(1960) Fish and Wildlife Resources of the Brazos River Subbasin, Texas

--- Page 1 --- r og ed 0 KN UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE (INTERIOR mH ai Lv Coq FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE yt 4° | \pu ms ; Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildiife ye v Southwest Region Albuquerque, New Mexico FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES OF THE BRAZOS RIVER SUBBASIN TEXAS Repert Prepared by the Branch of River Basin Studies Albuquerque, New Mexico August 1960 --- Page 2 --- Memorandum Te: Regional Director, Region 5, Bureau of Reclama Amarillo, Texas From: Regional Director Subject: Brazos River Subbasin, Texas (BR) - Bureau of Fisheries and Wildlife Report DRAFT 8/3/60 tion, Sport Attached is our report on the fish and wildilfe resources of the Brazos River Subbasin of the Texas Gulf Basins. This report has been prepared to relate the problems of attaining reasonable fish and wildiife conservation and use to water-devel opment plans for this subbasin. A general inventory of the fis bh and wildlife resources of the subbasin together with presant and ex- pected future use of these resources are presented in the report. The problems affecting optimum development of the fish and wildlife resources are discussed, and possible solutions to thease problems @re advanced. The Intention of this report is to serye as an over-3!1 statemant preceding individual reports for water-development projects in this subbasin. Authority to conduct the investigation and to prepare this report is proyided by the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 48 Stat. “Ol, as amended; 16 U.S.€. 661 et seq. The Bureau of Sp Fisheries and Wildlife has coordinated this report with of Commercie! Fisheries. Tha Texas Game and Fish Comnis cooperated in this study and has concurred in the raport ort the Sureau sien has by letter --- Page 3 --- ce dated , 1960, signed by Executive Secretary H. D. Dedgen, copy of which is appended to this report. Praesent fishing needs by residents of the Brazos River Water- shed amount to about 3,540,000 man-days annually. Except in the lowar portion of the subbasin fishing facilities are adequate to take care of existing demands. By the year 2010, however, the demand for fishing opportunities is expected to rise to about 7,560,000 manedays annually, and additional facilities will be required to meat the naads of the subbasin. Present demands for marine sport fishing in the subbasin are greater than the habitat can Support, and many fishermen travel to other parts of the coastal area and the Gulf of Mexico associated with other subbasins. Sufficlent carp, buffalofishes, and freshwater drum are avai lable within the subbasin to meet the needs for these food fishes. The marine commercial fisheries In the watershed are important to a portion of the coastal accnomy, and present needs for marine fish, shrimp, and oysters are being met. Gulf of Mexico waters associated with the 8razos Rivar Subbasin produced a harvest in 1957 of about 120,000 pounds of Fish and 19,500,000 pounds of shrimp. A principal problem affecting utilization of the fishery |resources is the reduction of fish production potential due to oil |well, chemical, sewage, and silt pollution. Lack of public access to fishing facilities is an ever-oqrowing problem, and some fishermen --- Page 4 --- must travel long distances to find adequate fishing opportunities. Drainage of brackish marshlands for agriculture and industry has reduced the potential of these areas for marine sport and commer- cial fish and shellfish, Future upstream demands upon the flows of the Brazos River may result In an increase In salinity levels of the bay areas, thereby threatening further reduction of fish habitat. Injection of of] well wastes into underground strata, proper treat- ment of chemical wastes and sewage, and soil management to reduce erosion would assist in reducing pollution of fishery habitat. Construction of reservoirs on the lower reaches of the Brazos River Subbasin with provision for public access would provide needed fish- Ing facilities for fishermen of the subbasin. Public ownership of marshland habitat which Is valuable to larval shrimp, young fish, and waterfowl would protect these areas from encreachment of agricul- ture and industry. About 1,240,000 hunter-days annually represent the present hunting pressure by residents of the subbasin. Based on predicted population increases, there will ke a demand for over 2,500,000 hunter-days “annual ly by the year 2010. ‘The needs for hunting opportunities are not now being met by wildlife populations with the exception of mourning doves and rabbits. Adequate oppertunities for hunting of big gama and waterfowl are lacking, arid future demands willl further aggravate this situation. --- Page 5 --- Problems associated with recurrent drouths, excessive stock grazing, and timber clearing operations limit the potential of the subbasin to produce adequate deer, antelope, and wild turkey populations. Intensive farmiing practices, brush eradication, and overhunting are factors which have contributed to the declin- ing populations of bobwhites, scaled quail, squirrels, and other upland game. [ndustrial and municipal expansion along with drain- age for acricuiture is rapidly reducing marsh areas of the Coastal Prairie, and the lack of quelity marshes will limit any greater waterfowl use of the Gulf Coast area. i{nland, the absence of favorable habitat for waterfowl results in a distinct lack of hunting opportunities. Reduced streamflows into estuarine and marsh areas of the subbasin because of upstream demands may upset the balance between fresh and saline waters thereby threatening the destruction of fish and wiidlife habitat. Programs designed to reduce overgrazing of deer and turkey ranges by livestock would contribute toward better management of these species. Elimination of unnecessary timber clearing for agricui- ture, retiring cultivated lands