(1956–1957) Basic Survey and Inventory of Species, as well as Their Distribution in the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River, its Tributaries and Watershed Within Childress, Hall, Brisco, Ar

--- Page 1 --- JOB COMPLETION REPORT State of TEXAS Project No. F-7-R-4 Name: Fisheries pan See GSS ee and Surveys of the Waters of Region 1-B. a See a ay Job No. B-11 Title: Basic Survey and Inventory of Species sent, as well as Their Distribution in the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River, its Tributaries and Watershed Within Childress, Hall, Brisco, Armstrong, Randall and Deaf Smith Counties, Texas. Period Covered: June 1, 1956 through May 31, 1957 ABSTRACT Twenty-one seine collections produced a total of 9,975 specimens for study. Twelve species, representing 4 families of freshwater fishes, were found in the river. The most abundant species are Cyprinodons which have no economic value, not even as a bait species. Except in headwater tributaries, and impoundments where the water quality is good, the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River is valueless for game fish at the present time. It is often dry and always too shallow to maintain a game fish population. Since the water is not suitable for municipal or irrigation purposes, the construction of an impoundment on the river in the foreseeable future, for any purpose other than flood control, is unlikely. OBJECTIVES To gather fundamental data on the above waters in regard to their physical, chemical and biological aspects. To determine the distribution of the fish species present, their relative abundance and the ecological factors influencing their distribu- tion. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Dr. Walter Dalquest, whose employment with the Texas Game and Fish Commission terminated in October, 1956, set up the original stations, conducted all of the lab- oratory work and most of the field work on this job for the first 5 months. Since that time, Dr. Dalquest has helped with some phases of work conducted in Region 1-B and has checked the manuscript of this report. Grateful acknowledgment is also ex~ pressed to Dr. Carl Gray, Soils Scientist of Midwestern University and Wichita County Water Improvedment Districts, for making the numerous water analyses during this study. Data on water volume were obtained from Mr. John Joerns, United States Geological Sur- vey, Water Resources Branch, Wichita Falls. Game Warden Cal Lovelace of Vega, served as a guide during the survey of the upper reaches of the Palo Duro and Tierra Blanca Creeks. TECHNIQUES Sample stations were established at five points along the length of the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River. Ten collections were made at each sample --- Page 2 --- station during the study. At each station, chemical and physical data concerning the water were taken, and seine samples of the fishes present were preserved in formalin for laboratory examination and identifications. Since an adequate picture of the fish population at all points along the river could be determined by seining, no gill nets or fish toxicants were used. There are no important permanent-flowing tributaries of the Prairie Dog Town Fork; however, basic survey collections were taken from eight of its tributaries at a time when water was present. On several occasions, data could not be obtained from some of the stations because the river was dry. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS The Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River received its first designation as "river" in extreme south-central Armstrong County, where Palo Duro Creek emerges from the Palo Duro Canyon. Palo Duro Creek originates in northwestern Deaf Smith County and continues westwardly to its confluence with Tierra Blanca Creek about 3 miles north- east of the city of Canyon, in Randall County. There it enters the head of Palo Duro Canyon and runs southeastwardly across Randall County, cuts across the southwest corner of Armstrong and northeast corner of Brisco Counties, and continues eastwardly across Hall and Childress to the extreme northwestern tip of Hardeman County. At this point, the Prairie Dog Town Fork loses its designation as a tributary, becomes the Red River, and serves as the boundary between Texas and Oklahoma. The westernmost extension of the Prairie Dog Town Fork is the tributary, Tierra Blanca Creek, which originates in extreme southwestern