TPWD 1956 F-7-R-4 #201: Basic Survey and Inventory of Species Present, as well as Their Distribution in the Pease River, its Tributaries and Watershed within Wilbarger, Foard, Cottle, Motley,

--- Page 1 --- JOB COMPLETION REPORT State of TEXAS Project No. F7R4 Name; Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region 1-B. Job No. B-10 Title: Basic Survey and Inventory of Species Present, as well as Their Distribution in the Pease River, its Tributaries and Watershed within Wilbarger, Foard, Cottle, Motley, Floyd, and Brisco Counties, Texas. Period Covered: June 1, 1956 through May 31, 1957 ABSTRACT Fifty-two seine collections produced a total of 20,005 specimens for study. Twenty-four species, representing 7 families of freshwater fish were found to occur. Except in a few isolated holes near the river mouth, the Pease River is valueless for game fish at the present time. For the most part, the water is excessively salty, and the river bed is often dry and too shallow to maintain a game fish population. The fish population is comprised mostly of salt tolerant cyprinids and game wardens report extensive seining for these species by commercial bait dealers. Since the water is not suitable for municipal or irrigation purposes, the construction of an impoundment on the Pease River in the foreseeable future, for any purpose other than flood control, is unlikely. 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 labora- tory work and most of the field work on this job for the first five 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 express- ed to Dr. Carl Gray, Soils Scientist of Midwestern University and Wichita County Water Improvement Districts, for making the numerous water analyses during this study. Data on water volume were obtained from Mr. John Joernes, United States Geological Survey, Water Resources Branch, Wichita Falls. TECHNIQUES Sample stations were established at six points along the length of the Pease River. Eleven collections, approximately one month apart, were made at each sample 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 for- malin 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 Pease. Water was present at only one tributary during the study, and basic survey collections were taken from this station in addition to those on the river. On several occasions, data could not be obtained from some of the station either because --- Page 2 --- the river was dry, or because the river was flooded and could not be seined. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS North Pease River originates in northwestern Motley County and flows northeastwardly to just above the Motley-Hall County line, then continues south- eastwardly across northern Cottle County to its confluence with South and Middle Pease Rivers. Both the South and Middle Pease Rivers originate in western Motley County, flow northeastwardly to their convergence in east-central Cottle County, and continue to their confluence with North Pease River in northeastern Cottle County. After leaving Cottle County, the Pease River flows southeastwardly across the southwestern corner of Hardeman County, serves as a boundary line between south~ eastern Hardeman and northeastern Foard Counties, and continues across the northem section of Wilbarger County to its confluence with Red River. Headwater streams of the Pease River lie in Permian clays and sandstones, with abundant veins and stringers of crystaline gypsum. The sediments of Permian age outcropping along the Pease River form the Pease River Group and are considered to have been deposited in early-middle Permian time. On the north bank of the river at Lazare Station, and at an elevation nearly 100 feet above the present river level, are found extensive Pleistocene gravel deposits that are now being worked commercially. To the south of the river and only a few yards above the present river level occurs a well-consolidated conglomerate of unknown age. It seems to differ lithologically from Pleistocene gravels of the valley of the Pease