TPWD 1964 F-7-R-12 #940: Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region I-A: Limnological and Game Fish Problems, Buffalo Springs Lake, Job Completion Report

JOB COMPLETION REPORT As required by FEDERAL AID IN FISHERIES RESTORATION ACT 'TEXAS Federal Aid Project No. F-7-R-12 Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region I-A Job No. D-3 Limnological and Game Fish Problems Investigation on Buffalo Springs Lake Project Co-Leader: George G. Henderson, Jr. J. Weldon Watson -Executive DirectOr Parks and Wildlife Department Austin, Texas Harion Toole _ Eugene A. Walker D-J Coordinator Assistant Director for Wildlife August 9, 1965 ABSTRACT In 10 months of 1964, 39,085 fishermen paid to fish at Buffalo Springs Lake near Lubbock. Season passes were bought by 714 people. One thousand and one fishermen were interviewed about their catches. They caught 3,915 fish totaling 1,107.25 pounds. A computed 176,642 fish weighing 52,375 pounds or 232.74 pounds per surface acre were removed from this lake in 1964. A contour map was completed and the vegetative growth affecting fish populations is outlined in this report. The bottom type was not mapped but it has a thick layer of black muck over most of the bottom. Benthos and plankton studies were not undertaken. Forage production was studied by seine sampling and stomach analysis. Water quality was studied extensively and many datavmre gathered but no certain answers were obtained. Fish died when exposed to a toxic layer of water which developed in the spring of the year and shifted readily up or down during the summer. Large physical and chemical changes occurred quite rapidly in the upper lake when rains occurred. Detrimental effluent from city storm drains, sewage disposal plant, dump grounds, and from industrial plants in Lubbock entered the lake. Game fish did not reproduce in the lake in 1964. Dissolved gases, hydrogen sulfide and ammonia nitrogen, were always present in copious amounts in the toxic layer when it was present. The pH rose to 9.0 in the fall of the year and dissolved oxygen levels fluctuated widely up and down each day of the year. Numerous fish died from unknown causes. (Believed to be from the stresses applied by the above mentioned factors reducing their resistance to diseases already in the population). Dead fish contained DDT and its metabolites in moderate quantities but not enough to be the cause of death. General cleanup of the watershed to produce better water quality is needed. The thermal stratification should be broken up to prevent formation of the toxic zone. Accelerated control measures should be applied to the sago pondweed, beginning earlier and removing decaying weeds more quickly. A drastic reduction of the bullhead and bluegill population after the water quality and weed problem are overcome would allow the deve10pment of,exce11ent game fishing in the lake. JOB COMPLETION REPORT State of Texas Project No. F-7-R-12 Name: Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region I-A 'Job No. D-3 Title: Limnological and Game Fish Problems Investigation on Buffalo Springs Lake Period Covered January 1, 1964 - December 31, 1964 Objectives: General: To correlate game fish productivity with physical, chemical and environmental factors present in Buffalo Springs Lake. Specific: 1) .To map accurately by contour, vegetation, and bottom type. 2) To determine benthos, plankton and forage production. 3) To determine water quality as related to fishery maintenance. 4) To measure productivity of game fish as demonstrated by survey and fisherman harvest. 5) To determine what levels of dissolved gas, pH, and temperature exist in this lake seasonally. . 6) To chart fish location and relative pepulation density in the lake at specific localities at variousrtimes of the year. 7) To make bacterial counts on the lake water. Procedures: Mapping The bottom contours of the lake were mapped using a sonic depth determining device where water was deep enough for its use. A transect across the lake was established between known points on a map. By careful observation this transect was established on the lake. Timed runs were made with a motor boat on these transects. Depths were recorded at 5- or lO-second intervals depending on boat , speed and then plotted on the transect on a map. These soundings produced known depths and like depths were'connected'with'cOntour.lines. The final copy of the map was produced by an engineering firm in Lubbock. Vegetation Plants of each type were gathered and classified