Deaf Smith County and continues eastward and northeastward to its confluence with Palo Duro Creek in Randall County. Tierra Blanca Creek serves as a drainage for northeastern Parmer and extreme northwestern Castro Counties, in addition to the southern section of Deaf Smith County, where the stream bed is located. The greatest length of the Prairie Dog Town Fork is approximately 200 miles, and it has a drainage area of about 8,200 square miles. There are no impoundments on the main Prairie Dog Town Fork. Several small impoundments are present on both Palo Duro and Tierra Blanca Creeks. At least 3 small dams are located on Palo Duro, and 6 on Tierra Blanca before their conjunction. In ad- dition to these small artificial lakes, Buffalo Lake, an impoundment of 1,875 surface acres, is located on Tierra Blanca Creek, 3 miles south of Umbarger, in Randall County. Downstream from the convergence of these two tributaries, a series of 3 Palo Duro Coun- try Club Lakes is located on the main stream of Palo Duro Creek, and several others are located on the smaller canyon tributaries below. Since time did not permit a sur- vey of all these tributary impoundments, this study was confined primarily to stetions along the stream, beds of the Prairie Dog Town Fork system. Some of the impoundments discussed above have been worked, however, and information concerning them is given in previous reports (F7Rl, Job E-1; F7R3, Jobs B-9, B-4, E-1; and F7R4, Job B-9). Palo Duro and Tierra Blanca Creeks originate in, and for some distance flow through, shallow Quaternaty sediments consisting of Recent prairie soils. Down-cutting is slight, and the creek beds in their uppermost reaches are scarcely three feet below the prairie surface. A few miles west of Umbarger, gradient increases and the creeks eut down through white, Pliocene caliche beds for some distance. At Buffalo Lake, Palo Duro Creek is rimmed by white cliffs over 100 feet in total height. At the head of Palo Duro Canyon, the combined creeks plunge over the caprock. The effect is virtually a waterfall over 1,000 feet deep. White Pliocene sediments of Hemphillian age form the upper part of the gorge, but these soft rocks, mostly caliche, --- Page 3 --- have eroded several hundred yards back from the creek except in its upper (higher) parts. The bulk of the "drop-off" is formed of the harder Triassic rocks of the Docum group. Vertebrate fossils, mostly sterospondylous amphibians and phytosaurs, are common in these rocks. The floor of the canyon is made up of clays, sandstones and silts of the Double Mountain Group of Permian formations. These sediments contribute much ef the dissolved mineral load of the Prairie Dog Town Fork. East of Palo Duro Canyon, the bed of the Prairie Dog Town Fork lies entirely in Permian sediments. The river bed is rimmed with sands and some shifting dunes of Recent age with, locally, some moderately extensive Pleistocene deposits. Age of these Pleistocene deposits remains to be determined, but Sangamon correlation seems likely at this time. Just north of the Prairie Dog Town Fork are found some deposits of early Pliocene (Clarendonian) age. The Triassic sediments are missing east of Palo Duro Canyon, and the succession is: Permian, early Pliocene (locally), late Pleistocene (locally) and Recent. The U. S. Geological Survey discontinued its station on the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River in 1954. Therefore, stream flow and run-off dataare not available for the period of this survey. Data is available for the monthly and annual mean dis- charge and the monthly and annual run-off at various stations between 1924 and October, 1954. (See Tables 1 through 8). DESCRIPTION OF STATIONS CANYON STATION. Located on Palo Duro Creek at the Highway 87 crossing, just north of the city of Canyon. Stream does not flow here except during periods of rainfall. Station located in narrow, wooded valley that was dry for 8 months during the segment. When water was present, the bottom mud was contaminated with hydrogen sulfide, and the water was too stale to support fish life. This is the uppermost permanent station on the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River. PALO DURO CANYON STATION. Located at the first river crossing in Palo Buro State Park. The stream bed is narrow, about 50 feet wide. The valley is about 1 mile wide and 1500 feet deep. The river is all in Permian sediments. Immediate banks of the creek are of sod and