(1958) Fisheries Survey of Buffalo Lakes, Lubbock, Texas

--- Page 1 --- Marion Toole Coordinator Report of Fisheries Investigations Fisheries Survey of Buffalo Lakes, Lubbock, Texas by Leo D. Lewis Project Leader H. D. Dodgen - Executive Secretary Texas Game and Fish Commission Austin, Texas Kenneth C. Jurgens & William H. Brown Assistant Coordinators --- Page 3 --- Supplemental Report State of TEXAS Name; Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region I-B. Title: Fisheries Survey of Buffalo Lakes, Lubbock, Texas. Abstract: A total of 13 species, representing five families of freshwater fish, was collected from Buffalo Lakes for study. Data concerning relative abundance, food habits, sexual development, coefficient of condition and pathological conditions were recorded, and, as far as possible, reduced to tabular form. Though all species present were found to be in good condition, Buffalo Lakes contain an excessive population of carpsucker and black bullhead catfish. Remedial recommendations included complete eradication of the existing fish popula- tion in all three lakes as well as their headwater stream and impoundments, and restocking with a balanced ratio of game and forage fishes. It was also recommended to drop water leveIs as low as possible prior to treatment to permit reduction in cost of treatments, conditioning of the lake bottoms, and construction of fishing piers, boat docks, fish shelters, spawning beds for bottom-nesting game fishes, and seining beaches for future surveys and rough fish controls. Fishing should be prohibited for at least one year after restocking. Another fish- eries survey will be conducted prior to continuation of fishing to determine growth and condition of the stocked fish, and to determine future requirements to maintain good fishing in Buffalo Lakes. Ob jectives: To conduct a fisheries investigation in an effort to determine species present, their relative abundance, condition, stage of gonadal development, and other data upon which to base recommendations for improving the fishery of the lake. Techniques: Field work on this job was done on April 21 and 22, 1958. Approximately 2400 feet of gill nets were set ranging in size from one inch to three inch square mesh for a single night set. Each fish taken in these nets was measured, weighed, and the stage of gonadal development recorded. Filled stomachs of predacious species were saved in formalin and their contents later identified in the laboratory. Check seining was done — 20 foot minnow seine (1/8 inch mesh), and a 100 foot nylon drag seine (1/2 inch mesh). --- Page 4 --- Physical data, including air temperature, water temperature and turbidity were recorded at the lake. Water samples were saved for a chemical analysis in the laboratory. Findings: The waters under study consist of three lakes in a series, situated on the Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos River, approximately twelve miles southeast of Lubbock, Lubbock County, Texas. Buffalo Lakes are under operating control of the Lubbock County Water Control and Improvement District Number 1. The three lakes and the surrounding land comprise a recreation area for fishing, boating, swimming and camping. Fees charged for use of this recreational area are as follows; General admission = = = -===-s-s2-s-ee2e6 $ .25 per person Daily fishing permit \-= == 22ss-s+2-e58 6 1.00 per day Boat admission = = === 22-22 = 2 22 =] 1.00 per day Annual fishing permit = - - = = -=-2s-2-+e-. 