TPWD 1956 F-5-R-3 #251: Inventory of Species Present in Lake J. B. Thomas near Snyder, Texas

SEGMENT COMPLETION REPORT TATE OF TEXAS Project No. F5R3 Name Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region 3nB. Job No. BmlO Title Inventory of Species Present in Lake J. B. Thomas near Synderz Texas. . Period Covered: June 22, l95h - May 12 1256 ABSTRACT Lake J. B. Thomas increased by about thirty percent during the 1955 — 56 period. Fiftyeman days work at the lake included fifteen seining collections,sixteen gill net collections, and seven water analysis collections. All of the principal game species and many desirable forage species increased numerically and by percent. Reductions in yellow bullheads and river carpsuckers is regarded as favorable. Redhorse shiners had gained dominance over similar Species, and evidence of successful spawning activity was obtained. OBJECTIVES To determine the species present and their relative abundance and to determine the ecological factors influencing their distribution. PROCEDURE Sixty~nine gill nets were set at ten locations in the reservoir. Experimental nylon gill nets measuring 125 feet long by eight feet deep and made up in five, 25 feet sections were used. Mesh size for these nets increased progressively in each following section at half-inch intervals beginning with a one-inch mesh section and terminating with a three-inch mesh section. Fortymtwo seining collections were made at eight seining stations in the reser_ voir. In nearly all collections both 26 feet, fidiuiimesh bag seines and I5 feet, % inch common sense seines were used. To estimate relative abundance a count was made of all individuals taken in two hauls with a 26 feet % inch bag seine. In addition to this work, collections with h feet common sense 1/16 inch mesh fry seines were taken. Water analysis to determine dissolved oxygen content and the quantity of disw solved carbon dioxide was taken for each netting collection. Surface temperature, pH and weather conditions were recorded for each netting and seining collection. Turbidity was taken on six occasions. In netting collections, samples from each collection and for each species were weighed, measured and sexed. This work was done in the field. A scale sample was taken from a sample number of individuals for each species and stomachs containing food were preserved for laboratory analysis. [Similar work for seining collections included iden~ tification, weighing and measuring and preservation of all individuals whose identity was questionable in lO% formalin. WINDINGS Lake J. B. Thomas is located approximately 10 miles west of Ira, Texas. The 2. earth fill dam impounds the Colorado River an confluence. The structure was completed in S ruction Company of Dallas, Texas for the Upper Colorado River Municipal water District. The reservoir impounded its first water, about h,000 acre feet volume, in August 1952, and by July 1953 about 11,000 acre feet of water was in storage. ' ‘ ‘ ated on this job, in July 1951;, the lake 1| d Bull Creek about 2.5 miles above their eptember 1951 by Freeze and Nichols Const- 000 acre feet November of the same year, when the year's work was completed. The maximum.storage capacity for Lake J. B. Thomas is 220,000 acre feet and the reservoir has flood control potential for 255,000 acre feet. ‘ ' olorado River Municipal water District and is to be industrial requirements for Big Spring, Odessa and Snyder, Texas. The contributing water ’ within the Permian Basin, and soil t Average annual rainfall is 21.15 inches, avera minimum is #20F. Most of the watershed is uti western "Lamesa" area_irrigated and "dryland" surrounded by the lake; however these wells a pollution has been discovered. Drilling activity increased the original number to seven wells now producing in the innundatable area, and exploration continues. During the year no recordable turbidity was observed, total solids were about 150 ppm and pH was from 8.3 to 8.h. Minimum dissolved oxygen content recorded was 9.5 ppm, and the maximum carbon dioxide content recorded was 5 ppm. lized for ranching; however, in the north— farming is extensive. 'Four oil wells were re adequately protected and no evidence of AQUATIC VEGETATION Except algae and minute pelagic forms there is no aquatic vegetation in Lake J. B. Thomas. FISH POPULATIONS There was a notable incre ass in number and condition of virtually all fish populations during the year. ' As shown in the following charts 1,907 individuals represent- Game Fish - In game Species probably the most increases were for white bass {Roccus chrysops) and flathead catfish (Pylodictus olivaris), and the only species not Lepomis exhibiting rapid increases were sunfishes ). Southern channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus} improved in condition. Species of Questionable Benefit - indicated decreases were yellow bullheads vennstus), mosquitofish (Gambusia) and riv The only populations where data obtained (Ictalurus natalis) spottail shiners (Notropis er carpsuckers iCaEpiodes carpio). Important Forage Species - Redhorse shiners (Notropis lutrensis) had apparently gained dominance over similar species. The high ratio of mosquitofish was being reduced, and gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) were increasing. REMARKS In the spring of 1955 extensive fish kills were observed in the reservoir. Principal species effected were gizzard shad, river carpsuckers, and white crappie. A v largemouth bass were also killed at that time. The reason for these kills was not clearly established; however oil sludge had escaped during drilling activity on the north shore of the lake. Final data for this survey is being prepared for the final year's work at this time and in order to conserve time and other duplication of information in that report no additional analysis is included at this time. k r Prepared by Lawrence S. Campbell - Approved by azufuLaw¢, ,4, Project Leader Chief Aquatic Biologist Date April 8 1957 ' “M r. 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