sand. The stream is intermittent here. During most of our visits the water was in pools separated by dry sand. The bottom consisted of pool sand and mud with cobbles of various sizes. TURKEY STATION. Located about 13 miles north of Turkey on Highway 70. The valley is broad, flat and shallow, in Permian rock. Along the sides of the river are cottonwoods and saltcedars with cliffs containing Permian sediments. The river bed is approximately 400 feet wide here, with flood marks 6 feet above the present level. It is a braided stream, of sand and quicksand. This station was dry 6 of the 10 months during the study. NEWLIN STATION. Located at Newlin, or about 3 miles north of Estelline, on Highway 287. There is a broad valley here cut into Permian rocks of sandstone, silt and gypsum, partially covered with numerous vegetated sand dunes. A thin Pleistocene gravel layer lies between base of sand dunes and Permian rock, exposed where the river has cut through the dunes. The river bed is broad, about 100 feet, of braided sand and mud. There is evidence of flooding 10 feet above present level. This station was ary 8 of the 10 months of study. --- Page 4 --- CHILDRESS STATION. Located 83 miles north of Childress. ‘The valley is very broad with gentle slopes, partly concealed by moving and brush-anchored sand dunes. Exposed rock is Permian (shale, sandstone and gypsum). The river is broad, sandy and braided with shallow water that generally shifts from side to side. Banks are mostly cut into sand dunes with thin bed of firm gravel, probably Pleistocene in age, because fossil land snails were noted in the area. Running water was present every time the station was worked. DESCRIPTION OF ADDITIONAL BASIC SURVEY STATIONS TIERRA BLANCA CREEK AT HEREFORD. (June 14, 1956). This is the highest point on the creek for permanent water. Actually, the creek is dry above here, but this is the point at which the sewage effluent of the town of Hereford enters. The water is treated, well areated, of good quality, and green with algae. ca. na. el. sok co3 heo3 Total pH 210 110 87 211 ) 512 1130 ~ HEAD OF PALO DURO CREEK. (June 14, 1956). ‘This is the actual head of Tierra Blanca Creek, and therefore, head of the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River. The station consisted of a small pond formed by damming the creek valley. The valley lies in a meadow and is hardly a swale, cut not more than a foot into the surface earth. Ducks and frogs are very abundant on the pool. Seining produced anostracans, notostra- cans, and even chonchostracans, but no fish. These arthropods indicate temporary water. The town of Vega is due north of this station. Physical Data: Air Temperature - 80; Water Temperature - 86; ‘Turbidity - 35. ca. na. el. sok co3 heo3 Total pH 58 2 6 fe) 0 152 218 . PALO DURO CREEK 8 miles south and 2 miles west of Weldorado. (June 14, 1956). The creek valley here is cut into the prairie soil only about four feet and to a width of about 35 feet. There are several pools over knee deep, but the local game warden stated that it was usually dry. Seining produced only one bullhead that probably escaped from a farm pond. The water is gray and turbid. Physical Data: Air Temperature - 84; Water Temperature - 75; Turbidity - 35. ca. na. el. so} 203 heo3 Total pH 54 2 0 fe) ) 128 184 - PALO DURO CREEK 11 miles south of Weldorado. (June 1, 1956). Conditions here are very similar to those given immediately above. A small pool was found under the bridge, but seining took only arthropods and turtles. No fish were present. Physical Data: Air Temperature - 81; Water Temperature - 79; Turbidity - 35 ca. na. el. sok co3 heo3 Total, pH 58 3 2 2h fe) 1h9 236 r --- Page 5 --- PALO DURO CANYON CROSSING NUMBER 4. (June 14, 1956). This is the last cross- ing of Palo Duro Creek in Palo Duro Canyon. Conditions here are very similar to those at the regular station, but the bed of the creek is broader and more sandy. There are numerous small pools, and a few broad but shallow pools. The bottom is sandy. No fish were taken by seining. Physical Data: Air Temperature - 97; Water Temperature - 88; Turbidity - 110 ca. na. cl. so} co3 heo3 Total pH 908 720 78 2116 ak 88 3934 ss MULBERRY CREEK. (June 12, 1956). Located about 3 miles northeast of Turkey station, this is a large creek, almost as large as the main river. The valley is broad, and the creek bed is braided sand. There are deep pools along the northern edge of the creek where the fish collection