under the Soll Bank Program, and greater application of soil conservation practices would materially assist upland-game sepulat tens” eho grazing of waterfowl habi- tat on the Coastal Prairie, restoration of drained ponds, and marsh deyelopment projects along the coast would benefit waterfow! --- Page 6 --- er) populations. A refuge in the lower portion of the subbasin would preserve important waterfowl habitat and create additional hunting opportunities. An assured inflow of fresh water | into the estuarine areas of the subbasin would maintain valuable fish and waterfowl habitat. The assistance given by your staff during the Investigation and preparation of this report is kindly appreciated. --- Page 7 --- TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE DESCRIPTION OF THE BRAZOS RIVER SUBBASIN FISHERY SECTION inventory Use Prob!lens Solutions WILDLIFE SECTION inventory Use Problems Solutions SUMMARY 20 ah 26 29 --- Page 8 --- PREFACE The purpose of this report is to present an overall summary of the fish and wildlife resources in relation to water- development plans for the Brazos River Subbasin of the Texas Gulf Basins. Included in the report is a general Inventory of the fish and wildlife resources of the subbasin and an appraisal of present and anticipated future use of these resources. The intrinsic problems associated with optimum development and utIlt- zation of the fish and wildlife resources are discussed, jand possible solutions to some of these problems are advanced. An earlier report entitled "Fish and Wildlife Resources of the Texas Gulf Basins'' was issued by the Bureau of Sport Fish- eries and Wildlife in May 1959. That report contained an account of fish and wiidlife considerations relating to land and water- development projects of the entire Gulf Basins region. The pre- sent report contains a breakdowm of these considerations jas they pertain to the Brazos River Subbasin. Acknowledgment is made of the cooperation and assistance given by the Texas Game and Fish Commission, the Bureau af Recla- mation, and the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries during the prepara- tion of the report. --- Page 9 --- DESCRIPTION OF THE BRAZOS RIVER SUBBASIN 1. ‘The Brazos River Subbasin, which includes the San Bernard River watershed, lies between the subbasins of the Red Rivar on the north, the Trinity River and San Jacinte River on the east, and the Colorado River on the south and west. {t is 60 to 100 miles in width and extends from the eastern| part of New Mexico In a generally southeasterly direction about 650 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. The subbasin has a drainage area of 45,670 square miles, of which 8,950 square miles in the High Plains are considered as noncontributing drainage area. Plate I shows she relative location of the subbasin. 2. ‘The Brazos River rises in the High Plains section of the Great Plains province at about elevation 4000 1/ and flows generally southeasterly across the State of Texas through the Central Lowland province, the Great Plains province, and) the Coastal Plain province. The Csntral Lowiand area has flat-to- undulating jands on the interstream divide; however, the topography is ganerally rolling and broken with occasional rugged areas near the streams and along the southern iimits of the area. The topo- graphy of the Central Great Plains area is rugged and has steeply eroded hiils. Elevations dacrease from 3000 at the Caprock Escarp- ment te about 1000 near Mineral Wells, Texas. In the Coastal Plain area, the topography varies from hilly relief in the vicinity of the low escarpment to broadly rolling country in [ts central area. i/ Ali elevations are in feet and refer to mean sea level datum. --- Page 10 --- it is a flat, featureless plain near the coast. Elevations decrease from 500 near Waco to sea level at the Gulf Coast. 3. The San Bernard River rises in Austin County, Texas, at about elevation 300 and fiows In a southeasterly direc- tion, gradually falling to sea level. Its watershed lies in the Coastal Plain physiographic province. 4. Outcrops of the Pliocene series consisting of sand, loam, and clay cccupy most of the High Plains section of|the Great Plains province. The soils are brown, noncalcareous, and friable; the parent materia! is calcareous clay. !n the Central Lowland area, outcrops are composed of sandy clays, sandy shales}, conglom- erates, shales, sandstones, limestones, gypsum, dolomite, and coal beds. The upland soils are reddish brown to dark brown and gener- ally friable. The parent material consists of sandy clay or sand- stone. The central portion of the Great Plains area contains out- crops of limestone and clay. The sollis are genarally friable, varying fran yellow to gray to black and dark brewn color. The parent materials are limestena, sandstone, and chalk. The Coastal Plain area has outcrops of chalky marl, clays, shale, sand, shell, gravel, and sandstone. Soils ere black, brown, or gray and vary From friable to cohesive solls over limestona and other ¢alcareous parent material. Practicaliy ail soils subject to overflow are friable, usually calcareous, and are gray or light brevn|to black in color. --- Page 11 --- ‘fim saentakive by yas in the Erezon Uivar Subbadin ail - 7) ee | = , ‘e | ta aye ay te te Nay yi 5 er = t ooo " aa th 3 Ti ye pha Were St wih leautem ah tia ii sed PT Rs AS ares in} aches ip ane appar poriten «? tha nelirshoet; che Post Oak Savennat., fh J} Counter Seeanneh, ond Poetton-faid Sewenneh, end Botiom~land “Wardweats ov the frac fesiria Cone vioclas fy tha central ljporiion of the atacshed; the Dotter-hene fecubeecds of the Cosstat Trakrhe * te 9 be = o tad “ t i | ee =e & Fi a cA = wi I fy = . 