and with exceptional recreational and ecological importance. Special protection is warranted to maintain the unusual, unique or outstanding physical, chemical, or biological characteristics that these waters possess.

High Quality Resource (HQR) waters:
Waters of substantial recreational or ecological significance that possess unusual, outstanding or unique physical, chemical, or biological characteristics that enhance the beneficial uses and warrant special protection.

There are many other provisions noted in the Water Quality Standards that further describe the requirements in protecting the general and designated uses. These provisions include the antidegradation policy (*.pdf file), critical low streamflows, mixing zones, and zones of initial dilution. For further information on any of these provisions, please contact Lori McDaniel at 515-281-8094 or lori.mcdaniel@dnr.iowa.gov.

If you wish to view the current Water Quality Standards, please follow this link: Chapter 61: Water Quality Standards. (PDF File)