to the extent permitted by personnel and literature available. Most plants are classified to genus unless they are quite common and easily recognized. Attention was only given to submerged plants and aquatic plants which were quite obvious on the water's edge because time to carry the study further was unavailable. A plant hook was used in an attempt to bring plants up from depths where collection by hand was impossible, however, no plants occurred at these depths. Circuits of the lake in a boat were conducted to observe the extent and type of vegetative growth and changes in areas occupied by plant growth. Bottom Type Bottom types were not mapped due to lack of-time and equipment. Observations indicated a heavy muck over the majority of the lake bottom. Benthos and Plankton Benthos studies were not made this year due to lack of time and equipment. No equipment was ever made available for accurate plankton analysis and this phase of the study is lacking. Neither zooplankton nor phytoplankton were examined. Forage Production Forage production was measured by seine samples and stomach analysis of predacious fish species taken by gill nets. Seining was done with 40-foot one- fourth inch mesh seinea and with 20-foot onemeighth inch mesh seines. Water Quality Water quality analysis was conducted in the field and in the laboratory. All water samples were collected with a Kemmerer water sampler according to standard collecting procedures. Depth of sampling was determined by a 12—inch pulley and a revolution counter. Line was held on a metal storage Windlass. Subsurface temperatures were taken by pouring water from the Kemmerer sampler into a Styrofoam bucket and taking the temperature with a thermometer. Dissolved oxygen samples were collected and fixed in the field, using Bach's packaged dry chemicals, and titrations were run in the laboratory. Carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide concentrations were determined in the field using the Hash method. Turbidity was measured in the field with a Secche disk and a Jackson turbidimeter was used in the laboratory. Measurements of pH were made with a Hellige comparator in the field and in the laboratory. Facilities for determining Biochemical Oxygen Demand (B.0.D.),dissolved solids, ammonia nitrogen, nitrate, nitrite, and sulfate contents were not available at Slaton. In order to obtain this information, samples were sent to the State Health Department Laboratory in Austin. od- State Chemist Charles Ezell traveled to Buffalo Springs Lake twice and conducted chemical analyses in the field. Water temperatures were determined at 3-foot intervals from the surface to the lake bottom in two locations. These measurements were made once a week beginning July 28, 1964, and are presently being continued. While temperatures were being determined, samples were taken to determine pH and turbidity at the surface, mid, and bottom depths. The depth where hydrogen sulfide occurred was also noted. “ Measurements of water flow into and out of the lake were made once a week beginning in August. These measurements were made by timing a floating cork, with an x-shaped aluminum vane suSpended about 24 inches below the cork, through a culvert of known length and volume at the lake entrance. The vane was approxi- mately 4 by 5 inches in width and depth. Outflow was measured by obtaining average stream width and depth to obtain volume. Rate of flow was obtained by timing a floating twig over a measured distance in several areas to arrive at -an average. Embody’s formula was then used to determine flow figures. Productivity Game fish productivity was measured by seining, gill nets, and fisherman harvest by creel census. \ Fish location and relative pOpulation density in the lake at Various times of the year were derived by comparison of total catch in the different netting zones by nets and by fishermen. Original plans included the use of fish traps to capture fish for marking to avoid the injuries which are sustained in gill nets. Two types of traps were tried and abandoned because they caught too few fish. Study of the fish pOpulation was therefore conducted by netting, seining and visual observations. Nine regular netting stations were established and netted once a month during the last week of the month. This report covers data from March through October except for the month of September when the program was interrupted to aid in the rotenone treatment of Lake McClellan. Single units of standard survey gill nets were used at all