7 r oo — me fi _ lists tha wayetu~ tiva tysas of tha-cauterstad onc thelr acreages fedatative Types Arrcoges ilised @rétria fosteiaet Fax 7,056,300 ‘Srua Pratrte Association 15,072,500 Gudstal Prairie Asvaciation 378 300 Gesters Farest sabs Association ot BET SES Tots! a. FEZ, 300 + * ‘at + ‘ 4 Vi gliimtte aver the subbes'hn ts wederate. The everage aunudl -amuerature conces frou 70" In She coastet region jie dort 47° tn che upser portion of sie sudhasin. The growing se@eser| ex- roode fron Baa UNt¢ ai" part af Mecés ta the ailddls of Mevanbar. Qucimg scone, Joquervs and Pebruge., the wines are generarly --- Page 12 --- k northerly’ during the remainder of the year, southerly winds prevail. The everage annual precipitation over the contributing drainage arae Is about 29 inches, ranging from 50 inches|in the coastal region to abeut 16 inches in the upper portion of the watershed. The entira subbasin is subject to heavy rain$torms. The Gulf area has occasional tropical hurricanes, and the upper portion has frequent sand and dust storms. 7. The Brazos River is formed by the confluence of the Sale Fork end Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos River near the eastern boundary of Stonewall County, Texas, and flows south- easterly about 900 miles to empty into the Gulf of Mexico) near Freeport, Taxas. The stream has tidal effects for about|30 miles wuostreem from its mouth. Principal tributaries of the Brazos River, in addition to the Salt Fork and Double Mountain Fork, are Clear Fork, Ecsque River. Littie River Yegua Creek, and Navasota River. 8. The San Bernard River rises in Austin County and flews in a southeaterly direction for about 105 miles to empty into the Gulf ¢f Mexico. Tha ¢tream has tidal effects for a distanca of 40 miles. The San Bernard River has been dredged 9 faet deap and 100 jaeet wide fron fts mouth to river mile| 26. The Gulf intracoastel Waterway intersects both civers near their mouths. --- Page 13 --- 9. Underground water sources ere relied upon to supply the water needs in the semiarid high plains section of the upper portion of the subbesin. At present, about 800,000 acres of farmiand are belng irrigated from a large underground reservoir in the Brazos and Colorado Rivers Subbasins. This resarvoir Is estimated to have a capacity of 95,625,000 acre- feet. Impervious rock outcrops in the central portion of the subbasin preclude the occurrenceof any large underground| water reservoirs, and most of the municipalities and industries In this area depend upon surface water supplies. The lower portion of the subbasin has ample surface and underground water for pre- sent use, and completion of the proposed reservoirs will) provide for all anticipated future needs. 10. The subbasin Is predominantly a farming and ranch- ing area. Farms occupy about 24,000,000 acres, of which) croplands constitute about 38 percent; plowable pasture, 12 percent; wood- lands, about 11 percent; and other farmland, about 39 percent. Cattle, sheep, goats, and hogs are the important livestock raised here. Principal crops are grain sorghum, rice, oats, corn, truck crops, cotton, and wheat. 11. Principal Industries In the subbasin are based on farm and petroleum products, and include of!, gas, cottonseed and peanut processing, meatpacking, sugar refining, canneries, and textile mills. --- Page 14 --- 12. A good network of State, Federal, and County roads crosses the subbasin. In addition, other transportation) faci lIties are ral lroads, elriines, pipelines, bus lines and water navigation. 13. Recreational assets, In addition to the Gulf Coast, include Abl lene State Park in Taylor County, 507 acres; Acton State Park in Hood County; Cleburne State Park In Johnson County, 471 acres; Fort Griffin State Park in Shackelford County, 503 acres; Fort Parker State Park In Limestone County, 1,510 acres; Meridian State Park In Bosque County, 469 acres; Mineral Wells State Park in Palo Pinto County, 56 acres; Mother Neff State Park Im Coryel! County, 253 acres; Possum Kingdom State Park In Palo Pinto County; Stephen F. Austin State Park in Austin County, 664 acres; Mackenzie State Park In Lubbock County, 550 acres; and Washington $tate Park in Washington County. 14, Reservoirs of major importance to fish and|wildlife in the subbasin are listed In Table 2. Streams, reservolrs, game regions, and the more important cities In the subbasin are shown in Plate I]. --- Page 15 --- M24 W Sz 48049 4D0Y Jeyx41e8qg SLLPA [e4aoutty ‘A O01 Oj} O[eg O3Usg O1ed UME13S MK ¥ 000‘z yeoig Aig puag 2404 26.1095 uog A GOt -- souop d 3 a) 80+ == sauop oye} 3604409 A@4 0o£ 9e049 23e44eg souor uosuy A24 ¥ 0g yeeu9 dwe9 uosuyof ye 8382S eusngs;} 3 Hi 35219 3] [W-OM]L WO | RUEH AY{3 ORY putes] 4 W e019 Apueg S{ [BJ Uy [sey | Wf yee0i19 Bujyads enbsog %Ild SIeIS Ue] PI4sy W 189.194) ayouewo) SYOUBWO} i tf WES UEUIOS) Ssowes A244 uv 049 yAoy Ule_UNoY oS; qnog yo2oqqny axe] OL ey yng A@ a “put S98 005‘6 49019 s0URLY weUus' oO} yBV19 sxe] H@3 Wo? 34 #09C' EL #0045 £51 4BA}Y enbsog WeULs 9} o3e% AB4dW3d SH ‘Od #008 ‘SI x00L°1EL 49A}y SOZeAg) = Li JH 9 enbsog Agu JUN ee 13h 008° 61 9006‘ 869 J0ATY sozeag OLUjd O1ed wophu}y wnsso4 P| i ele L16°S YSS4Q BUI Sune, uews | ppg 4 *puy 2 W oo0*| ooo'o! yee ssapezu04 slietidea ¢ poyuen M24 “pul 2H 000*! 00S‘9 8019 019A 10, AB) OL3A7 4 W LLty 001 ‘ Gy 98049 Apues Sig purj3sey 09819 A? 4 "pul @W Styl 000°o9 y9es1g Beg {Le4sey p4ojuiez s A223 Wi o0g*é Oe *ad 4o049 Wig souor Li 1H WORURYd F404 433 13 ond oo9'é 72949 aepeg 40, AB j, Aq hy N24 MW 09s 991°6 yOOID Wy 40; Ae4 Sus] 1q\/ A 34 vi oo€ 000% 48949 paeqqny P4oy ,979eys (Aueqiy) Aasegoy Agd | zs a6z‘¢! $4991 4192219 3 poomuo3705 uB LON JOPSMRVSMS M24 uaw fer‘e 38019 JB2EMI90MS ue] ON [OUR J. + /OASSSSY $9158 SOB4LINS 4991-9.158 sejoedg jo esoding eouy 26R1035 WROI3S AQuUnoA £4 1CAtSSey eae ee Ujseqqns JcA]y sozeig oul Ui --- Page 16 --- peyews3sz /T [MOJ493e,j - USid - = UO 1HLeSsus8yY - } [S43uGy posi dy = 3s [ uopzebraay = | 4amod Dj435B,901pAy = 1 jedyoyuny = 4 UOj;JEABLS [OOd weMod 4O UO; jJeAsaSUdg wee A? 4 MH 000‘Z £16512 {suueyd~- 440 e140zetg 21102049 Ag 3 ‘ Cot’ i 000°8i Yoo S, 4dusOA 2; s0zRIg 3S0N 01663 A343 u gil 007‘8 9029 due uos3asgoy yeeu9 due: a Wa ‘ht fy S62 00t‘% ADAIY BJOSPAGH BUOTSBu I] pre! jbujade J uo? "PU 008 000 ‘ZI 