Water Quality Standards

Antidegradation refers to federal regulations designed to maintain and protect high quality waters and existing water quality in other waters from unnecessary pollution. For further information please visit the Antidegradation web page.

Under Iowa's Water Quality Standards it is presumed that all perennial streams and rivers are attaining the highest level of recreation and aquatic life uses and should be protected for activities such as fishing and swimming.  A Use Assessment and Use Attainability Analysis (UA/UAA) is a process of gathering field data and assessing the available information to determine if a stream is capable of supporting the highest level of recreation and aquatic life uses, and if not assign a more appropriate recreational and aquatic life use classification.

Assessing Iowa Stream Uses Fact Sheet
Fact sheet explaining UA/UAAs and Designated Uses

Surface Water Classification Document
Rule Referenced Document containing a list of Designated Stream in Iowa and their use classifications.

Use Assessment/Use Attainability Analysis Search
This database provides the opportunity to view the department's recommended use designations and supporting information.

Assessment Protocols:
Warm Water Stream Use Designation Protocol
Cold Water Protocol
Recreational Use Assessment and Attainability Analysis Protocol

Help us assess Iowa's streams: take the survey
The DNR is asking for your input on how you recreate in Iowa's streams as we complete recreational assessments on streams in the state. Please take our online survey to list the streams you use, what activities you use them for and where you access the streams. The DNR will factor the results from the survey into its decision making for applying recreation-based stream designations to Iowa's waters. These assessments are part of classifying recreational stream uses in the state, and will help determine the appropriate level of protection for the stream.

US Environmental Protection Agency's Action Letter for Batch 4
Document containing EPA's review of Batch 4 UAA's.

DNR Contact:
Matthew Dvorak
515-725-8397
matthew.dvorak@dnr.iowa.gov

61.3(3) Table 1 and General Water Quality Criteria described in 61.3(2). Numerical criteria apply to designated waters and general water quality criteria are applicable to all surface waters including general use and designated use waters. The following documents share information about specific criteria.

Chloride and Sulfate Criteria

Iron

Copper Criteria Documents
Implementation Procedure for Copper BLM
Aquatic Life Ambient Freshwater Quality Criteria - Copper 2007 Revision (EPA-822-R-07-001), February 2007
Streamlined Water-Effect Ratio Procedure for Discharges of Copper (EPA-822-R-01-005), March 2001
Interim Guidance on Determination and Use of Water-Effect Ratios for Metals (EPA-823-B-94-001), February 22, 1994

DNR Contact:
Connie Dou
515-725-8400
Connie.Dou@dnr.iowa.gov

Under the Clean Water Act, a state shall from time-to-time hold public meetings for the purpose of reviewing applicable water quality standards and, as appropriate, modifying and adopting standards. See Chapter 61: Water Quality Standards. This review includes but is not necessarily limited to: Designated Uses, Criteria, and Antidegradation.

The state of Iowa is beginning its next triennial review period (2018-2020). As part of that process, the DNR is holding public hearings for the public to voice their opinions on the DNR's water quality standards priorities during the triennial review period.

• 2018-2020 Triennial Review Announcement

Linked below are documents relating to the current Triennial Review for Iowa's water quality standards.

2015-2017 Triennial Review Documents:

• 2015-2017 Triennial Review Work Plan
• 2015-2017 Triennial Review Work Plan Brief

DNR Contact:
Matthew Dvorak
515-725-8397
matthew.dvorak@dnr.iowa.gov