and other northern Texas rivers, an no fossils of vertebrate animals were found in spite of rather intensive search. Downstream from Lazare Station, wind blown sands from numerous dunes and there are bluffs along the river that consist of reddish, sandy soil and contain remains of modern buffalos and other Recent animals. The Permian rocks form the river valley but Recent deposits cover the floodplain of the river itself. There are local deposits of late Pleistocene age, as at Vernon Station, containing remains of elephants and other mammals. Other deposits of apparently similar age are found near the river mouth. The U. S. Geological Survey discontinued its station on the Pease River in July 1947. Therefore, stream flow and run-off data are not available for the period of this survey. Data is available for the monthly and annual mean discharge and the monthly and annual run-off at Quanah Station from January 1924 to July 1947. (See Tables 1 and 2). DESCRIPTION OF SAMPLE STATIONS NORTH FORK STATION. Located on Highway 83 approximately 18 miles south of Childress, in Cottle County. The river here has cut a relatively narrow valley in Permian rocks. There is much shale, gypsum and silt. The river bed is braided sand and quite firm (not quicksand). The river was dry here most of the year, and collections were taken from isolated pools below cliffs on the north bank. MATADOR STATION. Located on Highway 70, approximately 12 miles west of Paducah, at the Motley-Cottle County line. The valley here is narrow and deeply-cut into Permian rocks. The river bed is braided sand and apparently dry most of the --- Page 3 --- time because grass grows well out on the river bed. Many trees grow along the river's edge, mostly elms and a few cottonwoods. Collections were made from a deep hole near the bridge, that apparently holds water for long periods of time. This station is the point farthest up the river that is worthy of maintaining as a station. Since this station was dry for the first 6 months of the study, it was discontinued in Nov- ember 1956, and replaced by South Fork Station approximately 25 miles downstream. SOUTH FORK STATION. Located on Highway 83 about 6 miles south of North Fork Station and 15 miles north of Paducah. This station is approximately 10 miles below the confluence of the Middle and South Forks of the Pease River. The river bed is similar to that of the North Fork, but the valley is narrower. Except during a period of heavy rain, in May 1957, this station was dry. A tree at least 10 feet high, in the middle of the river bed, indicates a normally dry condition. LAZARE STATION. Located about 12 miles south of Kirkland and near the very small town of Lazare. The confluence of the North and South Forks of the Pease occurs about 3 miles upstream. Approaching this station from the north, one descends through a series of cut terraces in Permian sediments. Deposits on the north bank are sand- stone, shale, gypsum and dolamite. To the south the rise is more gradual, and much of it is through a gravel and conglomerate series of many yards thickness. This mat- erial appears entirely non-fossiliferous. The river bed is broad and of braided sand. Running water was present each time this station was worked. QUANAH STATION. Located on Highway 283, approximately 15 miles south of Quanah. This station is in a valley cut into Permian silt, sandstone and dolamitic limestone. To the north, in the direction of Quanah, the land rises greatly in level after level of terraces cut into Permian sediments. No Pleistocene and little Recent, even on highest level. The river bed is quite broad, of braided sand, and rather muddy. Running water was not always present, but there were several large pools from which a collection could always be obtained. WEST VERNON STATION. Located on Highway 287, about 3 miles northwest of Vernon. The valley is broad and shallow with bluffs of bedded materials, mostly flood- plain sand, on the north side. The river bed is very wide and braided, with the flood level approaching