48049 Apues uel iW 205 [if A 23 “pul 2 ‘t ‘w ‘94 #001 E #002‘ SZ 4BAlY UOS] [A109 2 | 19G WO | a1 J “puy 3 W 000 ‘gz JeA}y Uos)] pue, seq “uos Jd H /t 002 7 i aa JoAly ue] pues, seg USP 1G M24 u _ 005% BUON OPes0jO3 eye] |15ey 4 i3swW /i OSt 006% 4o4}y UCO7> pue_ sey PueL SSE: A I 90z‘1 o- 2140zeig eyez souen 4 ool yeeig 49754g RB) 40zeig BIL] ops A gd u 00s yess) enBe, [euueud-s19 227] puog 621- ba W Sed yee49 WR YOR AOU}IOIY | yoo4y Wy] > J [OALBSay S¥1de SoesINS 359j-9198 seizeds 40 esodiny eoly abe4o7s WEBI3S Aqunoy EALQAISSEz (penuy ues) Z 21gGe) --- Page 17 --- 15. Important stream fishing occurs along the Brazos River from its mouth te Possum Kingdom Dam. tmpoundments In the subbasin affect streamflows in the river, but they have not destroyed any Important stream fishing. Construction of Possum Kingdom Reser- volr has eliminated zero flows at the Palo Pinto Gaga, about 20 miles downstream fram Possum Kingdom Dam and has increased the javerage minimum monthly flows. Even during the drought perlod, 1950-1957, the minimum flow recorded was 8 second-feet. Lesser streamflows have bean recorded at the Waco Gage, about 40 miles dovmstream from Whitney Dam, since impoundment of Whitney Reservoir began in December 1951; however, most of the flows recorded after Whitney Dam was com- pleted were made during the drought. Minimum flow recorded during the drought was 31 second-feet. 16. Table 3 lists the average monthly minimum flows In the Brazos River at the Palo Pinto Gage before and after the |construction of Possum Kingdom Dam and during the drought period. Table 3 = Average Monthly Minimum Flows (second-fe Brazos River, Palo Pinto Gage, Before and After Possum Kingdom Dam Construction and During the Drought Period Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. Ma June Jul Aug. Sep. Before hy ho 59 28 Sl 23 37 166 328 «(86 31 = 56 After 120 70 65 &2 43 116 96 398 34 119 128 73 Drought 48 39 4O 40 33 4 2h 210 76 «(57 64 8622 17. Table & IIlsts the average monthly minimum flows tn the Brazos River at the Waco Gage following the corstruction |of Possum Kivgdom and Whitney Dams and during the drought period. --- Page 18 --- 10 Table 4 - Averages Monthly Minimum Flows (second-feet Brazos River at Waco Gage Following Closure of Possum Kingdom and Whitney Dams and During the Drought Period Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. June Jul Aug. Sep. Possum Kingdom 451 373 346 4IO 579 625 727 818 735 kos 338 Whitney 70 57 469 S5S& 80 57 £4«®979 #2595 4508 213 128 71 Drought 119 87 100 76 108 77 67 287 473 213 29h 75 18. The Brazos and San Bernard Rivers empty directly into the Gulf of Mexico, thereby supporting little estuarine habitat. The brackish-weter marshland within the subbasin Is almost entirely dependent upon local runoff. FISHERY SECTION inventory 19. Fish habitat In the Brazos River Subbasin supports fresh-water and marine fish. Principal species of fresh*water fish in streams, lakes, reservoirs, and farm ponds are largemouth bass, Texas spotted bass, white and black crapple, bluegill, white bass, channel and flathead catfishes, freshwater drum, buffalofishes, carp, river carpsucker, and minnows. Redfish, gafftopsall, speckled trout, sheepshead, flounders, croakers, menhaden, mullet, shrimp, and blue crabs ere the principal marine fish and shellfish. 20. Stream fisheries of importance occur in the Brazos River from Its mouth upstream to Possum Kingdom Dam. Stream fisher- ies of local importance ecccur in the Navasota, Paluxy, Leon, San --- Page 19 --- Gabriel, Noiands, Littie,anc San Bernard Rivers; and Chocolate, Dickerson, Austin, and Bastrop Bayous. Streams that provide Intermittent sources of fishing are the Bosque and Lampa sas Rivers; and Cowhorse, Sulphur, Big Sandy, Brushy, Meridilan, Steel, Neal, Palo Pinto, Keachi, and Oyster Creaks. 21. In addition to the reservoirs of major importance for fishing listed in Table 2, smal! lakes and reservoir Ss and 94,000 farm ponds, totalling about 64,000 acres collectively, provide considerable fishing opportun! ties. 22. Important sources of marine sport fishing occur in the lower reaches of the Brazos and San Bernard River s, Oyster Creek, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, and the Gulf of Mexico. 23. Fresh-water commercial fishing of Importance occurs in the Brazos, San Bernard, Leon, Lampasas, and Navasota Rivers; Belton, Whitney, Possum Kingdom, Fort Phantom Hill, and Camp Creek Reservoirs; and Springfield Lake. Marine commercial fishing of importance occurs in the lower reach of the Brazos and San Bernard Rivers and the Gulf of Mexico. Use 24, About 1,200,000 people reside in the Brazo Subbasin. By the year 2010, the population is expected s River ko be about 3,000,000 people. According to the Crossley and Belden Surveys In --- Page 20 --- 12 the State of Texas, about 2,675,000 man-days af fishing are ex- pended annually by people of the subbasin, of vhich 2,666,000 wanedays are by fresh-water fishermen and 875,000 man-days by marine fishermen. By the year 2010, should future use follow the present trends. almost 8,000,000 man-days of “resh-water Fishing and 3,600,000 man-days of marine fishing will be expended by people of the subbasin. Table 5 presents data regarding pre- sent and future fresh-water and marine sport fishing use|in the subbasin. Table 5 » Frash-Water and Marine Spor); Fishing in the Brazos River Subbasin Fisheraan=Days 1955 to 2010 . 1955 2010 verage Fresh-Water 2,666, 000 7,981 , 000 5,32:,000 Marine 875, G00 3,600, 004 2,238, 000 Total 3,541,000 11,581,000 7,561, 000 25. With tha exception of the lowar portion of|the sub- basin which lacks reservolr-typs fishing, streams and reservoirs in the subbasin provide adequate fishing opportunities for residents of the 3razes River Subbasin. Residents fran other areng$ of the State also uss these faciiities. whitney, Delton, and Fossum Kingdom Reservoirs in themselves racelye an annual estimated fisl hing pressure of abow: 2,000,000 man-days. The anticipated increase in population --- Page 21 --- 13 and fishing pressure, however, wil] require additional facilities to meet the future needs for fishing opportunities. 