TPWD 1972 F-4-R-18 #1477: Region 2-A Fisheries Studies: Pollution Studies, Job Progress Report

JOB PROGRESS REPORT * As Required by FEDERAL AID IN FISHERIES RESTORATION ACT TEXAS Federal Aid Project No. F-h-R-lS REGION 2—A FISHERIES STUDIES Job No. C-l: Pollution Studies Project Leader: Charles T. Menn Clayton Garrison Executive Director Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Austin, Texas L. J. Peters Chief of Inland Fisheries December 14, 1972 Robert J. Kemp, Jr. Director, Fish and Wildlife _ my .. . .I. I...I..rl.t...ll.llll JI11uflIL|.|I1.l.I JIIIIIII. iii llil. 114.1111.“ idling i. 1.]. $111 4.. .3- ”Jill? Htfll I .. 1th.“?! 1? 1.1.“ 1.311.qu “ I. .. I. . ..I.I‘Ir| Illl. lil.l..1 ul~ . 11. ll‘. 1111.4. £11.41...” JJIIJJJIJIIdinIfl“ .uI4liI1lI‘IAI..1 I‘l‘III. .I...I1i. ....... . .. ...._ .p...- .. n.. .. . .._.\..I..» no.1..." .mrinfllrn . . if. Job Progress Report State of Texas Project No. F—4~R-18 Name: Region 2-A Fisheries Studies Job No. C-l Title: Pollution Studies Period Covered: _January 12 1971 to December 31, 1971 Objective: To determine the source and nature of natural or man-made pollutants which affect fish populations in the public waters of Region 2-A. Procedures: Reports of fish kills and suspected pollution were investigated. Efforts were made to determine the nature and source of any pollutants by using appropriate water analysis methods. If fish kills had occurred, estimates of damage to the fishery were made, including analysis of Species affected. When necessary, findings were reported to appr0priate enforcement agencies for further action. Results and Discussion: Conners Branch A small lake, created by deposition of sand by the Brazos River, at the mouth of Conners Branch in Young County, experienced a fish kill during the early part of January 1971. The kill was reported January 28 and investigated on January 29. Discussion with residents near the lake revealed that dead fish were first noticed on January 14. Residents also reported that the lake was frozen over for two days prior to January 14. Because the kill had occurred for such a long period of time and a majority of the fish were badly decomposed, the relative abundance of species were not com- piled. Approximately 95 percent of the fish killed were made up of rough fish. The water quality analysis indicated a very high chloride content. This accom- panied with rapid temperature fluctuation and high turbidity of the water were considered the primary cause of this kill. Brazos River and Palo Pinto Creek _____________________u__fl_n______. On February 25, 1971 a fish kill was investigated in the Brazos River south of Mineral Wells below the bridge, on U.S. Highway 281, in Palo Pinto County. The kill occurred in a 2.5 mile section of Palo Pinto Creek, a tributary of the Brazos River, and a nine mile section of the Brazos River. The section of Palo Pinto Creek affected extended from the small dam near Brazos, Texas, to the Brazos River. The section of the Brazos River affected extended from the Texas and Pacific Railway bridge downstream nine miles, with the greatest concentration of dead fish occurring near the mouth of Palo Pinto Creek. Dead and dying fish were collected from both the Brazos River and Palo Pinto Creek. The fish were found to be heavily parasitized with the protozoan ciliate, Ichthyophthirus multifiliis ("Ich"). An extensive check for other parasites, including bacteria, were made but ”Ich” was the dominate species parasitizing the fish. Dr. George Klontz, of Texas A&M'University, assisted project person- nel in the check for parasites. The epizOotic of "Ich" had its greatest affect on the gizzard Shad pOpulation. Other fish in the area were found to be infected with ”Ich" but not to the extent that the Shad were. An estimated 12,000 fish of seven species were killed. Ap- proximately 90 percent of the fish killed were gizzard Shad and freshwater drum. The remaining 10 percent were made up of river carpsucker, channel catfish, white bass, bluegill, and