was made. ca. na. el. sok co3 heo3 Total pH 918 160 204 2074 O 238 3594 - Fish Collection: N. lutrensis - -- 2 Hybognathus - - - 11 Fundulus - - - - - 36 This station was sampled again May 24, 1957, during a period of light rain and following a period of very heavy rain on the watershed. Nothing was taken in swift running water on the south side of bridge. All specimens were taken on the north side of bridge in long pools of standing water. Physical Data: Air Temperature - 65; Water Temperature - 64; Turbidity - 140. ca. na. el. sot co3 heo3 Total pH hho 132 195 975 6 110 1858 7-90 Fish Collection: WN. lutrensis - - - 10 Hybognathis - - - 25 MEMPHIS CREEK. (June 12, 1956). This is a small, swift, clear creek in a deep, vegetated valley just south of the town of Memphis. Bed is clean sand and rocks. Gypsum boulders are also present. ca. na. el. sol co3 heo3 Total pH 1126 156 214 2518 0 262 4278 - Fish Collection: N. lutrensis ---- 30 Gambusia affinis 6 Lepomis megalotis 1 --- Page 6 --- 6. LAKEVIEW CREEK. (June 12, 1956). A small, swift stream in a valley 50 feet wide, of clear, white sand. The water is shallow and stream gradient high. ca. na. el. sok co3 heo3 Total pH 788 99 103 1820 0 177 1987 ws Fish Collection: Fundulus kansae only. CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF WATER The chemical nature of the water at the sample stations is given in Table 9. According to the analyses, the water quality of the headwater tributaries is good and should support all species of freshwater fish. Downstream from Palo Duro Station, the water becomes "gypy" and salty. Total salts become progressively higher downstream, suggesting that sub-surface springs are present in the river bed. These springs probably originate from the Double Mountain and Blain formations of the Texas permian. Although running water was present throughout the year at Childress Station, only four species of fish were present. All were salt tolerant species. Cyprinodons and Fundulus were present each time the station was worked. Only twice were the other two species found (Hybognathus and_N. bairdi), and they were taken on visits made following heavy rains which diluted the total salts (see Table 9, Childress Station). PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF WATER Physical conditions at the sample stations are shown in Table 10. Twenty-eight of the fifty stations worked during the study were dry. Only Childress Station had run- ning water throughout the year. Except in periods of rainfall, the water in the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River is clear. For the purpose of this survey, turbidity was measured with a sichi disk. Measurements were made in the deepest water found at each station. Normally, the disk was clearly visible on the bottom, in which case the tur- bidity was recorded as the depth of the water "plus". FISH COLLECTIONS A total of 12 species, representing 4 families of freshwater fishes were taken rom the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River during the segment period. Monthly variations in species and numbers of fishes taken at each of the sample stations are given in Tables 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15. The total numbers of fishes taken at all of the permanent stations are given in Table 16. There were 9,975 specimens collected from the three permanent sampling stations, 71.6 percent of which were taken at Childress Station, the only permanently flowing station in the system during the study. Family Cyprinidae Shiners and Minnows Notropis potteri: chub shiner. A total of 20 specimens was taken, all at Newlin Station, in May 1957, immediately following a flood. --- Page 7 --- Notropis bairdi: Red River shiner. Although not numerous (0.82% of the total) this species was represented at every station (where water was present) at least once during the study. It was taken one time at Palo Duro, Turkey and Newlin Stations (June 1956), and twice at Childress Station (June 1956 and May 1957). Each occurrence followed heavy rain which flooded the river. Notropis lutrensis: redhorse shiner. This species is abundant in the fresh, headwater tributaries of the Prairie Dog Town Fork, but absent from the river except during and immediately following rises. bognathus placita: plains minnow. Present in headwater streams. Absent from the river except during periods of rainfall. Pimephales promelas: fathead minnow. Taken only at Palo Duro