26. Demands for marine sport fishing in the subbasin are far greater than the habitat can support, and fishermen must rely on fisherles associated with other subbasins. it Is doubtful that the waters of the subbasin can accommodate any Increase In fish- ing pressure. 27. Demands for fresh-water and marine commercial fish species are great but are adequately met by fish from streams and reservoirs In the subbasin and the fishery in the Gulf of Mexico associated with the subbasin. About 10,500,000 pounds of shrimp and 120,000 ponds ef fish caught in the Gulf of Mexico in 1956 were landed in the subbasin. For the same period, over 350,000 pounds of buffalofishes, carp, and catfishes were taken from streams and reservoirs in the subbasin. Anticlpated population increases wil! result In greater demands for both fresh-water and marine commercial fishes. The demands for fresh-water commercial species can be met through more intensive use of existing waters. Problems 28. Pollution ts one of the greatest factors affecting the fishery resources in the Brazos RiverSubbasin. $oll| erosion --- Page 22 --- 145 results In about 35 million tons of silt being carried an by the Brazos River. O11 wells, municipalities, refinerl petroleum-processing plants, chemical plants, dairy produ plants, cheese plants, rendering and soap plants, canner nual ly ct ies, and textile mills ere sources of pollution. in the headwaters, severe mineral pollution from natural sources also is a p 29. Access to most streams and reservoirs in th basin Is a problem as It Is on many streams and reservolr roblem. @ sub= s In the State. On some reservoirs and reaches of streams, payment of a fee or landowner permission Is required to fish. In instances, usa of the streams or reservoirs is restricted membership groups. 30. Demands for reservoir-type fishing are grea other to t In the lower portion of the subbasin where public fishing facilities are lacking. People of the area must travel long distances to fish reservoirs or to participate In marine or stream fishing. 31. Drainage of brackish-water marshlands for agriculture and industrial and municipal expansion has reduced the la rval shrimp and young fish habitat which is required in the life cycle of these inimals. These areas are abundantly rich in food organisms, provide protection against many predatory animals, and serve as nursey grounds for fish and shellfish. 32. Maintaining a balanced population of sport and rough fishes I: reservoirs, takes, and ponds Is the most difficult --- Page 23 --- 5 management problem affecting the fresh-water fisheries. 33. Construction of reservoirs on the mainstem Brazos River would destroy valuable stream fishing habita create a hardship on stream fishermen who prefer float fl 34%. Future upstream demands upon the flows of t of the t and shing. he Brazos River may result In an Increase in salinity levels near the coast to the extent that a valuable marine fishery could be des Soiutions 35. Through education and more stringent pollut legislation, industrial and municipal wastes can be preve from entering streams. of existing sewage disposal units would reduce stream pol from this source. Oj] well wastes can be injected Into u strata, and other industrial wastes can be processed free matertais before releasing wastes into streams. Adequate servation measures to keep the topsoi! on the land and ou streams would reduce the amount of silt carried by stream result in better fish habitat. of silt which Is carried into the Gulf of Mexico, some of Is redistributed inte the bay areas. 36. troyed. ion nted Sewage plant construction and renovation lutlog nderground of toxic soll con- t of 5 and This would also reduce the amount which Providing factlities for public use of streams and construction of Fedarally authorized reservolrs would provide ade- quate fishing opportunities and solve fishing access prob he subbasin. lems Tn --- Page 24 --- 16 37. A good fishing reservoir in the general vicinity of Allen's Creek In Austin County with adequate free, pubilc access facilities would go far in solving the existing and future fresh-water fishing demands in the lower subbasin. 38. An adeauate inflow of fresh water Into estuarine areas must be malntalned In order to preserve the valuable marine fishery of the lower Brazos River and the Gulf Coast. 39. Public ownership of marshland habi tet which is valuable for larval shrimp and young fish would preserve the nursery and feeding grounds of these animals and also provide habitat for waterfew!. 4O. A solutfon to an overpopulation of fresh-water fishes would be the use of surplus populations in processing animal foods, fertilizers, and utlilzation as food for human consumption. However, a more effective solution to reservalr overpopulation would be to éetermine methods of controlling everpopulations end maintaining a population balance favoring desireble species. WILDLIFE SECTION inventory 41. Bigegame animais in the subbasin are white-tailed dear, mule deer, antelopes, and javelines. Approximately 80 percent --- Page 25 --- 17 of the 3,800,000 acres of deer habitat are occupled by about 60,000 white-tailed deer. Thelr greatest population density “LH average occurs In the Coastal Prairie game region where there Is oe “F “f (O33 dee opr | pa eee The lowest population density is on the Blackland Prairte game region where there 1s oummine 1005 deer PER AGRE. | sbout are. About 250 mule deer range In the southern parts of Garza and Kent Counties. The small ante- lope population of sbout 650 animals is more prominent In| the Rolling Plains game region; however, small groups occur on the A. P. George Ranch in Fort Bend County and in the Erath-Somervell- Bosque area. Javelinas have not Increased sufficiently to be sig- nificant. About 25 javelinas were stocked In Garza County, and their population has not increased. They have increased in numbers on the A. P. George Ranch where hunting is not permitted.