largemouth bass. It is postulated that this infection had its origin in the slower flowing Palo Pinto Creek. From there it Spread to the Brazos River and included the other Species of fish in the area. The initial stress which stimulated the epizootic of ”Ich” was not determined. Several factors were considered as possible contributors, these are: l. The low volume of flow of the two streams due to insufficient rain. 2:‘ Rapid temperature fluctuations of the water due to changing climatic conditions prior to the kill. 3. An increase in the contrast of the chemical characteristics of the water of Palo Pinto Creek with the Brazos River. 4. A possible over-crowding of the fish in the deeper waters of Palo Pinto Creek. Any one, or any combination of the above could have caused a stress on the fish which increased their susceptibility for an epizootic of ”Ich”. Salt Creek A fish kill occurred in a one mile section of Salt Creek and a one mile section of the Brazos River, two miles south of Graham, Texas, in Young County. An estimated 500 fish of the following Species were killed: 1. Gizzard Shad 5. White bass 2. Carp 6. Green Sunfish 3.. River carpsucker ,7. White crappie 4. Flathead catfish 8. Freshwater drum The kill occurred at the junction of Salt Creek with the Brazos River. Both streams had reduced flow due to insufficient rains. Situated on the reach of Salt Creek, approximately three miles upstream from the Site of the kill, was the effluent of the Graham Sewage Plant. This effluent supplied a higher organic load than the two streams, in their reduced state, could compensate for. A North Fork of the Bosgue River A fish kill occurred in the North Fork of the Bosque River, four miles west of Iredell in Bosque County, on April 24 and 25, 1971. An estimated 1500 fish were killed. All Species of fish known to be present in the river were affected by this kill. The kill was investigated on April 25, ported. Fish were Still dying in the area during the investigation. Water This was the apparent cause of the kill. A Game Management Officer was successful in finding the person reSponSible for the application of rotenone to the river. The person was found guilty in court and was fined $500. Lake Arrowhead On April 27, 1971, a fish kill in Lake Arrowhead, in Clay County, was investigated. The severity of this kill was considered light. An estimated 500 fish of the following Species were killed: channel catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, white crappie and freshwater drum. April 29, 1971. The lake warden reported that a total of five flathead catfish all weighing approximately forty pounds, had died over a Six week period. A frozen Specimen was obtained from the lake warden and taken back to the Fort Worth office for further investigation. hood marks, or any lesions of any kind. posed, and the lack of proper equipment, no further investigation of this fish could be made. An effort to catch additional Specimens was made but was unsuc- cessful. No other Species of fish were affected. Trinity River A fish kill was investigated in the Trinity River, in Fort Worth, on May 18, 1971. The kill originated near the outfall of a local utility company and extended ap- proximately one mile downstream. An estimated 1500 fish of 10 Species were killed. Officials of the suSpected utility company indicated that a solution used to clean their boilers, had accidently been released into the river prior to the kill. The kill was caused by the toxic affect of this solution. The company took corrective action to prevent any further release of such toxic chemicals. Paluxy River On July 10, 1971, a fish kill was investigated in a one mile section of the Paluxy River in Hood County. The kill originated just below the bridge on Rock Church Road. An estimated 1200 fish of 11 Species were killed. All indications were -4- that the river had a fish toxicant added to it. This was not reflected in the water analysis, but the investigation was made approximately three days after it had