20.00 per person Physical Characteristics The upper lake, No. 1, is the larger with an estimated volume of 630 acre feet. It has an uncontrolled spillway 63 feet long at the right end of the dam and a 6-inch pipe with valve at the left end. The middle lake, No. 2, contains an estimated 140 acre feet of water. It has an uncontrolled spillway 25 feet long at the right end of the dam, an 18-inch corrugated iron culvert pipe with valve at the right end, and a 10-inch cast- iron pipe and valve at the left end of the dam. The third lake, No. 3, is the smaller with an estimated volume of 133 acre feet. Controlled releases are permitted through the dam by a as inch cast-iron pipe and valve and a 12-inch corrugated iron pipe with valve. An uncontrolled service spillway 50 feet long has been excavated in rock on the right bank, and an uncontrolled emergency spillway, 60 feet long, has been excavated in earth on the left bank. Figure 1. (aerial photograph) shows the lakes as they now exist. Dotted lines indicate a proposed new development which will incorporate the three lakes into one large lake. The main purpose of this survey is to determine the status of the fishery of the three lakes so that remedial recommendations can be carried out before impounding the larger lake. According to a study made by the U. S. Geological Survey between March 4, 1952, and March 18, 1954, the lakes store enough flood water to remain practically full most of the time. Measurements of inflow to the upper Buffalo Lake indicate a fairly de- pendable supply of about 2 c.f.s. from headwater springs and seeps. According to the conclusions of their study, it appears that the inflow from springs and seeps is suffi- cient to offset evaporation and transpiration losses under conditions existing during the two year period of their investigation. In addition to headwater seeps and springs, there are several springs and seep areas along the banks and in the beds of the lakes. Engineers have estimated the flow of springs at the rock house (Lake No. 2) at 350 gallons per ‘minute. Estimates on flow of the other springs and seeps are not available, but they probably contribute greatly to the water supply of Buffalo Lakes. --- Page 5 --- Water Quality The collecting bottle containing Buffalo Lake water was broken in transit, and the sample was lost before it could be analyzed. However, records of complete chemical analysis of Buffaio Lake water were maintained by the U. S. Geological Survey during their two year investigation. This information is given in Table l. Fish Collections A total of 13 species, representing five families of fresh-water fish, was taken from Buffalo Lakes during the survey. Gill nets collected 567 fish, totaling 590.7 pounds, which included eight species. Seine drags with a 20-foot minnow seine and a 100-foot drag seine, produced five species that were not present in gill nets. Fishes taken by seining were too numerous to save and work into the data, however, field counts were made and relative abundance of species noted. Table 2 shows the percentage composition by numbers and weights of fish collected by gill nets. Table 3 shows the relative abundance of species collected by both netting and seining. Table 4 shows the number and percent of number of fish taken by gill nets in each of the three lakes, as well as the combined total. The check list of species present in Buffalo Lakes is as follows: Catostomidae (suckers and buffalofishes) Carpiodes carpio = river carpsucker. This species presents a serious problem to the fishery of Buffalo Lakes, and the reduction of its numbers would be highly beneficial. It made up 37.9 percent of the total number and 95.28 percent of the total weight of fishes taken in gill nets and processed for data. Cyprinidae (shiners and minnows) Notemigonus crysoleucas = golden shiner. This large minnow