one-half mile in width. Bed is sand and quicksand. Very little streamside vegetation except salt cedar. When the stream was not flowing, there were deep holes (up to 6 feet in depth) under the bridge from which collections were taken. VERNON STATION. Quite similar to West Vernon Station and within sight of it. Located on Highway 203, immediately north of Vernon. This station was discontinued in January 1957, because it was not different enough from the West Vernon Station. ‘Tt was set up as a station originally because it was thought to be below the sewage plant, it was discontinued and a new station (East Vernon) was set up below the effluent ditch. EAST VERNON STATION. Located about 2 miles east of the city of Vernon and about one-half mile below the sewage effluent ditch. The river is quite often dry, except for the water provided by the sewage plant effluent. When the river is flowing, fish species similar to those of the stations further upstream may be found here. When the river is not flowing, fish are trapped in stagnant pools of sewage water and usually die. There are signs of bank fishing farther downstream (probably for carp). Tracks and other indications of commercial bait seining are evident between this sta- tion and the mouth of the river. --- Page 4 --- SHORES CREEK. Located 3 miles north of North Fork Station on Highway 83. This creek is in a narrow canyon with steep walls. The creek consists of standing holes of water 50 to 200 feet long connected by seeping stream flow. Bottom is sandy and rocky with thin covering of silt. There is no vegetation in.the canyon, and the walls have jutting rocks heavily laced with stringers of gypsum. Rocks and snags in the creek bed made seining very difficult. Only Hybognathus and Pimephales promelas were taken at this station. Physical data: Air - 72; Water - 57; Turbidity - 500 plus Chemical data: .. ca. na. cl. ‘sok co3 heo3 Total pH 1054 34 28 2h67 6 1h9 110 8.4 CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF WATER The chemical nature of water at the sample. stations is given in Table 3. Except during periods of rainfall and where it is diluted by sewage effluent from the city of Vernon, the water in the Pease River is too salty and "gypy" to support most species of freshwater fishes. The source of these natural polluting salts is probably springs whose waters have percolated through gypsum and halite beds of Permian age. POLLUTION No industrial waste was found to enter the Pease River. The only sewage effluent entering the river is from the city of Vernon. Water from this effluent was checked on''séveral otcasions..and was always found. to be well, treated, free of all solids, and clear. Treated water is carried from the treating plant in an enclosed pipe direc ly to the effluent ditch, where it falls onto large concrete blocks and flows approx- imately 400 feet to the river. Frogs, turtles and algae were observed in the ditch. When water is flowing in the river at this point, it is actually improved by the treat- ed sewage water. When the river is not flowing and diluting the sewage effluent, it is quite common to find sick and dead fish (mostly carp, carpsucker, bullhead catfish and native minnows) in the river and along the banks. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Physical conditions at sample stations are shown in Table 4. For the purpose of this survey,, turbidity was measured with a secchi disk. Measurements were made in deepest water found at the station. Frequently, the disk was clearly visible on the bottom, in which case the turbidity was recorded as the depth of the water "plus". FISH COLLECTIONS A total of 24 species, representing 7 families of freshwater fishes was taken from the Pease River during the segment period. Monthly variations in species and numbers of fishes taken at each of the sample stations are given in Tables 5 through 11. The total numbers of fishes taken at all of the permanent sample stations along the river are giver in Table 12. There were 20,005 specimens collected from