Station. Plen- tiful in Buffalo Lake and small impoundments of headwater tributaries. Pimephales vigilax: parrot minnow. Taken at Palo Duro each time the station was worked and water was present. Also present in creeks above Palo Duro. Not found in the river. Family Ameiuridae Freshwater catfishes Ictalurus punctatus: channel catfish. Two specimens were taken at Palo Duro Station from an isolated pool in the creek bed. This species is plentiful in the head- water tributaries and ponds, but absent from the river. Ictalurus melas: black bullhead. Two specimens were taken at Childress Sta- tion following the flood. Abundant in headwater tributary ponds. Family Cyprinodontidae Killifishes and topminnows Fundulus kansae: plains killifish. This species is widely distributed throughout the system. It was taken at every station as well as the headwater tributaries. Cyprinodon rubrofluviatilis: Red River pupfish. Comprising 69.5% of the total collection, this salt tolerant species was the most abundant of all fishes in the Prairie Dog Town Fork. Absent from Palo Duro Station and headwater tributaries, but present in all river stations where water was present. Family Centrarchidae Black basses and sunfishes Lepomis cyanellus: green sunfish. Taken only at Palo Duro Station. Abun- dant in headwater streams and impoundments. Lepomis megalotis: longear sunfish. Taken only at Palo Duro Station, on two occasions. Also recorded from Buffalo Lake and other smaller impoundments on the watershed. --- Page 8 --- 8. Following is a list of fishes that were not taken in the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River, but have been recorded from Buffalo Lake and other smaller impoundments on the headwater tributaries: Dorosoma cepedianum: gizzard shad Carpiodes carpio: river carpsucker Cyprinus carpio: carp Carassius auratus: Goldfish Phenacobius mirabilis: suckermouth minnow Notropis percobromus: plains shiner Notropis girardi: Arkansas River shiner Pylodictus olivaris: flathead catfish Gambusia affinis: gambusia (common mosquitofish) Micropterus salmoides;: largemouth bass Lepomis macrochirus: bluegill Lepomis humilis: orangespotted sunfish Lepomis auritus: yellowbelly sunfish Pomoxis annularis: white crappie Percina caprodes: logperch Roccus chrysops: white bass. This species is not native to this area. It is being experimentally introduced into Buffalo Lake as an additional sport species, as well as a predacious species to aid in the control of gizzard shad and other rough fish (F-7-R-3 and F-7-R-4, Job F-1). ' —_ Prepared by: Leo D. Lewis Approved by: OLE EEO es rs Project Leader Chie? Aquatic Biologist Date: July 26, 1957 --- Page 9 --- 9. Table 1. Monthly and Yearly Mean Discharge at Gage Station Above Buffalo Lake. Year Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. March April May June July Aug. Sept. Annual 1938 - - - - - - - ~ ~ - - - - 1939 - “ “ . “ - - - - - - - - 1940 - us 0.86 1.69 1.47 1.01 1.00 0.59 0.05 - ~ - 2 1941 - 0.06 - 13 35 OL 59 386 38 30.0 3.90 10.5 70.9 19h2 27 14.6 6.61 4.00 4.00 864.75 =610.8 2.95 2.49 5 8.73 15.6 27.2 1943 13.2 2.20 8.01 2.94 2.56 2.34 3.17 3.36 1.35 BL .02 - hah 19h - .20 1.35 1.73 1.54 1.3% 1.12 95 19.6 1.02 1.01 41 2.50 1945 27 54 se 1.44 1.62 1.39 1.20 Ah a . 38.3 32 3.95 1946 1.24 Th 1.16 1.95 153% 41.36 Ty .28 - - - 8. 34 1.40 1947 66.5 2.31 2.06 2.42 1.97 2.31 1.71 47.6 4.18 A .02 - W162 1948 - - AT 6h 1.39 1.15 AT 57 as i - 54 1.03 .66 1949 - .O1 21 .58 1.06 -83 1.38 162 22.9 5.47 1.00 80 16.6 1950 88 1.18 1.56 1.52 1.69 1.38 1.23 34 2.27 70.4 6.71 23.1 9.45 1951 5.05 2.22 2.18 2.2h 2.95 1.95 1.55 191 12.6 2.52 AL .18 19.0 1952 43 87 1.29 1.54 1.70 1.35 2.54 1.35 1.03 9.67 OL - 1.82 1953 - Ve OT 1.02 .88 95 20.6 he .O1 - 2.85 56 2.36 1954 89.7 1.55 99 1.09 1.01 Pe is -75 29.6 108 5.75 o46 .O1 20.1 Note: All discharge is measured in cubic feet per second. --- Page 10 --- "Jeez a10e UL painsvoll SF JO-uMrl [Ty +e40N OS SAT g° 62 HSE 0S4*9 ogg ‘T ny th 9S 19 T9 Z6 02S *S HS6T OTL ‘T HE SLT - +" 92 «=«0ea*T 6S 64 €9 09 ez - €S6T OEE fT a 9° G6S 19 €g TST €g 96 S6 0g rAd Lg ZS6T ood, ET Tt Ge SST TS, o€L ‘TT 26 O@T HOT SET HET ZET TTE TS6T one ‘9 Oge ‘T ETH Off St Set Te el, Se) +6 46 96 ol 4S OS6T OTO‘ST or 2 9ee O9€ ‘T 096 ‘6 zg TS 6S 9€ €t +’ - 6n6T LLY T9 ce * ZOT GE 92 ol, og 6€ 62 S - Qu6T 0s0g 7 O'T OT 6ne 0€6‘2 Zot 2HT 60T 64T L2t LET 0606 t Ly6T 0Z0‘T 96% “ = Lt On TL GL OZT ad, va OL QH6T 09@ fz 6T og9€*2 - - LZ TL 68 06 gg od, AS LT Gr6T 0z@ ‘T 42 AS) AS) OLT*T