stations except No. l where 2 units of standard survey gill nets were set. The nets were fished submerged along the bottom contours in most areas. Examination of the contour map will reveal the depths of areas where nets were set. Nets l and 3 were attached to buoys about 100 feet from shore. All nets were set per- pendicular to the shoreline except number 8 which was set at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the shoreline pointing downstream. Fish which were in good physical condition when removed from the nets were marked by punching holes in their fins with a one-hole paper punch. Fish taken from not No. 1 were marked by punching one hole in the caudal fin. Fish from net No. 2 were marked by punching one hole in the dorsal fin, and fish from other nets were marked by punching holes in other fins or combinations of fins. This method of marking was used until tagging equipment became available in August. After the tags were available all largemouth bass (MicroEterus salmoides), carp-goldfish hybrid (Cyprinnus carpio crossed with Carassius auratus), crappie (Pomoxis annularis), white bass (Roccus chrysops), black bullheads (lctalurus _ melas), and channel catfish (lctalurus punctatus), which appeared strong enough to survive were weighed and measured before being tagged and released. Sunfish were not tagged unless they were unusually large. Those fish which appeared too weak to survive were kept and autOpsied for sex, weight, length, parasites, and stomach contents. Beginning in May, seining with 20-foot and 40-foot seines was done in conjunction with netting surveys in an effort to capture young—of-the-year game fish; Visual observations of areas where nesting of game species might occur were made each time project personnel were at the lake. In addition to incidental observations, circuits of the lake were conducted*in a boat with the specific purpose of locating spawning areas and nests. Creel Census Creel censuses were conducted twice a month on a non-scheduled basis. When time was available a census was run. A State vehicle was parked beside the road with a sign approximately 50 feet away from the truck, in the direction from which traffic was coming. The sign read, ”Fishermen Please Stop". All fishermen who stopped, whether successful or not, were questioned about the bait they were using, the length of time they had fished, the area of the lake where they fished, and' if they were successful, their catch was examined. Examination was done by separating species and weighing and counting individuals of like species. No lengths were taken. At first, voluntary creel census cards were devised and handed out at the entrance gate to all fishermen entering the lake. These forms requested the same basic information as was obtained by the personal interviews. Fishermen were asked to deposit these cards in a box, at automobile window height, as they left the lake. Results were so uncertain that this method of sampling creels was abandoned. Bacterial Study Dr. Kuhnley, a bacteriologist on the staff of Texas Technological College 'in Lubbock was contacted in an attempt to obtain c00perative aid in this phase of the study. He advised against this phase of the study because techniques for obtaining the wanted information are not entirely reliable. In his opinion the information desired would not produce tseful data and no qualified individual was available to conduct a study. Findings: Vegetation Water Quality Criteria, page 304, Section e, ”Fish and other Aquatic life", states: "Algae can be severe pollutants to fish in two respects: (a) they can An! cause heavy fish mortality through direct poisoning or (b) they can be responsible for oxygen imbalance, thereby killing fish through oxygen depletion or oxygen supersaturation of the waters.” This phase of possible cause of fish mortality has been ignored and should be investigated because algae growth is at times profuse in the lake. Two vegetation surveys were conducted on Buffalo Springs Lake. One survey was conducted May 28, 1964, after the saga pondweed (Potomogeton pectinatus) first appeared. Sago pondweed is the major plant affecting fish pepulations in the lake. Table l is a checklist of plants from Buffalo Springs Lake. Table 1. Checklist of Plants Obtained in Buffalo Springs Lake, May 28 and July 21, 1964. Common Name §gign§ific Name Sago pondweed Potomogetgg pectinatus Bulrush Scirpus validus Sedge Scirpgs americanus Sedge Scirpgs sp. Cattails Typha latifolia Eel grass Eleocharis sp. Dock Rumex sp. Willow