the seven permanent sampling stations. --- Page 5 --- Family Clupeidae Herrings Dorosoma cepedianum: gizzard shad. We took 66 specimens during the study, comprising 0.3% of the total. Family Catostomidae Suckers Carpiodes carpio: river carpsucker. Only 117 specimens were taken, all but one of which were captured near the river mouth, close to Vernon. Family Cyprinidae Shiners and Minnows Cyprinus carpio: carp. Twelve carp were collected, all at West Vernon Station. Hybopsis aestivalis: speckled chub. A total of 94 specimens was taken at 4 stations. Notropis percobromus: plains shiner. Sixteen specimens were taken at West Vernon and Quanah Stations. Notropis brazosensis: Brazos River shiner. Only 4 specimens were taken, all at West Vernon station, in December 1956. Notropis potteri: chub shiner. Although not numerous (0.39% of the total) this species was represented at all but 2 stations during the study. It was not taken at South Fork Station )dry except during floods) or at East Vernon Station where adequ- ate water was not present to dilute the sewage effluent. Notropis bairdi: Red River shiner. This, one of the most abundant species in the Pease River, was represented at every station and comprised 23.8% of the total. Notropis lutrensis: redhorse shiner. This is also one of the more numerous and widely distributed species in the Pease River. It was taken from every station and comprised 17.06% of the total. Notropis buchanani: ghost shiner. Occurred only at two stations, near the river mouth. It was taken at West Vernon station in August and September 1956, and at Vernon Station in August 1956. Hybognathus placita: plains minnow. Comprising 25.28% of the total, this widely distributed species was the most abundant of all fishes in the Pease River. It was not taken at East Vernon Station, but was found at all the other stations. Pimephales vigilax: parrot minnow. Eleven specimens were taken during the study, at Vernon and West Vernon Station. --- Page 6 --- Pimephales promelas: fathead minnow. Although not numerous, this species is widely distributed in the Pease, from the headwaters to its mouth. Family Ameiuridae Freshwater catfishes Ictalurus punctatus: channel catfish. A total of ten specimens was taken, all at West Vernon Station. Ictalurus melas: black bullhead. This species is not numerous, but well distributed in the Pease - especially in isolated holes. Family Cyprinodontidae Killifishes and topminnows Fundulus kansae;: plains killifish. The killifish is abundant in the Pease River and widely distributed. Cyprinodon rubrofluviatilis; Red River pupfish. Comprising 14.27% of the total, this salt tolerant species was taken at every sampling station. It was most abundant at Lazare Station, where the salinity was consistently high. Family Poeciliidae Mosquitofishes Gembusia. affinis: common mosquitofish. <A total of 59 specimens was taken from three stations. Noteworthy is the collection of one Gambusia at Lazare Station in March 1957 when the chloride measurement was next-to-the highest recorded during the entire segment period (13,764 p.p.m.). All of the other specimens of Gambusia were obtained at Vernon and West Vernon Stations. Family Centrarchidae Black basses and sunfishes Micropterus salmoides; largemouth bass. Only 7 specimens were taken - one at Quanah Station and 6 at West Vernon Station. Lepomis cyanellus; green sunfish. Although not abundant, this salt tolerant sunfish was taken at all but one station. It was absent from only the polluted waters of East Vernon Station. Lepomis macrochirus;: bluegill. Not numerous, but widely distributed. Lepomis humilis: orangespotted sunfish. A total of 99 specimens was taken at 3 stations. Lepomis megalotis:; longear sunfish. Fleven specimens were taken at Vernon and West Vernon Stations. --- Page 7 --- Pomoxis annularis;: white crappie. Nine specimens taken, one from Quanah Station and 8 at West Vernon. , Prepared by: Leo D. Lewis Approved by WW pea a Project Leader Chief Aquatic Biologist Date; August 7, 1957 --- Page 8 --- 8. Table 1. Monthly and Annual Mean Discharge at Quanah Station. (Drainage area, 3,037 square miles, of which 559 square miles is probably noncontributing) . Year Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. March April May June July Aug, Sept. Annual 1924 - - - 10.9 4.97 46.8 99.2 11.4 330 1182 =—-435 579 “ 1925 19.4- 0.35 1.63 19.4 4.99 .62 389 1127 51.4 85.3 41160 1063 329 1926 167 ho.4 =. 