QS L9 rae) 68 SOT €g aT - h6T oLofe “ tT Geo 08 Log 69T HT HT TQT C64 TEL ST ES6T oL96T 926 LES TE QyT TET THO 262 eee 942 Loy TLE OLT‘ST SH6T 062° TS 149 ORZ OLY o90f9g 6oGL‘€a GE 9S 6T £1, ) gre ~ THET = 3 e'é 9€ 09 29 He HOT €S - ° On6T * = " ” - * - = = = = “ - 6£6T ss = ve - - - - © a 4 * 7 " QE6T eee Tenuvy ‘adeg *Sny Atoge oun Loy ryady yore dar “ue ‘oaq * AON "290 rea Tanqypryuoouou ATqeqord St seTTW erenbs OOG‘*T YoTUM jo seTTw arenbs ¢)o*e “eare eseuteiq) ‘oye OTergng Saoqe uotyeqg eSep ye Fyo-uny ATreex pues ATyQUOW *g eTqRy, “OT --- Page 11 --- ll. Table 3. Monthly and Annual Mean Discharge, Approximately 15 Miles Above Palo Duro Canyon Station. Drainage area, about 3,369 square miles of which about 2,658 square miles is probably noncontributing) Year Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. March April May June July Aug. Sept. Annual 192k - - - “ 16.1 17.7 11.2 9.06 4.00 37-3 6.68 2.32 - 1925 0.40 0.56 1.04 4.90 6.48 3.82 5.18 2.93 12.5 20.5 31.0 31.7 10.1 1926 13.7 5.79 3h 3.95 3.23 2.80 2.80 26.0 30.6 19 225 - 7.87 1938 - - ~ - - - - 43.0 1.70 .02 Ob - ~ 1939 =: 19h - - 1.06 “ 7 ec) ae 21.0 -1l 3.06 “ 2.60 1940 - - - - ~ - - 16.6 - ~ - - 1.41 1941 - - - - - - - 30.6 537 38.6 2.77 .12 50.2 192 4.32 48.0 8.23 7.99 6.26 6.65 9.02 4.65 5.4 57 - - Wy 3 1943 9.39 2.28 2.62 2.70 2.66 2.82 2.67 . 82 mp Ee 26.7 .O1 - 4 US 19h. - - .02 1.52 1.16 1.26 64 .03 Lw73 ai0 50 ‘LT 2.36 1945 - 003 «15 32 58 .29 38 .05 - - 1.82 - 30 1946 - - - - - - - - - - - “ “ 1947 84.5 1.34 s21 sk? re) o15 47 55.9 1.29 - - - 12.2 1948 - ws = = ai wi ws = _ as 3.04 4.37 .68 19h9 25 12.8 .08 19 26 1.68 65 48.6 40.6 32 38 4.73 9.23 Note: All discharge is measured in cubic feet per second. --- Page 12 --- 12, Table 4. Monthly and Annual Run-off, Approximately 15 Miles Above Palo Duro Canyon Station. Drainage area, about 3,369 square miles of which about 2,658 square miles is Year Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. March April May June July Aug. Sept. Annual 192k - - - - ge. 1,090 664 557 238 2,290 411 “138 - 1925 2k. 33.1 63.9 301 360 235 308 180 745 1,260 1,900 1,880 7,290 1926 B45 344. 267 2h3 179 172 167 1,600 1,820 48.6 15.3 - 5,700 1938 - - - - - - - 2,640 161 1.4 2.4 n =" 1939 119 - - 65 - - 258 - 1,250 6.7 188 - 1,890 19h0 - - - - - - - 1,020 - - - - 1,020 1941 - - - - - - - 1,880 31,930 2,370 170 si. 36, 360 19h2 26,560 2,860 506 4O1 348 4O9 537 286 32 35 - - 32,060 1943 577 136 161 166 148 173 159 51 6.3 1,640 .6 - 3,220 19h). - - 1.4 93 66 78 38 2.0 103 1,290 31 10 1, tO 1945 - 2 8.9 1.9 32 18 22 3.4 - - Le - 216 1946 - - - - - - - - - . - - -" 1947 5,200 80 13 11 2.2 9.1 28 3,440 TT - - - 8, 860 1948 - - - ~ - - - - - - 236 260 “496 1949 15 762 5.0 12 1h 104. 39 2,990 2,20 20 23 282 6,690 Note: All run-off is measured in acre feet. --- Page 13 --- 13% Table 5. Monthly and Annual Mean Discharge at Turkey Station. Drainage area, 5,972 square miles of which 4,479 is probably noncontributing) Year Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. March April Mey June July Aug. Sept. Annual ote lain eR 1939 - - - 7.57 - - - - 186 12.3 Lhd - =n 1940 - - w “ - - 22.3 61.6 41.6 - 21.5 78.8 18.7 1941 8.00 102 - - Ol 7.ho 11.0 307 1,231 188 125 80.9 171 1942 1038 100 28.5 9.75 1.29 12.6 43.3 3.41 48 22.0 91.2 43.0 122° 1943 350 277 36.2 7.76 ~ - 132 147 TH .9 82.6 - 15.3 71 y 1944 - - 16.5 21.43 7:85 3.17 - 32.9 51.6 - - - - 19h9 - - - - - - - - - - - 176 - 1950 12.8 - - “ - - ay 28.0 82.3 384 81.0 239 69.3 1951 1.11 05 ira 3.07 1.78 .20 .20 103 87.3 8.63 = ~ - Note: All discharge is measured in cubic feet per second. nn ns --- Page 14 --- 14. Table 6. Monthly and Annual Run-off at Turkey Station. Year Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. March April May June July Aug. Sept. Annual 1939 - - - 466 - - - - 11,080 756 8,840 =: - 1940 - - - - - - 1,330 3,790 2,470 - 1,320 4,690 13,600 1941 hoe 6,060 - - 6 455 657 18,900 73,250 11,590 7,700 4,810 123,900 1942 63,80 5,950 1,750 600 72 Th 2,580 210 2,860 1,350 5,610 2,560 88,160 1943 21, 5h0 165 2,230 477 - - 7,830 9,020 4,460 5,080 - 908 51,710 19h “ a 1,010 1,310 452 195 - 2,020 3,070 - - - ~ 1949 - - - - - - - - - - - 10,500 = 1950 786 - - - - - 9.9 1,720 4,900 23,590 4,980 14,190 50,180 1951 68 3.0 45 189 99 12 12 6, 320 5,200 531 - - - Note: All run-off is measured in acre feet. --- Page 15 --- 15. Table 7. Monthly and Yearly Mean Discharge at Newlin Station. (Drainage area, 7,293 square miles of which 4,769 square miles