is common in the lakes. Not only was it taken in seine collections, but it comprised 6.1 percent of the total taken by gill nets. Notropis lutrensis ~ redhorse shiner. This very common minnow of Texas waters is very abundant in Buffalo Lakes and was represented in every seine drag made during the survey. Pimephales promelas ~ fathead minnow. This species was taken in seine collections, but is considered rare in Buffalo Lakes. Ameiuridae (freshwater catfishes) Ictalurus punctatus - channel catfish. This was the most abundant game fish found in the lakes. It constituted only 2.3 percent of the total collected by gill nets. Ictalurus melas = black bullhead. Comprising 42.5 percent of the total, this is the most abundant species taken by gill nets. Control measures to reduce the bullhead popu- lation is needed to improve the fishery of Buffalo Lakes. Poeciliidae (mosquitofish) Gambusia affinis » common mosquitofish. Rare in Buffalo Lakes. --- Page 6 --- Centrarchidae (black basses and sunfishes) Micropterus salmoides ~- largemouth black bass. Fingerlings of this very popular game fish were common in seine collections, however, only five were taken in gill nets, comprising 0.9 percent of the total. Lepomis cyanellus - green sunfish. Considered as rare in Buffalo Lakes. Only one was taken in gill nets, very few in seine collections. Lepomis microlophus - redear sunfish. Rare. Lepomis macrochirus - bluegill sunfish. The most abundant sunfish present in seine collections and the third most abundant species taken in gill nets. Lepomis humilis ~ orangespotted sunfish. Common. Pomoxis annularis = white crappie. Rare. Only two were taken in gill nets and very few in seine collections. Coefficient of Condition "K" factors were determined for all carpsucker, channel catfish, black bass and crappie collected in gill nets. Each fish was measured, weighed, and the stage of gonadal development recorded, in an effort to determine condition of fishes present in Buffalo Lakes as compared to those in other lakes in the region. Table 5 shows the comparison of "K" factors for fishes collected from Buffalo Lakes with those collected from Lake Eddleman, Lake Diversion and Buffalo Lake (near Umbarger). All species collected from Buffalo Lakes were found to be in good condition. Food Habits Food remains were found in stomachs of six specimens; 2 black bass, 2 channel catfish and 2 black bullhead. Table 6 presents a complete analysis on food remains of all stomachs taken. Black bass and channel catfish fed exclusively on fish. Stomachs of black bullhead contained snails, freshwater shrimp, insect larva, fish eggs, algae, and plant fiber. Sexual Development Gonads of all channel catfish collected were immature. The only other immature individuals recorded were two carpsuckers. One female carpsucker was found to be half-spent, apparently being captured during the process of spawning. All other carp- suckers, as well as black bass and crappie were ripe and in spawning condition. Pathological Conditions No evidence of disease, parasites or other abnormalities was found on any of the fishes collected and examined during the survey. However, one crappie possessed rather --- Page 7 --- peculiar markings. A black band approximately 1/8 inch starting under its lower lip and continuing up over the head and back to the dorsal fin, terminating on the last of the spiny rays of that fin. It was taken from the lower lake. Discussion and Recommendations: The primary purpose of this survey was to determine condition of the fishery at Buffalo Lakes, and what, if anything, should be done before impounding the larger lake. Results of the survey disclosed an overpopulation