23 -TL 1.19 35.8 615 105 95.4 266 24.8 451 150 1927 - - - 60.7 18.7 6.25 H7«S «LET 161 18.9 7-16 74.2 - 1928 34.4 0.5 LO 1.0 5.0 ) 2.2 77. 160 197 164 5.6 62.4 1929 - - ~ ~ - - - - - ~ - - 152 1930 94.6 28.9 3.10 11.3 18.3 47.3 120 69.4 .58 3.19 .88 39.7 33.5 1931 1172 20.6 271 16.1 90.3 32.9 81.5 55.0 377 12.8 64.3 Oo 184 1932 182 93.0 63.6 7TH.3 «12.1 53 220 155 2367 = B45 331 184 372 1933 3.86 0 331 11.8 8.19 13.1 202 288 5.10 588 Sah 379 182 1934 81 13.6 9.07 5.87 1.36 20.9 12.3 76.5 128 17-3 311 375 81.0 1935 209 29.5 .81 Ah 1.22 4.95 911 4116 634 90.2 481 173 58h 1936 159 26.8 20.3 11.5 9.51 7:79 9.17 195 86.2 60.9 .99 3563 341 1937 42.5 17-3 16.3 14.0 3.01 3.43 35.4 4.38 640 85.0 1081 281 223 1938 317 14.1 867.39 3.51 23.8 64.7 31.9 563 1616 112 128 6.09 2ho 1939 40.8 33.3 1.64 211 3.14 88.6 295 185 1530 296 273 .02 222 1940 65.3 .03 2.56 2.54 11.2 -16 136° 213 28.1 13.0 830 108 119 1941 39.1 115 1.25 5.33 (19.4 31.8 TAS hook =65531 0137 867 572 1013 1942 2018 111 84.2 38.2 20.0 19.5 1150 60.0 15.5 21.2 36.6 556 346 1943 324 26.2 28.8 23.4 9.38 8.55 69.4 359 46k 12.0 0 6.20 111 1944 8.77 4.37 0 ©6.18.2 16.7 14.9 11.1 6.33 91.3 564 43.4 55.7 68.4 Th .7 1945 33.9 10.1 27.9 19.4% 13.5 16.4 26.8 3.61 76.4% 1030 258 52.9 133 1946 34.0 6.52 5.08 12.9 7.15 1.68 0.63 58.4 331 Wk.O = 332.3 BTL 116 1947 867 34.4 28.5 15.1 4.38 8.18 69.1 2430 57.9 - - - - Note: All discharge is measured in cubic feet per second. --- Page 9 --- 9. Table 2. Monthly and Annual Run-off at Quanah Station. (Drainage area, 3037 square miles of which 559 square miles Year Oct. Nov. Feb. March April May June July Aug. Sept. Annual 192h 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 19he 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1,190 10, 300 2,120 5, 820 72,070 11,180 237 50 5.4 9,790 2,610 19,510 2,510 4,020 2,410 124,100 19,920 539 2,090 2,090 53 330 20.8 2,410 29.8 1,720 1,230 D930 2.4 806 1,750 1,590 1,030 840 1,980 2.0 6, 820 6,630 1,560 260 603 388 2,050 191 16,640 3,910 20 , 330 558 50 1,250 1,000 455 LOL 157 TT 5,180 1,770 1,120 1,710 313 1,750 133 928 286 277 66 1,040 288 1,020 5,020 696 455 76 68 547 167 1, 320 LTD 6h 1,080 1,110 521 858 ‘(52 397 243 1,290 30, 410 211 3,980 5,450 9.7 1,950 1,200 526 680 1,010 104 503 9,900 23,120 36,600 2, 840 131 7,140 4,850 13,090 1.2 734 54,220 545 2,110 1,900 57 8,090 kh, 310 68,430 4,130 STU 1,600 37 4,110 702 69,270 6,440 7,170 10,520 4,270 3,380 7,070 17,700 4 , 700 253,100 11,970 26, 950 34,600 11,400 13,090 251, 700 3,690 22 ,070 5,610 222 3,590 149,400 19,600 3,060 5,680 9,570 9,520 35 22,430 140, 800 303 7,590 375 750 35130 58,090 96,150 91,040 1,670 329,100 920 27,640 33,560 4,550 19,670 3,440 72,650 39250 16, 380 1,160 12,140 196 787 51,970 36,130 1,060 5,540 3, THO 5,220 6, 860 18,170 800 8,40 1,300 735 2,670 63, 320 2,710 26, 700 TL, 340 1,520 4LO 10,100 5h 3,950 20 , 370 32,240 19,130 29,590 61 66,480 7,880 16,810 51,010 535320 2,250 ) 3,420 15,860 1,980 345 63,270 26, 860 4420 333 236 @) 10,900 22,570 22,290 10, 320 212,000 16, 730 362 1.0 6,400 34,010 33 ,080 369 4,070 3,150 51,850 238,100 108, 500 45,300 110,000 2h, 300 133,400 270,100 131,500 58,640 422 , 800 24-7, 800 161,500 174,100 160, 700 86,050 733,500 250,200 80, 680 54.190 96,060 83,920 a meena mreraeeeaeeeeeeniremnareemaceeneareerreeeereeeenenmnenmememmemmmenemmetmmemnemamenmnnenemenmmnnrmenmmmnnmennnen se rnreeeee RR NNTTEE ECT TOE Ee Te Note: All run-off is measured in acre feet, eee --- Page 10 --- 10. Table 3. Chemical Nature of the Water at the Sample Station. Total Date Calcium Sodium Chloride Sulfate Carbonates Bicarbonates Salts pH NORTH FORK STATION 6/19/57 216 300 505 382 0 