is probably noncontributing) Year Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. March April May June July Aug. Sept. Annual 1924 - - - 35.5 5.09 75.4 1.26 - 0.63 174 809 1.58 =" 1925 52h 4.60 - 2.69 .O1 - 50.2 227 73.2 361 1690 99h. 330 1938 - - - - 13.5 43.9 0.02 280 794 92.2 26.0 126 - 1939 20.4 - - 61.0 - - 5:17 16.2 183 16.8 121 - 36.3 1940 - - - - - ~ 49.8 55.3 45.8 - 238 171 46.7 1941 39 akg 34 .06 6.49 13.9 164 148° 2959 4.82 ake 108 413 1942 1359 84.5 64.2 12.3 2.05 1b.h 410 6.92 33.2 30.5 63.7 28.1 178 1943 606 8.56 28.3 7.31 20 - 146 200 127 272 - 1:93 118° Lobb - - 13.8 16.8 5.63 8.32 - Ou.7 162 117 7.19 4h 8 33.3 1945 72.8 10.4 102 15.1 4.00 23.3 97-9 13.4 25.9 172 45.9 13.4 50.2 1946 1.16 - - 52 6.67 .32 . 22.9 150 aya 176 251 50.5 1947 1967 49.1 89.5 9.18 - 1.69 156 1023 406 14.6 - - 314 Note: All discharge is measured in cubic feet per second. --- Page 16 --- 16. Table 8. Monthly and Yearly Run-off at Newlin Station. Drainage area, 7,293 square miles of which 4,769 square miles is probably noncontributing Year Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. March April May June July Aug. Sept. Annual i CE i ee, 1924 - - - 2,200 293 4,640 75.0 - 37.5 10,700 49,800 93.8 - 1925 32,200 274 - 165 4 - 2,980 13,900 4,360 22,200 104,000 59,100 239,000 1938 - - - - 750 2,700 1.2 17,190 47,270 5,670 1,600 7,520 - 1939 1,260 - - 3, 750 - - 307 993 10,910 1,030 8,oh0 ~- 26,290 1940 - - - - - - 2,960 3,400 2,730 - 14,620 10,190 333,900 1941 ah 14,810 21 3.6 361 854 9,750 45,990 176,100 29,640 14,860 6,450 298,900 1942 83,560 5,030 3,950 755 114 883 24,400 426 1,980 1,880 3,920 1,670 128,600 1943 37,230 509 1,740 4g 11 - 8,700 12,320 7,530 16,750 - 115 85, 350 1944 - - 851 1,030 32h 512 - 1,520 9,650 7,180 he 2,660 2h.,170 1945 4,480 617 6,280 931 22 1,430 5,830 821 1,540 10,550 2,820 797 36, 320 1946 val - - 32 370 19 - 1,410 8.900 4h 10,790 14,910 36,550 1947 120,900 2,920 5,500 565 - 104 9,270 62,920 24,180 900 - - 227, 300 Note: All run-off is measured in acre feet. --- Page 17 --- Table 9. Chemical Nature of the Water at the Sample Station. Total Date Calcium Sodium Chloride Sulfate Carbonates Bicarbonates Salts CANYON STATION 6/14/56 86 30 36 a ae 250 426 8/13/56 ary 9/2h/56 ary 10/21/56 dry 12/6/56 dry 1/17/57 dry 2/18/57 ary 3/12/57 dry 4/12/57 dry 5/22/57 46 16 17 ) ) 162 ahi PALO DURO STATION 6/14/56 Thy. 116 ks 1810 0 201 2916 8/13/56 66). 150 57 1670 fe) 201 e7he 9/24/56 792 156 107 1987 6) 120 3162 10/21/56 ary 12/6/56 dry 1/17/57 dry 2/18/57 18 111 ko 96 12 132 hog 3/12/57 ary 4/12/57 3h6 132 36 975 6 90 1585 5/23/57 598 105 65 L411 0 192 2371 TURKEY STATION 6/12/56 gah 2100 hehe 772 fe) 119 8157 8/13/56 dry 9/2/56 dry 10/21/56 ary 12/6/56 dry 1/17/57 dry 2/19/57 1998 10302 16090 3730 18 122 32260 3/12/57 dry 4/12/57 954. 13568 21034 1834 6) 420 37810 5/22/57 890 2835 4848 1368 15 1h2 10098 NEWLIN STATION 6/12/56 1552 3200 5156 3318 9) 125 13551 8/13/56 dry 9/24/56 dry 10/21/56 ary 12/6/56 dry 1/17/57 dry 2/9/57 ary 3/12/57 ary 4/12/57 dry 5/22/57 760 1764 3025 1286 18 120 6973 pH as! awn oO 8.60 7.92 7.75 1-95 --- Page 18 --- 18. Table 9. (Continued). CHILDRESS STATION 6/12/56 1248 6600 10029 =: 33125 ) 104 21106 - 8/13/56 250 24h0h8 = 36033 7473 fe) 116 70210 —- 9/24/56 2512 18090 23830 12322 fe) 252 57006 7.50 10/21/56 1024 9045 14342 960 48 312 25731 7.20 12/6/56 2284 19520 29997 5539 ) 150 57490 8.5 1/17/57 3108 20975 32882 6432 12 Lhd 63453 8.2 2/18/57 1912 16482 25649 267 12 61 48383 7.50 3/12/57 2208 19095 29998 4512 9 76 55898 7.50 4/9/57 2174 18291 30133 2520 9 14d 53271 =7.50 5/22/57 964 3851 6426 = 1330 6 396 12973 - --- Page 19 --- 19. Table 10. Physical Conditions at the Sample Stations. Date Air Temp. Water Temp. Turbidity (m.) CANYON STATION 6/14/56 86 “oe ho 8/13/56 dry 9/2h/56 dry 10/21/56 dry 12/6/56 dry 1/17/57 dry 2/18/57 dry 3/12/57 dry 4/12/57 ary 5/22/57 dry PALO DURO STATION 6/14/56 97 88 115 8/13/56 104 8h. 450 - almost dry 9/24/56 19 88 300 plus 10/21/56 ary 12/6/56 dry 1/17/57 dry 2/18/57 ary 3/12/57 dry : 4/12/57 46 55 500 plus 5/23/57 70 68 20 TURKEY STATION 6/12/56 95 68 35 8/13/56 dry 9/2k/56 dry 10/21/56 dry 12/6/56 dry 1/17/57 dry 2/19/57 43 41 400 plus 3/12/57 dry 4/12/57 34 43 310 5/22/57 86 82 100 NEWLIN STATION 6/12/56 90 72 110 8/13/56 dry 9/2h/56 dry 10/21/56 dry 12/6/56 dry 1/17/57 ary 2/19/57 dry 3/12/57 dry 4/12/57 dry 5/22/57 81 7H 60 --- Page 20 --- 20. Table 10. (Continued). Ns See CHILDRESS STATION 6/12/56 90 15 120 8/13/56 19 300 