occurred. The stream showed no evidence of any other pollution. Stroud Creek A fish kill occurred in Stroud Creek, one mile north of Granbury in Hood County. The kill was investigated on August 1, 1971. A one mile section of the creek was affected. An estimated 500 fish of Six Species were killed. The creek appeared to be receiving some type of organic nutrification. A feed lot was located approximately two miles upstream from the area where the fish kill occurred. Water samples taken during the investigation revealed an oxygen concentration of 0.5 mg/l. This was the apparent cause of the kill. Texas Water Quality Board personnel were notified and corrective actiOn was taken. An Investigation of the Effects of a Gravel Dredging Operation on the Fisheries in the Brazos River Anyone desiring to remove sand and gravel of commercial value from any lake, river, or creek, must apply for a permit from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Com- mission. If the Commission finds that the taking, carrying away, or disturbing of the sand and gravel in the designated territory would not damage or injur- iously affect any of the fish inhabiting waters, it may issue a permit. In December, 1970, a request for a permit to remove sand and gravel from the Brazos River was made by an individual in Hood County. All the requirements for the procurement of a permit were met by this individual and a permit was granted. After a brief check, it was found that little data is available re- garding the effects of Such a gravel Operation on Texas rivers. Because of this lack of information, it was decided to make a Survey of the effects this gravel operation will have on the fisheries in the area. The Brazos River has two sand and gravel plants situated on its reach in Hood and Somervell Counties. The plants will be designated as gravel plant #1 and #2. M. Gravel plant #1 is located one.mile above the Hood, Somervell County line. The plant obtained its permit in January of this year, but because the plant is not fully completed, it has not been in Operation during the year. Gravel plant #2 is located four river miles below the Hood, Somervell County line. The plant has been in full Operation Since July of this year. The Opera- tion consist of the following: 1. The sand and gravel is extracted from the river by two draglines situ- ated on an island in the middle of the river. In the process of dredging, the island has been extended considerably. 2. The draglines load the sand and gravel into pit trucks which haul it from the island across a bridge to the processing plant. 3. The sand and gravel is unloaded at the processing plant where it is washed, Sized, and stacked. 4. The water used for the washing is obtained from the river and, after being used, is cycled through a settling pit and returned to the river. Procedures: Four stations were selected for study. Station I was located three river miles above gravel plant #1 and 19 river miles below De Cordova Bend Dam. Station II was one mile below gravel plant #1. Station III was located five miles below gravel plant #1 and directly below the dredging operation of plant #2. Station IV was located 14 miles below gravel plant #1 and nine miles below gravel plant #2. Station I was located in a Slight riffle area on the east Side of Abby Bend. The Substrate consisted of approximately 99% sand with a Small amount of pebbles along the edge of the SOuth bank. ‘The only vegetation seen in the area was Najas'sp. and Cladthora §E,. Aquatic macrOphytes were restricted from the area because of the continually Shifting sand. The maximum depth of the area varied from 0.5 to 3.5 feet and the average width varied from 85 to 250 feet. The width and depth varied with releases from Lake Granbury. Originally Station III was located on the north Side of an island which divided the river into three channels. Station III was located in a riffle area in the first channel on the north side. The Substrate of this riffle area consisted of gravel and rocks. The maximum