| 42. About 50 percent of the 3,800,000 acres of turkey hebitat are occupied by about 13,000 wiid turkeys. The greatest concentration Is In Shackleford, Throckmorton, and Haskell Counties where about 60 percent of the turkeys occur. Most of the other turkeys are In the Rolling Plains, West Cross Timbers, and Grand Prairle game regions. | 43. Approximately 1,250 Attwater's prairie chickens are in Austin, Colorado, Wherton, Waller, and Brazoria Counties. Most of the prairie chickens are In an ares near the Colorado-Wharton --- Page 26 --- 18 County line. Gnly 250,000 acres of habitat still remain, of which 65 percent is occupied by prairie chickens. ki. Bobwhites, mourning deves, fox squirrels, raccoons, opossums, gray foxes, and snipes occur throughout the subbasin. Bobwhites are most abundant In the Grand Prairie, Rolling |Plains, and Coastal Prairie game regions and on small farms in the East Texas Timber Country game region. Thelr population Is estimated to be 800,000 birds, or about one-third of the Gulf Basin total, Scaled quall occur Im the upper part of the subbasin, and their population is estimated to be 79,000. The most abundant game specie$ are mourning doves which occur throughout the subbasin. 4S. There are 3,800,000 acres of squirrel habitet of which 3,450,000 acres are upland habitat with a population of 860,000 — squirre!s. Bottan-iand habitat ameunts to 359,000 acres, and It has a population of 117,000 squirreis. The greatest populations ef fox and gray squirrel] occur In the lower portion of the subbasin. There are 19,800,000 acres of habltat for cottontal!s, 12,700,000 acres for Jackrabbits, and 86,000 acres for swamp rabbits. Jack- rabbits are more commen In the northern part of the subbasin and cottontal ls and swamp rabbits In the southern part. 46. Raccoons end opossum are abundant and occupy about 10,850,000 acres of hablzat. Gray foxes are abundant In the lower --- Page 27 --- 19 half of the watershed. Red walves are searce and are found in the seuthern and central portions of the watershed. Coyotes = are found In the northern and western portions of as bobcats are abundant In the extreme upper and lower portions of the subbasin. Snipes and woadcocks occur only In the southern and eastern portions of the subbasIn. Pelicans, herens, ibises, cranes, terns, and gulls are the principal birds along the coast. 47. Minks are the most important fur animals, and ex= cept In Wharton County where thelr population Is estimated to be about 2 minks per mile of nheng ex iaetion conn’: thelr pop= ulation is low and estimated at. f stream habitat. Raccoons, opossums, and skunks are the most abundant fur animals and occur throughout the subbasin. Ring-tat led cats are scarce and are found In the lewer portion of the watershed. Badgers, beavers, and muskrats are scarce and of Insignificant Importance. Nutries have beceme so abundant on Eagle Lake in Colerads County thet they have destroyed waterfow! habi tat and are now cons! dered pasts. | 48. There ere $75,000 acres of weterfow! habitat In the Brazos River Subbasin consisting of rlee fields, shallow Fresh marshes, farm ponds, reservoirs, lakes, streams, bays, coastal fresh and sali marshes, and coastal meadows. . Approxt-= mitely 264,000 acres are of high value, 222,000 acres of moderate --- Page 28 --- 20 value, and 89,000 acres of low value to waterfowl. The most important areas are rice fields and shallow fresh marshes, bg. Based on censuses, about 855,000 waterfowl use the Brazos River Subbasin chiefly during fal! and winter months. Principal waterfowl are pintails, mallards, lesser scaups, bald- pates, shovelers, blue-winged and green-winged teal, gadwalls, redheads, cenvasbacks, mottled ducks, fulvous tree ducks, | snow geese, blue geese, wood ducks, and coots. Mottled ducks and fulvous tree ducks nest In tall grass close to ponds and sloughs in the coastal prairle counties. Wood ducks nest in the timbered bettoms of the Brazos River downstream from Whitney Reservoir and the Navasota River. Use 50. About 15 percent of the subbasin Is deer habitet, and about S vorcont ef that habitat Is occuped by deer. The human population density of the subbasin Is 25 persons per square mile; moreover, the cities of Houston, Ballas, and Fort Worth Ile within 80 miles. Based on the Crossley Survey report and the estimated subbasin population, the existing demands for big-game hunting of 228,300 man-days annually far exceed the estimated 61,000 man- days expended In the subbasIn. As a result many hunters In the subbasin apply for permits to deer hunt on State management areas --- Page 29 --- a} near Kerrville, Harathon, and Palestine, Texas. Others go out~ side the subbesin to hunt. As Is the case with deer hunting, the demands for turkey hunting far exceed the hunting opportu- nities. At present, there Is no open season on pronghorn ante- lopes because of thelr limited distribution and sparse population. The Increased demand for big-game hunting and rapidly increasing human population will result In a demand for 725,000 man-days of big-game hunting In the year 2010. 51. The demand for hunting upland-game species | such as quail, doves, squirrels, and rabbits is great. Based en the Crossley Survey there is a demand for about 362,000 man-days of hunting in the Brazos River Subbasin. With a rapidly expanding human pepulation and increasing Interest in this type of hunting, this demand will Increase te over 2,600,000 man-days in 2010. 52. Although bobwhites are widely distributed, their population Is so low that hunting opportunities do not meet the demands in all but 2 few counties. Hunting opportunities are oresently adequate for scaled qualis but are not expected to be wdequate In the future. 