Salix sp. Grasses (undetermined) Gramineae Weeds (undetermined) Compositae (majority) Horsetail Eguisetum fluviatile Sago was growing where the water depth was restricted to 5 feet or less. The growth was new and few plants were mature enough to flower in May. Figure 1 illustrates the approximate extent of sago growth in May. Plants found along the shoreline, listed in their order of abundance were terrestrial grasses (Gramineae), weeds (mostly Compositae), rushes (Scirpus ‘ americanus, Scirpus validus, and another Scirpus Sp.), cattails (Typha latifolia), dock (Rumex Sp.), willow (Salix Sp.), and horsetail (Eguesetum fluviatile). Only those aquatic plants sufficiently abundant to be easily observed are included. None of the plants listed were profuse except sago pondweed. Much of the shoreline along the upper lake is mowed and plant growth is suppressed. The second survey on July 21 revealed the same species present. Sago pond- weed had spread greatly in most areas and was so dense that an outboard motor could not be operated in it. 'The extent of the Spreading is outlined on the map in Figure 2. Areas covered are approximated from visual observations. No direct measurements were attempted. No further surveys were condudted specifically to determine plant type.or abundance. Observations of the extent and nature of plant growth were made incidental to the monthly surveys of the fish pepulation. .. . I . _ n .1“. .fl _ amt“ I Cram ensues... l . ._ ...- - germs”. _ it . _ .\ 022575 Esme u ESE ease. . I moi. 80.8 28 Emma mm. memo 10 3.. Shoe _ 1...!!! fix u—urm-u / a}- In August the entire upper end cf the lake, from the culvert at the west end ' of the lake to the first fishing dock on the north shore, became choked with sago pondweed except for a small channel which is outlined as dashed lines on the map in Figure 2. Lubbock County Water Control and Improvement Dietrictho. 1 has an aquatic plant mowing machine and in mid-July began mowing the sago pondweed. Mowed plants drifted to the shore and were removed, dried, and burned. Mowing Operations began in the lower lake to allow freedom of movement of water skiers and progresSed to the upper lake. Areas where mowing suppressed growth of sago pondweed are noted in Figure 3. Mowing allowed easier access by fishermen. The mowed sago was cut at approximately 3 feet below the water surface and remowed as regrowth occurred. These plants provide dense cover for small fish which allows overpOpulation by fish species of small average size. The large percentage of bluegills in the fish.p0pu1ation is a partial reflection of the dense growth of sago pondweed. The Sago pondweed remained abundant in the lake in areas noted in Figure 2 until mid-November when it began regressing. By the middle of December the lake appeared void of submerged plants. ' This introduces a second manner of affecting the fish pepulation. The dead plants use oxygen for decay, release organic wastes into the lake and provide additional chemical pressures for the fish to withstand.' The pH readings became quite high, ranging from 8.8 to 9.0 throughout the lake in the fall.. Water Quality It is certain that this annual growth and die off of sago pondweed adds to the water quality problems of the lake. State Health Department records were utilized to determine the average quality of the surface water entering Buffalo Springs Lake during 1963. Table 2 contains the averages of readings as calculated for three different sites. Site 1 was at 50th Street, site 2 at the entrance to Buffalo Springs Lake, and site 3 was at the Dam. These averages do not indicate the extreme fluctuations which occurred during the year. They do indicate, however, the conditions which must exist in a lake which receives this borderline quality water. Table 2 Average Water Quality at Sites 1, 2 and 3 From State Health Department Records for 1963. Site 1 Chlorine Ammonia . Total H' Sulfate Demand B.0.D. Nitro en Nitrite Nitrate' Alkalinit 7.99 356.09 7.33 5.88 0.43 0.37 31.24 369.04 Site 2 8.43 417.64 8.38 6.44 1.80 0.22 0.98 322.88 At Dam Site 3 8.72. 328.00 7.44 3.32 0.59 <20.l 0.36 249.55 During 1963, Leuter's Feed Lots were permittingrun-off from their cattle pens to enter the upper V-8 Ranch lake, an impoundment on the Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos River above Buffalo Springs Lake. The V-8 Ranch lies between Lubbock and Buffalo Springs Lake. This ranch has four lakes impounded on this stream, ranging from an estimated 30-acre lake down to a 5—acre (or less) lake.