depth varied from 0.5 to 3.0 feet and the width varied from 10 to 18 feet. The velocity of the water varied from 1 to 5 ft./ sec.. During the winter months, there was a large amount of Cladthora g2. covering the substrate. During August and September, draglines extended the length of the island in both east and west directions. In the process of doing this the river channel was changed. The original three channels were reduced to two and the largest volume of water was flowing through what was Station III. The depth and width of the station was increased and the original substrate was changed. Station IV was located approximately 500 feet downstream from a bridge on U.S. 67. The substrate consisted of gravel and medium—sized to large rocks. The width varied from 125 to 300 feet and the maximum depth varied from 1.0 to 2.6 feet. The velocity varied from 1 to 5 ft./Sec.. Macroinvertebrates were collected monthly with a Suber square foot bottom sampler. Seven samples were taken at each of the fodr stations. A Special effort was made to sample throughout the width of the sample station so as to give a cross section of the river. These samples were pooled and washed through a U.S. No. 30 Standard Sieve. The sieved residue was placed in a jar and a pre- servative added to cover the entire sample. Two preservatives were used during the year; 80 percent alcohol and a malachite green-formalin solution. A sugar flotation method was used in sorting the organisms from the debris (Lackey and May, 1971). Organisms were identified to thegenera level where possible and enumerated. Pennak (1953) and Hilsenhaff (1970) were the references used to key the organisms to genus. Representative Specimens were sent to Dr. Kenneth W. Stewart and Dr. Sidney W. Edwards for assistance with taxonomy. The width and depth of the Stream at each sampling station was recorded and the type of substrate was noted. The volume of flow and the rainfall received in the area was obtained through the courtesy Of the Brazos River Authority. The air and water temperatures were measured with a standard Centigrade thermom- eter. Water samples were collected at each sampling station and returned to the lab- oratory for the following analysis: pH, turbidity, specific conductivity, oxygen, carbon dioxide, alkalinity, Silica, chlorides, and settleable solids. The regional chemist assisted project personnel in the taking and analyzing the water samples. The fish pOpulation was sampled by the use of a back-pack electroshocker and a twenty foot seine. Results: Sampling of the river was initiated in January, 1971, in an effort to collect sufficient data before the gravel dredging Operations started. Sampling was conducted on a monthly basis and a total of seven months of data was collected before gravel plant #2 started its Operations. All of the data collected below gravel plant #1 could be considered preOperational because of their limited efforts during the year. Physicochemical Data Table I Shows the results of the water quality analysis taken from the four sample stations during 1971. As indicated in this table, all of the physioco- chemical components checked, did not vary Significantly between Stations for each sample date, except turbidity. Turbidity increases at Stations II, III, and IV were noted in June, July, and August. These increases were partly due to the deposition of sediments from rainfall run-Off and stream bank erosion caused by the high volume of flow, see Table iFI andlfljg The Operations of the two gravel plants can account for some of the increases at Station II and III. Higher turbidities were recorded at Station III during November and December. This increase can be attributed directly to the dredging and washing Operations of gravel plant #2. The higher turbidity was localized in the area below the Operations and extended for only a Short distance downstream. Benthic Organisms The relative density of benthic macroinvertebrates for each sample station for each sample date is shown in Table