of rough fish (80.4 percent). Carpsucker and black bullhead represented 37.9 percent and 42.5 percent, respectively, of the total number taken in gill nets. Game fish, including channel catfish, black bass and crappie, comprised only 3.5 percent of the total. Forage species, including golden shiner and sunfishes, made up the remaining 16.1 percent. The most outstanding problems at Buffalo Lakes are the over-abundant carpsucker and bullhead populations, which should definitely be eliminated before impounding the new lake. At the present time, there is no selective-control for these species. There- fore, it follows that the entire fish population must be removed and the lake restocked with a proper ratio of game and forage fishes. In order to increase the possibility of eliminating the undesirable species in Buffalo Lakes, it will be necessary to treat the tributary stream and its impoundments on the V8 Ranch. The lake on the Johnson Rancr, located below the proposed new dam, should also be treated if permission can be obtsined to do so. Dropping the water levels of all three lakes as low as possible prior to treatment will be highly beneficial. Not only will it reduce cost of treatment, but exposing the lake bottom to sunlight and fresh air will condition and increase its fertility. Drop- ping the water level, especially in the upper lake, will also provide opportunities to construct fishing piers, boat docks, fish shelters, spawning beds for bottom-nesting game fishes, and to clean seining beaches for future surveys and rough fish controls. If the lakes are treated and restocked, as recommended, fishing should be prohibited for one year. After the stocked fish nave had an opportunity to spawn during the spring following stocking, another fisheries survey will be conducted to determine the most feasible time to resume fishing in Buffalo Lakes. Prepared by _ Leo D. Lewis _... Approved by Cpt ew Sf ge ; Project Leader Director Inland Fisheries Division Date July 8, 1959. --- Page 8 --- Table 1. Water Quality of Buffalo Lakes, Lubbock, Texas. Pe o _ Hardness & =~ i . a - as CaCo3 8 & & 3 8 => 8 DR 3 - ~ 8 22 g@27 288 > 8SGe Fr 3 : ra @o rl lomm®) Oo 09] ~ —“~ — oO oO oO Fy Oo n p (2) u ie) oO & pal oO oS hd wn ~~ ~ Bi ow oO | oe wa ~ § a+ 3) oO — ~ Le] Sg ae) on Ori © ~ Oo ~ gd oO o o ° 3 4 yO ‘nal © 5 Of go g a Pc) a — ~p bi q oO So va tN ro) Da! (9) s ) & {‘s) u uu <3) oO ec oO @ Qu m4 oon ae oO S A 8 Q w w Oo ce) Ba 79) oO oO Pp =| @O ° oo ca a tet) Oo SD hy 3) ca co 3 ~P na Pp g [a] o (ORS) is ad p al ow g 0 ed ( oa 3 a co oo a (e) ie} A A a fon Qo @ un o na oO AQ io) o Fes ze A ca = Mar. 4, 1952 46 2.35 8.2 2,320 2.6 63 132 250 0 390 421 335 5.0 2.0 1,400 700 380 Apr. 3, 1952 58 1.88 8.5 2,940 10.0 84 lke 321 14 363 503 458 1.0 1,710 794 472 Apr. 30, 1952 69 22.5 8.6 2,230 7.4 ho 131 248 17 307 430 318 2.0 1,340 638 358 June 10, 1952 81 0.12 July 2, 1952 73 0.22 Aug. 5, 1952 83 0.18 8.5 2,200 43.0 40 12h 2h7 17 324 371 328 4.8 1,330 610 316 Sept. 3, 1952 75 0.29 8.4 2,170 38.0 42 123 245 13 367 352 320 5.8 1,320 611 289 Oct. 6, 1952 64 0.50 8.4 2,240 29.0 62 127 2h8 14 423 375 320 5.6 1,390 676 306 Nov. 5, 1952 58 0.61 8.4 2,230 30.0 62 128 247 16 426 373 318 5.8 1,390 681 306 Dec. 2, 1952 iz 3.20 8.5 2,400 12.0 ko bh 282 18 344 475 355 4.8 1,500 697 385 Mar. 4, 1953 50 4.37 8.6 2,560 6.0 48 153 290 22 367 494 370 9.0 1,570 749 412 Apr. 14, 1953 60 2.02 8.5 2,620 7.7 50 158 296 22 375 516 375 11.0 1,620 774 430 June 10, 1953 0.25 8.4 2,570 129 266 17 473 430 372 =~ 4.5 1,590 812 396 Aug. 3, 1953 88 0.21 8.5 3,040 19.0 52 189 371 24 406 645 460 6.4 5.8 1,970 906 534 Sept. 10, 1953 64 0.13 8.4 2,490 36.0 58 147 287 18 471 371 388 5.2 12.0 1,550 7Th9 333 Nov. 30, 1953. 