plus - very salty and low 9/2h/56 88 90 300 plus 10/21/56 67 64 ko - raining 12/6/56 64 53 350 plus 1/17/57 32 27 350 plus (Water frozen over except in rapid running stream) 2/18/57 5e L7 400 plus 3/12/57 81 61 400 plus 4/9/57 60 60 460 plus 5/22/57 TT 73 40 (Collections made following recent rains) --- Page 21 --- al. Table 11. Monthly Variation in Species and Numbers of Fishes at Canyon Station, Prairie Dog Town Fork. x Be HX HK es poor ik SG or % of Species 6/14 8/13 9/2k 10/2l 12/6 i/17 3/12 A /le 5/23 Total Total rrr tenses * - Water present, but no fish taken in considerable seining. ** - Dry x --- Page 22 --- 22. Table 12. Monthly Variation in Species and Numbers of Fishes at Palo Duro Station, Prairie Dog Town Fork. * * ¥ *% x“ of Species 6/14 8/13 9/2k lo/al 12/6 1/17 2/18 3/12 4/12 5/23 Total Total N. bairdi 2 2 sil N. lutrensis 36 691 11 5. 145 934 52.65 Hybognathus YL. 124 2h 159 8.96 P. vigilax Ta 120 3 158 2h 346 19.50 P. promelas 14o 11 151 8.51 I. punctatus 2 2 Pe F. kansae 27 ~—s- 36 56 27 146 8.23 L. cyanellus 1 17 21 5 2h 635 L. megalotis J, 9 10 56 Total 117 «(87315 538 231 1774 99.98 % of Total 6.6 49.2 .9 30.3 13.0 100.00 ee ee ee See $A --- Page 23 --- 23. Table 13. Monthly Variation in Species and Numbers of Fishes at Turkey Station, Prairie Dog Town Fork. *% *% * % Ea % of Species 6/12 8/13 9/2h 10/21 12/6 1/17 2/19 3/12 4/12 5/22 Total Total N. bairdi 5 5 64 Hybognathus 97 432 529 68.25 F. kansae 16 2 12 k 34 ae Te) Cyprinodon 8 hg 150 207 26.70 Total 126 51 162 436 775 99.99 epee perenne igs animate % of Total 16.3 6.6 20.9 56.2 100 .00 --- Page 24 --- ak. Table 14. Monthly Variation in Species and Numbers of Fishes at Newlin Station, Prairie Dog Town Fork. * * * ¥ ¥% ¥* * of Species 6/12 8/13 9/2h 1o/el 1/17 2/19 3/12 4/12 5/22 Total ‘Total N. bairdi 62 62 22.30 XN. lutrensis 1 2 3 1.10 N. potteri 20 20 7.20 Hybognathus LO 60 100 36.00 F. kansae 39 39 14.00 Cyprinodon 53 1 5h. 19.40 Total 195 83 278 100.00 % of Total TO.1 29.9 100.00 --- Page 25 --- 25. Table 15. Monthly Variation in Species and Number of Fishes at Childress Station, Prairie Dog Town Fork. of Species 6/12 8/13 9/2h 10/21 12/6 1/17 2/18 3/12 4/9 5/22 Total Total N. bairdi - 9 13 .18 Hybognathus 41. 176 187 2.62 i. melas 2 2 -03 F. kansae 103 31 16 Ul 28 4 6 45 2h 2 270 3.78 Cyprinodon hy 2hi 33 28 865 538 194% 1781 82 3 6676 93.39 Total 559 e72 ko 39 893 542 1950 1826 86192 7148 100.00 % of Total 78 3:8 «ff 5 12.5 7.6 27.3 25.5 11.5 2.7 99.9 --- Page 26 --- 26. Table 16. Total Numbers of Fishes Taken at Stations on The Prairie Dog Town Fork of Red River. Species Canyon Palo Duro Turkey Newlin Childress Total 4% of Total N. bairdi fe) 2 5 62 13 82 . 82 N. lutrensis 0 934 3 937 9.39 N. potteri 0) 20 20 -20 Hybognathus ) 159 529 100 187 975 9.77 P. vigilax @) 346 346 3.47 P. promelas @) 151 151 1.51 I. punctatus 0 2 2 -02 TI. melas ) 2 2 02 F. kansae 6) 146 34 39 270 489 4.90 Cyprinodon @) 207 5h 6676 6937 69.54 L. cyanellus @) ah 2h 2h L. megalotis 8) 10 10 -LO Total 0) 1774 715 278 7148 9975 99.98 % of Total 17.8 7.8 2.8 71.6 100.00 --- Page 27 --- 27: Palo Duro Canyon station showing isolated pool below creek crossing. This station was dry five of the ten times it was worked during the study. Turkey station following recent rains. This station was dry six of the ten times it was worked during the study. --- Page 28 --- Newlin station following recent rains. Water was found here only twice during the study. Railroad bridge in foreground was temporarily damaged beyond use by floods in May 1957. Childress station showing normal stream flow. 28. --- Page 29 --- 29. Mulberry Creek during a rise. This creek, which is dry except during rains, is as large as the north and south forks of the river at this point. --- Page 30 --- j ; i | MeorTreR | 1 ©€RAY } i ; i H Mu ’ FSidin amaeoayepenea —— NE ei — = we oy § _—=— U am — eee ee 7 Spee cary ee soe is ace tae | i DEA pak? rhe Chee x \ 1 BASING @ ! \ —Z IARAST DOoNML i ee, ( R ene} EY ICOLLINGS WoRTH | iff 4 (a) se 4 Aen { _ eS { 1 TERRE LS i mS — Tie Ce i ! L*\ 1 T ~7-- ee tA --- “s | { 4 a \ re ’ “e | ‘ ' 4 “© pos! 1 ! Rev popiace! boy ie i ; BRIS@oe |} SLES REO LER! <s . 6 @) ASTRO [SWISHER | Pcamoress | 1 ' : HALE ! ‘ i ! : | | = asa—2ce8 ee Se ae eee Ee ae saqt--------- Pe ne eee wn --4 * i] t : i a : * : | : | AL 8 ‘ \ r i t ! ° . oe ee a. : €o a aii LE* Sy > : ‘ MoTLey : 5 *s i] @CANYon STATION @ PAlLo Duro CANYON STATION TURKEY STATION NEw Zj STATION CHILORESS STATION