IV. AS can be seen, there was considerable fluctuation in the density of organisms between sample stations. This can be attributed to the difference in the size of substrate sampled at each sample station. It has been found that large rocks provide better niches for the smaller insects Such as diptera, trichOptera and ephemerOptera larvae, (Kennedy, 1967.) Considerable fluctuation in abundance of the benthic macroinvertebrates from one date to another was noted. These fluctuations can be attributed, in part, to sampling methods, emergence of aquatic insects, normal reproduction of Species, Hmvwm H n wmmcwnm om firm amnmn ncm44nw momwwmwm unamn 0005 0:0 moon meauwm mnmnwonm on firm wumNOm W4<ma acnwnm 4004. IIiIiIIiIiIIIiIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIiIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIiIiIIIIIIIIIiIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIiIIIII: HmBanmncnm mvmnwmwo memowdmm >me4434nw mmnnmmvwm Umnm mnmnwon >40 memu Houvwmwnw om mongoonmnom oxwmmn new meow CON mm 0H Zennmu Howw % on on _ med 5530\05 B \H fimmfl. B \H B \H B \H B \H B \H E \H 4 40 0.0 0 0.0 0000 44.4 00 40 440 0.0 0.0 000 .0.00 44 40 0.0 0 0.4 0400 44.0 00 00 440 0.0 0.0 000 0.00 4\00 444 40 40.0 40 0.4 0000 40.0 00 00 440 0.0 0.0 004 0.00 40 40 40.0 44 0.0 0000 40.0 400 00 400 0.0 0.0 000 0.00 4 40 40.0 0 0.0 0000 40.0 400 0 440 0.0 0.0 000 0.00 44 40 40.0 40 0.0 0400 40.0 400 40 400 0.0 4.0 000 0.00 0\0 444 40 40.0 44 0.0 0004 40.0 400 40 440 0.0 0.4 000 0.00 4< 40 40.0 0 0.0 4000 40.0 404 40 400 0.0 0.0 000 0.00 4 04 40.0 44 - 0000 0.0 400 00 400 - 0.0 000 0.00 44 00 40.0 40 - 0000 40.0 400 00 00 - 0.0 000 0.00 0\00 444 40 40.0 40 - 0004 0.0 00 00 400 - 0.0 000 0.00 40 00 40.0 44 - 0000 0.0 00 00 400 - 0.0 004 0.00 4 00 00.0 0 - 4000 0.0 440 0 440 - 0.0 000 4-0.00 44 04 00.4 40 - 0400 40.0 400 0 440 - 4.0 004 0.00 0\00 444 04 00.0 40 - 4040 0.0 440 0 440 - 4.0 000 0.00 4< 04 00.0 0 - 4000 0.0 440 0 400 - 0.0 000 0.00 4 00 00.0. 40 - 0000 0.0 400 00 00 - 4.0 000 0.00 0\40 44 00 00.0 40 - 0000 0.0 400 0 400 - 4.0 004 0.00 444 00 00.0 0 0.0 0040 0.0 400 0 00 0.0 4.0 000 0.00 40 00 00.0 40 - 0000 0.4 440 0 00 - 4.0 000 0.00 4 00 00.0 0 0.0 0000 0.0 00 0 400 0.0 0.0 000 0.00 44 00 00.0 00 0.0 0000 0.0 400 0 440 0.0 0.0 000 0.00 0\00 444 00 04.0 00 0.0 0000 0.0 400 0 00 0.0 0.0 000_ 0.00 4< 00 00.0 00 0.0 0000 0.0 440 0 400 0.0 0.0 000 0.00 4 00 00.0 0 0.0 ,4000 0.0 440 0 00 4.0 - 000 - 44 00 00.0 00 0.4 000 0.0 440 0 00 4.0 - 000 - 0\40 444 00 00.0 400 0.0 000 0.0 440 0 00 4.0 I 000 - 4< 00 - 400 0.0 000 0.0 - 0 400 0.0 - 000 - .IIIuIuinm:IIIimmwIInmwmwuIIIumM1IaIimwwIIImm0mwIIIIII0wmIIImwI:IImIIIHmmIIImwmrlnmwwlauwwmnllumwmwisu 44 00 00.0 400 0.4 4000 0.0 00 0 00 4.0 4.0 000 0.00 0\00 444 00 04.0 00 0.0 0000 0.0 400 0 00 4.0 4.0 000 0.00 4< 00 00.0 00 0.0 4000 0 0 400 0 00 4 4 4 0 000 0.00 Hmvwm H Anon_dv WmmcHnm om mom genes ncmwwnw mnmwwmwm moans 0005 0:0 moon mchHm mfimnwonm on firm WHmNOm Wwdmu nonwom 4004. llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll HmavmanCum mvmowmwo memowdmo >mewwnwnw mmnmmmvwm Umnm mnmnwoo >40 Senna Hauvwmwnw cm condonnmoom oxwmmn now meow OON m4 OH Zmnnmn Houw % on CBUo\oB B \H flmmn. B \H B \H a \H B \H Bm\H Bm\H 4 00 00.0. - 0.0 0000 0.0 00 0 400 0.0 - 44 00 00.4 - 0.0 0000 0.0 00 0 00 4.0 - - - 0\0O 444 00 00.0 - 0.0 0000 0.0 00 0 00 0.0 - - - 40 00 00.0 - 0.0 0000 0.0 00 0 00 0.0 - - - 4 00 04.0 - I 0.0 0000 0.0 00 0 400 0.0 - 000 - 44 00 04.0 - 0.0 0000 0.0 00 0 400 0.0 - 000 - 44\4 444 00 00.0 - 0.0 0000 0.0 400 0 400 0.0 - 000 - 40 00 00.0 - 0.0 0000 - - 0 400 0.0 - 000 - 4 40 40.0 0 0.0 0000 40.4 00 0 400 0.0 0.0 000 0.00 44 40 40.0 0 0.0 0040 0.0 00 0 400 0.0 0.0 000 0.00 44000 444 40 40.0 00 0.0 0000 0.0 00 0 440 0.0 0.0 040 0.00 40 40 40.0 0 0.0 0040 40.0 00 40 400 0.0 0.0 040 0.00 4 40 40.0 0 0.0 4000 40.0 00 0 440 000 0.0 000 0.00 44 40 40.0 0 0.0 4000 0.0 00 0 400 0.0 0.0 000 0.00 40\04 444 40 40.0 40 0.0 4000 0.0 00 0 400 0»0 _ 0.0 000 0.00 40 40 40 0 0 0.0 4000 0.0 00 0 400 0.0 0.0 000 0.00