53. interest tn mourning dove hunting Is high, end thet: are usually enough birds to adequately meet the demands. In tha future, the demands generally will be met. --- Page 30 --- 22 54. Squirrel populations In the upper half of the subbasin are insufficlent te mest hunters' demands. On the lower portion of the subbasin squirrels provide good hunting. tnereasing human pepulations will resuit in a need for addi- tional squirrel hunting opportunities. 55. Rabbit hunting has not been as popular with sports= men as deer, squirrel, or qual! hunting. Owing to declining populations of other game species, an increase in rabbit hunting is occurring. The rabbit population is considered adequate to take care of present and future demands. 56. Opossums and raccoons are sufficiently common to more than meet the demands of the relatively few hunters, most of whom hunt raccoons at night with dogs. Fox, coyote, wolf, and bobcats are frequently hunted for sport and bounties are paid on one or niore of these species in several countles. [na few locali- ties, ringetalled cats are hunted for sport. The amount of sport hunting provided by these species varies from place to place, but these arlmals are numerous enough to meet the demands of pursue chem. . 57. Winks and muskrats are the most sought fur wherever they occur, although they ere far less numerous those who anlmals than some of the others whose pelt value Is much lower. Inasmuch as fur trapping provides only supplemental Incomes and Is not of ecenomic --- Page 31 --- 23 importance to any community in the subbasin, 1t Is not con- sidered to be of major Importance. 58. The Coastal Pralrie Region of the subbasiIn comes the nearest to fitiing the demands of duck and goose hunters, although waterfow! hunting Is occasionally good on Inland res~ ervoirs and farm ponds. Despite some fair-to-good hunting, the demands for waterfowl hunting far surpess the aval lable opportunities. The Crossley Survey showed a demand for 154,200 man-days of waterfow! hunting annuelly In the Brazos River Sub- basin. As is the case with other types of hunting In the basin, the demand for waterfow] hunt!ing will greatly Increase a8 a re- sult of ean increasing human population, Increased leisure time, and Increased Interest In hunting. The demand for waterfow! hunting Is expected to be 459,000 man-days in 2010. 59. Fable 7 contains data showing present and future big-game, upland=-game, and waterfowl hunting use in the Brazos River SubbastIn. Table 7 « Biq-Game, Upiand-Gams, and Waterfowl Hunting in the Brazos River Subhasin Marne ) 1955 to 2010 1955 2010 Average Bi g-Game 228,300 725,000 477,000 Up land-Game 862,100 2,603 ,000 } ,733 , 000 Waterfow! 154,200 459,000 307 ,000 Total 1,244,600 3,787,000 2,517,000 — re --- Page 32 --- 2h Problems 60. The quallty of deer habitat in the subbasin is generally considered fair to poor due principally to excessive stock grazing. The drought ef 1950 to 1957 further deteriorated the rance. The future prospects for deer rehabilitation Is dis- mal because habitat is continually being destroyed through timber clearing for additional grazing lands. The West Cross Timbers game region supports the greatest deer populations, but this herd frequently causes depredations on peanut, melon, and truck crops. Bosque, Stephens, and Jack Counties have overpopulations of deer for the quality of range. Much of the deer range is closed to hunting and those areas that are open receive so much gun pressure that hunter success Is lee, Many landowners do not permit hunting or Ilmlt hunting to thelr families and friends. This results in an underharvest of deer thereby perpetuating overpopulations and poor growth and reproduction. 61. There !s little likel!hood that antelope hunting will become @ reality in the subbasin unless the herds are in- creased In numbers. Antelopes do not do as well on sheep range as on cattle range, and It Is problematical if their population can be increased to huntable numbers. 62. Problems associated with wild curkeys are similar to those encountered by white-tailed deer. The exsansien of rice, --- Page 33 --- 25 cotton, corn, and grain sorgimm acreages has eliminated most of the Attwater's prairie chicken coastal habitat of native prairle grasses. Excessive grazing cn drought-stricken pastures has added to the acreage from which these birds heve been forced. Bobwhites and scaled qualls also have suffered from drought and excessive Ilvestock grazing. Bobwhites also have lost habitat as a result of clean, intensive farming practices and brush removal on pastures and ranges. 63. Although the squirre] population In the lower por- tlon of the subbasin Is adequete to meet the hunters’ demands, It is likely the day will soon arrive when the demand will exceed the supply. Bottom-land clearing, upland brush eradication, |and over- hunting are factors contributing to the decline of the squirrel population. Squirrels are sometimes serlous pests In pecan groves, and many farmers wage a constant wer on these animals. 64. icelands and marshes in Brazoria and Fort Bend Counties winter the greatest concentration of waterfowl and furnish considereble amounts of hunting opportunitics. But here, as else- where, the oopertunities do not meet the demand, due to restrictions on hunting Imposed by landowners. Ricelands provide ample waste grain for waterfowi when the ficlds are not dry, but the| lack of quality marshes may be an Important obstacle to greater waterfowl use of the Coastal Prairie portlon of the subbasin. inland, absence of favorable habl tat on and around reservoirs end lakes results In --- Page 34 --- 26 the Inability of most ef these waters to hold ducks during migration more than a few days. Industrial and aunicipal ex- pansion and drainage for crops and pastures are rapidly | reducing the marsh areas of the Coastal Prairie. Sclutions 65. Formulating better sportsmen~-landowner relationships to permlt more hunting and harvest will for the most part resolve problems created by overpopulations of deer. Where deer populations are belng reduced by IIlvestock competition or destructlon of habitat, an educational program should be designed to show landewners' bene- fits which could be realized by reducing livestock competition and by selective timber clearing. Wheres depredation is a problem it may be profitabie for some large peanut and truck-crop growers to convert thelr less valuable jlands Inte deer hunting preserves. 