52 1.96 1,850 14.0 324 238 1.5 Jan. 21, 1954 38 1.83 8.4 2,050 8.6 47 114 227 14 327 372 282 4.8 1,230 586 294 Mar. 18, 1954 47 1.88 8.5 2,350 6.8 49 138 279 17 371 483 325 3.5 1,480 690 358 Percent sodium --- Page 9 --- Table 2. Percentage Composition by Numbers and Weights of Fish Collected by Gill Nets from Buffalo Lakes, Inc. Species Carpsucker Golden shiner Channel catfish Black bullhead Black bass Green sunfish Bluegill sunfish White crappie Totals Number 215 a8 13 241 99 567 % of Number 37-9 6.1 2.3 42.5 0.9 0.2 9-7 0.4 100.0 Weight (lbs.) 562.8 Not worked up 9.7 Not worked up 17.7 Not worked up Not worked up 0.5 990.7 % of Weight 95.28 0.08 100.00 --- Page 10 --- Table 3. Relative Abundance of Species Taken by Seine Common Name Carpsucker Black bass Black bullhead Bluegill sunfish Green sunfish Orangespotted sunfish Redear sunfish Redhorse shiner Fathead minnow Golden shiner Mosquitofish Channel catfish Crappie Buffalo Lakes, Inc. Scientific Name Carpiodes carpio Micropterus salmoides Ameiurus melas Lepomis macrochirus Lepomis cyanellus Lepomis humilis Lepomis microlophus Notropis lutrensis Pimephales promelas Notemigonus crysoleucas Gambusia Ictalurus punctatus Pomoxis annularis s and Gill Nets in the Relative Abundance abundant common abundant abundant rare common rare very abundant rare common rare rare rare --- Page 11 --- %0° OOT 19S sTeqor “re Oe = YstZ omen T°OT T6 UsTy eBe10g %t° OR 9St usts ysnoy 0°O0T 19S 00° O0T OLT 00°O0T HET 00° O0OT E92 STBqOT, t°O Z QT°T 27 - fe) - re) etddero aqtyM L°6 GS 62° ST 92 €2°2 € 69°6 92 yustjuns [TTSentg Z°0 T - ) $L°0 T - fe) ystguns useip 6°0 G - @) - fo) 06°T G sseq yoeTg G°eH THz 99° SE 19 LE*SL TOT 40° 0€ 6L peeyting yoeTg €°2% €T Ge°2 4 GL°O T O°’ g UsTs7e89 Toauueyy T°9 GE LL°T € - fe) LT°eT Ze tautTys ueptop 6° LE Gt2 €S°oh tL 06°02 92 96° sh Cir tayonsdize9 Taqunyt Jo % zequny qaquny Jo % qequnyy aaqumy jo % iaqunyy arequngy Jo % zaquny satoedg SoyeT saeTGL Te Jo Teqo], eye] PATUL aye] puodsag axel 4SItq "@S6T “ee Ttady ‘sqtnsey BurqqeN TITD ‘our ‘sayey oTeying ° 4 eTaBy °6 --- Page 12 --- “OAV aesuey LG. ‘TE SeW-95. ‘T eune (aeS1equn) eyeT oTesjng oyeT ULIM pezedm0g se ‘out ‘sayey oTeyyng ut yueserg seftosdg fo uoTYTpUOD jo yUSTOTJJE09 g9°2 49°2 ° SAY LG. ‘TE £eW-9S, ‘T sung O2°€ = 09°T O2°€ - OT’? 09°Z - O2°2 0S°2 - O¢’a Og°T - OT°T OT’S - OS°T One - 02°? O£°€ = OO°S esuey UOTSIOAT oyeT eo’ =OOLE = 09°2 Ge-E =— «OEE =-—«OOG°S eL°s = OTE = “ONS 06°2 OO0°E - Og'Z LL°T 09°S = OS°T G9°T O06°T - OS°T €o°€ os - 00°2? H9°S =OETE = “OFS "OAV esuey Q@S6T Ttady UBUETPPH SYST Gee Ss «OLE = OBE GT°E §=—OHE ~~ COE OAV esuey QgS6T TTady ‘our ‘sexey oTesing "aye OTeyIng pue uoTsreaTqd eye] ‘ueMeTppT “OT ar MN 6eT 98 “ON soTemeg SoTeN aftddero aqtym solT ema SseTen sseq yoReTg soT Bulag SoTeW ystgqeo Teuueyy soTeneg SoTeW adayonsdzey gsatoada °G aTaBL --- Page 13 --- die Table 6, Buffalo Lakes, Inc. - Stomach Analysis. Total Food Item No. Times of Occurrence No. Identified Black Bass Golden shiner 1 1 Black bullhead 1 1 Channel Cat Sunfish 1 2 Fish remains 2 3 7 Black Bullhead Snails 2 7 ‘Freshwater shrimp 2 2 Insect larva 2 9 # Fish eggs 1 ad rs Algae and plant fiber 2 27 --- Page 15 --- OPTION BOUNDARY OWNERSHIP BOUNDARY TRACT BOUNDARIES PROPOSED BOUNDARY PRoposEr RE LINE RODGERS § ETZ- 172 oF HUNDREDS 4 Ya MILE SCALE LEGEND VWVITIVTITITT 13 ACRES FEEr 10 N AREA - ACRES AERIAL MAP - BUFFALO LAKES RODGERS & ETZ 1395.3 LUBBOCK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE GEORGE ETZ 497.5 BUFFALO RECREATION LAKE COMMITTEE TOTAL 1892.8 LUBBOCK, TEXAS FOR RESALE 884.6 PARKHILL, SMITH COOPER, CONSULTING ENGINEERS. NET ACREAGE 1008.2