102 1505; 7/11/56 732 1050 1597 LTLT 6) 61 5187 - 8/22/56 878 1173 1864 1939 fe) 124 5978 —s«7.4 9/15/56 90h, 1683 3461 874 @) 162 7084 7.15 11/27/56 156 2423 3852 1548 6) 157 8736 7.8 12/27/56 864 1709 3160 1228 fe) 180 T1412 88.3 1/9/57 1120 1919 = 2973 2539 18 134 8703 8h 2/7/57 1020 1664 2734 2093 12 14h 7667 8.0 3/26/57 784 1617 2521 1743 9 108 6782 7.78 4/12/57 828 1632 2570 1824 6 108 6968 7.75 5/2h/57 704 2457 3873 1459 12 132 8637 7.80 MATADOR STATION 6/19/56 300 140 200 538 fe) 5h 1232 - 7/11/56 624 498 809 1320 0) 158 3409 - 8/22/56 dry 9/15/56 ary 11/27/56 = ary SOUTH FORK STATION 12/27/56 = ary 1/9/57 dry 2/7/57 dry 3/26/57 dry 4/12/57 dry 5/24/57 292 121 195 590 6 116 1320 7-97 LAZARE STATION 6/19/56 300 560 950 516 @) 108 23h - 7/11/56 992 3250 5059 2328 ) 122 11751_—sé- 8/22/56 2195 9246 14697 4531 6) 216 30884 7.25 9/15/56 1318 5829 10895 471 ) 162 18675 7.65 11/27/56 1536 6565 10206 3446 0) 183 21936 «77.7 12/27/56 1672 7515 11804 3600 ) 168 23759 «8.4 1/9/57 2048 8150 12780 522 18 122 27640 8.5 2/7/57 2082 8333 12958 4738 18 126 28255 8.1 3/26/57 1634 8232 =. 13 764 2367 12 132 26141 7.70 4/12/57 1592 8190 12567 3811 6 126 26292 = 7.55 5/2/57 426 891 1530 730 0) 110 3687 ~=—s-: 7.87 --- Page 11 --- Table 3. (Continued). “SO ae ute Calcium Sodium Chloride Sulfate Carbonates Bicarbonates Salts pH $e QUANAH STATION 6/19/56 928 1600 2911 1h64 @) 230 7133 7 7/11/56 640 1500 2547 1160 0 92 5939 “ 8/22/56 278 150 195 634 ) 104. 1361 7.3 9/15/56 3hh 220 343 662 6) 204 1773 7.80 11/27/56 756 1887 2787 1709 6) 344 74.83 7-6 12/27/56 1204 2887 5015 2035 6) 126 11267 8.3 1/9/57 1428 2814 4h38 3173 18 124 11995 8.2 2/7/57 1508 3341 5503 3015 12 150 13529 8.1 3/26/57 1128 3213 52ho 2199 9 134 12923 7.60 4/12/57 936 1581 = 2734 1764 6 96 7117 ~—s«7..81 5/24/57 22h 182 327 384 6 102 1225 8.03 WEST VERNON STATION —————— 6/19/56 816 1250 2157 1497 fe) 198 5918 ie 7/11/56 308 345 639 509 fe) 110 19lli- 8/22/56 248 180 231 590 ) 90 1339 =: 77.8 9/15/56 302 162 238 624 0) LA5 L471 7.65 11/27/56 588 936 1456 1205 ) ahh 4hueag 8.0 12/27/56 332 h52 682 720 6) 126 2312 8.3 ‘9/57 696 896 1430 1373 30 ohh 4669 = 8.1 457 796 1089 1669 1714 18 2ho 5526 7.8 3/26/57 1046 3654 5630 2400 12 1he 12884 7.80 4/12/57 500 603 1044 Qh 6 126 3220 7.92 5/24/57 230 143 277 413 6 72 1141 8.00 VERNON STATION 6/19/56 952 1500 = 2574 1834 0 128 6988 - 7/11/56 192 156 355 2ho 6) 85 1028 i= 8/22/56 22h 126 160 518 fe) 8h 1112 7.5 9/15/56 456 816 1598 643 ) 186 3699 =—s-'7.75 11/27/56 620 975 1527 1344 9) 157 4623 7.9 EAST VERNON STATION 1/7/57 32h 368 632 585 fe) 132 2041 88..3 1/23/57 180 180 204 96 30 kok 1184 7.4 2/7/57 134 180 160 6h 0 522 1060s 7.4 3/26/57 930 2205 3841 1512 18 126 8632 8.0 4/12/57 298 309 487 1834 12 183 3123 += 8.0 --- Page 12 --- Table 4. Date 6/19/56 7/11/56 8/22/56 9/15/56 11/27/56 12/27/56 1/9/57 2/7/57 3/26/57 4/12/57 5/24/57 6/19/56 7/11/56 8/22/56 9/15/56 11/27/56 12/27/56 1/9/57 2/7/57 3/26/57 4/12/57 5/24/57 6/19/56 7/11/56 8/22/56 9/15/56 11/27/56 12/27/56 1/9/57 2/7/57 3/26/57 4/12/57 5/2h/57 12. Physical Conditions at the Sample Stations. Air Temp. 99 99 dry dry dry ary ary ary dry 76 99 oT 1oh 68 64 5L ko 33 19 Water Temp. NORTH FORK STATION 86 82 72 81 52 48 5h 50 52 47 69 MATADOR STATION 88 91 SOUTH FORK STATION 70 LAZARE STATION 86 TT a 86 46 46 29 52 22 dh 67 Turbidity (mm.) 15 100 100 - very low - not running 210 - much reduced 600 622 - not running, holes only 666 808 1000 plus 755 160 oo) 35 ho 35 120 185 500 - running, but very shallow 1000 plus 1000 plus 1000 plus 1000 plus 1000 plus 1000 plus 4O - (Water too high and swift to seine efficiently). --- Page 13 --- Table 4. 13. Physical Conditions at the Sample Stations (Continued). teen Date Air Temp. Water Temp. Turbidity (mm.) net niente 6/19/56 7/11/56 8/22/56 9/15/56 11/27/56 12/27/56 1/9/57 2/7/57 3/26/57 4/12/57 5/24/57 6/19/56 7/11/56 8/22/56 9/15/56 11/27/56 _ 27/56 1/9/57 2/7/57 3/26/57 4/12/57 5/24/57 6/19/56 7/11/56 8/22/56 9/15/56 11/27/56 12/27/56 1/9/57 2/7/57 3/26/57 4/12/57 5/24/57 95 81 81 73 97 19 104 77 59 43 te) 38 65 5h. 53 48 55 43 y) Water to high to seine. QUANAH STATION 135 20 - raining heavily 60 - muddy from recent rain 170 - much reduced in area 360 360 260 1000 plus 765 290 WEST VERNON STATION 93 81 72 73 90 75 90 TT 4S 39 ho 37 64. 