66. Better grazing management on timbered and brushy ranges and leaving a good distribution of mast-producing trees will contribute materlally toward Increasing wild turkey populations, but at best the demand for turkey hunting will continue te exceed the hunting opportun! ties. 67. improving present native pastures and restoring additional grasslands would Increase the Attwater's pralrle chicken population but nef to the extent of providing a| huntable population. Landexners can recelve assistance through the Soil Bank Program In returning cultivated lands to grasses. Existing --- Page 35 --- 27 native pastures, «hen used in accordance with soli conservatlon practices, have resulted in an increase in numbers of this native grouse. 68. Although the intensively farmed Biackland Prairie may never Support mere than a small bobwhite population as com- pared to other less intensively farmed lands or goed rangelands, there are many waste spots on many farms which, If properiy developed, would contribute materlally to local quall populations. Grassland management and quail management practices on ranges and native pastures, such es creating properly spaced islands of food and cover, woltid Increase quall populations. This is needed particularly on mesquite ranges where even partia! clearing re- duces bobwhite populations. On ranges heavily covered with post oaks, qual! populations will benefit from a limited amount of clearing. Besides encouraging landowners to retain some of their squirre!t habltat, there appears to be no feasible solution to prevent habltat destruction. 69. Undertaking marsh development projects on the Coastal Prairie would make that area more attractive to waterfowl. Caastal rangelands could also be Improved for waterfowl, especially for mottled ducks, by eliminating or seducing grazing around natural ponds and by restoring drained ponds. Provistens for adequate --- Page 36 --- 28 fresh-water flows Into estuarine areas should be made to preserve valuable waterfowl habitat in bay areas of the Gulf Ceast. 70. Were it possible to control water levels far water- fowl food production In public reservoirs, use of the arses by waterfowl would be greatly Increased. Since this may be impossible to accomplish, an alternative plan would be to explore the feasibility of creating subImpoundments on tributary streams Immediately upstream from large reservolrs. The water leve! of the sublmpoundments would be controlled to provide a maximum duck-food production. A refuge In the lower Coasta} Prairie region would preserve some Important waterfowl areas and possibly create a public hunting erea. 7\. With the high demand for places to hunt waterfowl, I¢ should be profitable for rice farmers to shallow flood all or portions of rice-stubble fields for seasonal hunting leases or for day-hunting Isases. Hunter control should be exercised or the birds will be overhunted or forced out of the area. Fermers who wish to do a llitle private shooting or who merely want to assist waterfowl without the expense of pumping water can plug rice-field drains so as to Impound rainwater. {!f they do rot want to drown out grazing land, drains can be partially closed so that rainwater does not remain on the field long enough to destroy its value for jgrazing. --- Page 37 --- SUMMARY 72. Fresh-water and marine fisheries of importance occur In the Brazos River Subbasin. There Is high-quality stream fishing In the Brazos River downstream from Possun Kingdom Dam. Except for the lower portion of the subbasin, reservolr-type fishing Is well distributed and meets present demands. Future reservoir demands can be met by construction of reservoirs in the upper and lower portions of the subbasin. Marine fishing demands gre not fulfilled by the estuarine and Gulf waters in the subbasin. Pol lu- tion and lack of adequate access facilities are major facters affect- ing proper production and use of the fishery resources. 73. Limited and peor-quality habitat, unduly restricted hunting on many private lands, poor access, overgrazing, and elimin- ation of habitat by clearing or drainage have been detrimental to wildlife populations and prevented hunters' Interests from being fully satisfled. Acquisltion and management of lands for waterfow! and for mitigation of cther wildlife losses created by reservoir construction, and improved land use on private lands will partially solve the problams asseclated with wildlife. --- Page 38 --- 0961'S! Yos0W *3Lv0 z NOIDSY OOIXAaW MIN ‘aNdYaNonEW uTsegq-qns somTO so7 ujTseg-qns geoeny upeeg-qns woTSssTW uTseg-qns otuozuy ueg-edntepeny uTSseg=-qns PePTAeN-BoOeALT 34NGWM ONY SFINSHSIY LYOdS 4O nva"ns JOIANIS 34MGWM ONY HSI4 UPeV_-qns OpesoTod YOIMALNI S3HL 30 LNSWLYVd30 SB1VLS GALINA uyeseg-qng sozeig ufseg-qng oyupoRr ues ufseg-qns Ay FuTay S37IW 4O 371V9S uTseg-qns geqoey ogi 08 ) ufTseq-qns eutqes SVX3i JO SNISVE 31ND puede] --- Page 39 --- " GAME REGIONS Relling Plains West Cress Timbers Grand Prairie East Creas Timbers Blackland Prairie East Texas Timber Country Coastal Prairie ayrv Aw, i ‘a D 14 _ Ke 13 -“10 a) || a aaa Lr 15 ie ' F GEOGRAPHIC LEGEND weer ¢ 1. Salt Ferk of the Brazes = 2. Double Mountain Fork Bp 3. Clear Fork 17 4, Possum Kingdom Reservoir G 9 5. Pale Pinte Creek 18 6. Abilene 7. ‘Paluxy River 8. Whitney Reservoir 9. Bosque River 10. Wace Reservoir ll. Wace fi, 12. Leon River <i 13. Belten Reservoir 14, Lampasas River San Gabriel River 16. Navasota River cian ase wekcanee 46 17. Richmond BUREAU = Resse fp ose Recent 18. San Bernard River - : A SR SOR RR 19. Freeport UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BRAZOS RIVER SUB-BASIN ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO REGION 2 DATE: July, “1960 y | pate IL