5h ie) A7 5h 39 34 dh ‘Yd: 7 88 81 19 73 90 72 90 77 50 he he 37 VERNON STATION 520 60 - raining heavily 120 - recently rained 95 - much reduced in area 3 665 2h0 320 330 2h0 60 - High water prevented seining. Still rising. 390 hO - recently rained 75 - recently rained 210 - much reduced 370 455 EAST VERNON STATION 56 53 dry 51 39 dry 380 310 Station inaccessible - roads washed out --- Page 14 --- 14. Table 5. Monthly Variation in Species and Numbers of Fishes at North Fork Station, Pease River. of Species 6/19 7/11 8/22 9/15 11/27 12/27 1/9 2/7 3/26 4/12 5/24 Total Total N. potteri 1 i OF N. bairdi 20 4 179 60 61 22 he 388 = 25.33 N. lutrensis 2 7 7 34 79 Ye a7 ll 23 21 205: 13.38 Hybognathus 7. 209 224 2h 10 12 16 7 8 581 37.92 P. promelas 9 3 #& 16 1.04 F. kansae lL 2 12 21 33 8 10 4H 7 98 6.40 Cyprinodon 46 17 61 9 ak 3 63 223 14.56 L. cyanellus Lo 1 2 13 7 2 18 1.17 L. macrochirus 2 2 0.13 Total 4 148 220 267 295 12h 198 75 113 10 78 1532 100.00 % of Total 0.3 9.7 14.4.17.3 19.3 8.1 12.94.9 7.4 .6 5.1 100.00 --- Page 15 --- 15. Table 6. Monthly Variation in Species and Numbers of Fishes at Matador Station and South Fork Station, Pease River. * % ** Ke HH OHH HE KK ? of Species 6/19 7/11 8/22 9/15 11/27 12/27 1/9 2/7 3/26 4/12 5/2h Total ‘Total N. bairdi 1 4 5 1.45 N. lutrensis 62 21 83 2h .06 Hybognathus 30 9 kg 88 25.51 P. promelas 9 16 25 7-25 I. melas 21 ho 1 62 17.97 F. kansae 33 33 9.56 L. cyanellus 14 21 ; 35 10.14 Total 169 108 68 345 100.00 % of Total 49.0 31.3 19.7 100.00 rn * Matador station dry. ** South Fork Station dry. Note: Matador station discontinued in November - replaced by South Fork Station. _ --- Page 16 --- 16. Table 7. Monthly Variation in Species and Numbers of Fishes at Lazare Station, Pease Rive Species Dorosoma Hybopsis N. potteri bairdi lutrensis Hybognathus F. kansae Cyprinodon Gambusia _pareonowaaer TaN NETS L. cyanellus Tr. N. Total % of Total of 6/19 7/11. 8/22 9/15 11/27 12/27 1/9 2/7 3/26 4/12 5/2k Total Total 36 108 182 34h 1 > el 1 15 1 16 82 206 TX) 26 «031 37 105 55 1 121 215 307 1.5 2.6 3.8 673 50 265 1013 12.4 1066 k 492 370 1932 23.6 121 166 45k 743 9.1 al 865 135 L021 12.5 193 D902 481 1227 15.0 350 363 499 1212 14.8 45 1 2 10 2505 3 393 2669 2591 i 2 8180 -O1 -06 .12 30.62 -O4 4.80 32.63 31.67 -O1 .02 99.98 100.00 --- Page 17 --- 17. ble 8. Monthly Variation in Species and Numbers of Fishes at Quanah Station, Pease River. * of Species 6/19 7/11 8/22 9/15 11/27 12/27 1/9 2/7 3/26 4/12 5/2h Total Total Dorosoma 1 25 1 27 -69 Carpiodes 1 1 -03 Hybopsis 2 13 5 2 23 59 N. percobromus 3 2 5 213 N. potteri 1 15 1 17 43 N. bairdi 11 4 23 46k 861700 53 257 908 23.20 N. lutrensis 27 16 18 8 9 jl 102 62 7 320 «8.18 Hybognathus 111 38 276 301 374 542-352 66 192 251 2503 63.91 P. promelas 2 1 3 08 T. melas 5 1 6 215 F. kansae 22 20. «7 2 dl a 55 1 AL Cyprinodon 1 2 1 4 10 Micropterus 1 1 03 L. cyanellus 11 8 6 1 26 °~=>—- 66 L. macrochirus 2 2 605 L. humilis 3 9 12 231 Pomoxis 1 1 -03 Total 176 89 317 378 852 568 493 211 312 518 3914 99.98 % of Total L5 2.3 8.1 9.7 21.8 14.512.6 5.4 8.0 12.2 99.9 sar ne nse einreereen vn pues es se * Seining attempted, but produced nothing. Water too high, swift and muddy. --- Page 18 --- 18. Table 9. Monthly Variation in Species and Numbers of Fishes at West Vernon Station, Pease River. % % of Species 6/19 7/11 8/22 9/15 11/27 12/27 1/9 2/7 3/26 4/21 5/24 Total Total Dorosoma 5 3 20 1 4 33 -68 Carpiodes 1 21 63 9 oh. 1.95 Cyprinus 2 6 4 12 625 Hybopsis. 1 4 2 1 1 9 18 N. percobromus 4 2 1 4 11 23 N. brazosensis h h .08 NV. potteri 1 5 29 3 2 ko 83 WV. bairdi 5 126 8678 87 =323)—C oa 5 635 13.16 WN. lutrensis 38 17 136 201 kL 69 138 1262 188 195 2285 47.36 N. buchanani 80 26 106 2.20 Hybognathus 27 7 11 482 «19 158 26 548 57 1335 27.67 P. vigilax 6 2 8 16 f. promelas 2 9 11 223 TI. punctatus 1 6 3 10 21 I. melas 1 hO 8=—-3 64 1.33 F. kansae 3 1 h -08 Cyprinodon 2 10 2 14 .29 Gambusia 1 11 9 1 22 46 Micropterus 1 2 3 6 ” L. cyanellus 3 T 2 18 30 ea LT. macrochirus 6 1 2 2 3 14 .29 LL. humilis 2 6 6 19 ak 2 1 60 1.24 L. megalotis 2 5 1 2 10 -21 Pomoxis 1 1 2 k 8 16 Total 59 85 304 426 665 189 465 1617 751 264 4.825 100.00 % of Total 1.2 1.8 6.3 8.8 13.8 3.9 9.6 33.5 15.6 5.5 100.00 * River at flood stage. Impossible to seine. --- Page 19 --- 19. ole 10. Monthly Variation in Species and Numbers of Fishes at Vernon Station, Pease River. Species 6/19 7/11 8/22 9/15 11/27 12/27 Total 4% of Total Dorosoma 3 1 1 5 42 Carpiodes 13 8 1 22 1.83 Hybopsis 4 50 3 57 4.75 N. potteri 10 10 .83 N. bairdi 16 8 263-36 323 26.94 N. lutrensis Ta 101 216 68 31 54 511 ho .62 N. buchanani 3 3 25 Hybognathus 11 16 28 9 90 3 157 13.09 P. vigilax 3 3 25 P. promelas 13 13 1.08 I. melas 5 3 8 -67 Cyprinodon 4 4 33 Gambusia 16 11 7 2 36 3.00 L. cyanellus 1 1 3 7 6 18 1.50 ZL. macrochirus a. 1 .08 L. humilis 4 9 5 9 27 2.25 L. megalotis 1 1 .08 tal 89 137 288 122 453 «110 1199 99.8 % of Total 74 11.4 2h.o 10.2 37.8 9.2 100.00 Note: Station discontinued in January - replaced by East Vernon Station. eee --- Page 20 --- 20. Table 11. Monthly Variation in Species and Number of Fishes at East Vernon Station, Pease River. ¥* HE HH Ke Species 1/9 2/7 3/26 4/12 5/2h Total % of Total N. bairdi 3 3 30.00 N. lutrensis 3 3 30.00 Cyprinodon 4 4 40.00 Total 10 10 100.00 * Five drags produced only one live fish (Hybognathus - very sick). Present in the water and along the bank were dead carp, carpsucker, bullhead catfish and minnows. The minnows were either too dehydrated or decomposed to identify. HX Sick carp and carpsucker observed. Water appeared too unsanitary to seine. Collected chemical and physical data only. *#** Considerable seining produced nothing. ¥*¥e*% River at flood stage - impossible to seine. --- Page 21 --- el. -able 12. Total Numbers of Fish Taken at the Pease River Stations. ea Ce eee Species North Matador and Lazare Quanah West Vernon East Total % of Fork South Fork Vernon Vernon Total Dorosoma 33 5 re) 1 27 ) 9) 66 33 Carpiodes oh 22 ©) 0 1 0 ) 117 58 Cyprinus 12 6) 0 0 ) ) ©) 12 06 Hybopsis 9 57 ) 5 23 0 0 oh AT N. percobromus 11 @) 0 ae) 5 @) ) 16 .08 N. brazosensis 4 @) ) ) @) ) ) 4 .02 N.potteri ho 10 6) 10 17 1 6) 78 239 N. bairdi 635 323 3 2505 908 388 5 4767 23.83 NV. lutrensis 2285 511 3 3 320 205 83 3410 17.06 N. buchanani 106 3 0) ) 0 0 0 109 ok Hybognathus 1335 157 0) 393 2503 581 88 5057 25.28 P. vigilax 8 3 0 0 0 0 0 11 .05 P. promelas 11 13 ) @) 3 16 25 68 34 T. punctatus 10 0 @) 0 @) ) fe) 10 05 T. melas 64 8 ) 0 6 ) 62 140 70 F. kansae 4 9) 0 2669 55 98 33 2859 14.29 Cyprinodon 1h 4 4 2591 4 223 14 2,854 14.27 Gambusia 22 36 ) 1 0 ) 0 59 .29 ‘Leropterus 6 @) ) ) 1 ) @) 7 203 uo. cyanellus 30 18 ) 2 26 18 35 129 64 L. macrochirus 1 1 @) @) 2 2 @) 19 .09 L. humilis 60 aT ) 0 12 0 ) 99 4g L. megalotis 10 1 fe) 0 0 0 6) 11 .05 Pomoxis 8 0 0) 0 1 ) 0 9 .O4 Total 4.825 1199 10 8180 3914 1532 345 20,005 99.97 % of Total 24.12 6.0 @) (+) 40.9 19.6 7.7 1.7 100.00 --- Page 22 --- SSeS <= oininiey eee —=_em om a= eae eemleane ao =o = oo @ Fy OKLAHOMA ' 4 id t ' 4 BRS ESS | @HiLoRESS 5 NSO ' HALL ! ) RIVE a t a) 1s 0 ry j - } Plg' as es So eben LL ay, a t Le | : y ‘ EF 0 t v 4 « cf ~ Ga, OYo" = ef i G@otTree We Pe ; FlLloybD aor AOS hg ‘ WILBARGER --- Page 23 --- Treated sewage effluent from the city of Vernon. This water is well treated, free of all solids and clear. Vernon's sewage effluent ditch just before entering river. Turtles, frogs and algae were observed in the ditch. --- Page 24 --- West Vernon Station under normal conditions. West Vernon Station during rise. --- Page 25 --- sec nm mers ohn . North Fork Station. River is usually dry here, and collections were taken from isolated pools below cliffs on the left. South Fork Station following recent rise. This is the only time during the segment that water was found to be present. Note tree growing in middle of river bed.