TPWD 1957 F-2-R-4 #282: Basic Survey and Inventory of Species Present and Their Distribution in Those Portions of the San Saba River within the Boundaries of Region 6-B and the Upper Portion i

--- Page 1 --- co = ' | eee | ~ JOB COMPLETION REPORT fF tar car Investigations Projects STATE OF TEXAS Project No. F2R4 Name Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region 6-B. Job No. B-17 Title Basic Survey and Inventory of Species Present and Their Distribu- tion in Those Portions of the San Saba River within the Bound- aries of Region 0-B and the Upper Portion in Region 3-B. Period Covered: February 1, 1956 through January 31, 1957. ABSTRACT Fifty-one seine, and twenty gill net collections produced a total of 19,817 specimens for study. Thirty-four species of fresh water fish were found to occur in the San Saba River. Rough and forage species are extremely abundant throughout the drainage. The game fish population was found to be inadequate, but no management prac- tices to increase this population appear feasible at this time. OBJECTIVES To gather fundamental data on these waters including their physical, chemical and biological aspects. To determine the fish species present, their relative abund- ance, and the ecological aspects influencing their distribution. TECHNIQUES Two collecting methods were used in sampling the fish population of the San Saba River. Seining produced the greatest number of specimens for study, while netting with experimental type gill nets proved more effective for collecting many of the larger fish species. A total of 51 seine and 20 gill net collections were made during the segment period. With the exception of April and November, 1956 and January, 1957 when no collections were made, three days a month were spent on the river. Thirty foot by six foot straight seines and 20 feet by 4 feet bobbinet seines were used in collecting the seined material, while experimental type gill nets, 125 feet by 8 feet were used exclusively to take the netted specimens. Random sampling was intended but due to limited access to the river, collecting stations were estab- lished, although these stations were sampled at irregular intervals. All material collected in seines was taken to the laboratory for identifica- tion and study. Netted specimens were identified, weighed, measured, and checked for gonadal development in the field. With each fish collection observations on bottom type, water temperature, veg- etation present, stream width, depth of water, available cover and physical descrip- tions of the immediate shoreline and surrounding country were made and recorded. --- Page 2 --- The chemical characteristics of the water were determined from water analyses at five stations and included dissolved oxygen, dissolved carbon dioxide, pH, and salinitv. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION The San Saba River rises in eastern Schleicher County and flows in a northeast- erly direction for approximately 100 miles to its confluence with the Colorado River on the San Saba-Mills County line. The river is confined to the hill country, or Edwards Plateau region of Texas. Thin limestone derived soils are characteristic of this area, with wool and mohair production providing the chief income. Vegetation is composed chiefly of short grasses, shin oak, and live oak with numerous pecans along the river bottom. Overy six years of drouth has reduced thousands of acres of this region to barren ground with only sparsely scattered grasses. With the lack of ground cover, the watershed of the river is susceptible to heavy topsoil wash with every rain. The river is fed from springs of the Edwards and associated limestones formation. With the exception of Clear Creek, all tributaries are intermittent, although numerous springs are present in at least the upper third of the river. Aquatic vegetation is heavy in the headwaters of the river but becomes quite sparse in the lower reaches. The principal aquatic forms are Myriophyllum sp., Chara sp., and several species of Potamogeton. Abundant cover is provided by aquatic vegetation, roots, logs and rock outcrops. WUndercut banks from water erosion also provide cover for a variety of species. The San Saba River floods periodically, and causes widespread damage to farms and cities along its course. Floods of 30 feet over normal water level are not un- common and one such rise took place during this segment period. The San Saba River valley is quite scenic throughout its course and draws a great number of anglers annually. Although there are few public parks on the river, camping and fishing privileges may be obtained from landowners either free or at very nominal fees. Because of its location on the fringe of the more arid West Texas region, the San Saba River serves many small stream anglers from West Texas. CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS Five water samples were taken and analyzed during the segment pericd. In addition, six dissolved oxygen determinations were run in May after a heavy rise had receded. The water of the Sen Saba River was found to be slightly alkaline, with an average PH of 7.7. With the exception of May, 1956, water quality was adequate to support fish life. On May 2, rains of up to eight inches on the watershed had caused heavy flood- ing on the entire river. On May 9, shortly after the water had receded to normal level, water analyses were made on five water samples taken between Menard and the headwaters. One complete analysis and four dissolved oxygen determinations were made. Two of the samples showed dissolved oxygen at three p.p.m. and three samples indicated less than one p.poM. There was evidence of a fish kill but the extent of the kill could not be immediately determined. --- Page 3 --- 36 Investiagation as to the cause of the oxyten deficiency revealed heavy con- centration of sheep and goat manure in the river bed. The watershed had received “ittle rainfall in many years and the eight inch rains washed several years accumula- son of Manure into the river. For nearly a month the water stayed a rich coffee-brown color, probably due to the decomposition of the tons of organic material. No fish were taken in seines during the May collecting period, although some fish were taken in gill nets. The water had cleared by June and for the remainder of the segment period, water quality was satisfactory. No evidence of mmicipal or industrial pollution was found during the study period. FINDINGS A total of 34 species representing ten families of fresh water fish were taken from the San Saba River during the segment period and a checklist of species included as Table 1. Most species are apparently distributed throughout the drainage but Gambusia sSp-, Etheostoma spectabile, and Etheostoma lepidum seemingly have a more limited dis- tribution. E. lepidum and E. spectabile were taken only in Schleicher and the western portions of Menard Counties. Gambusia Sp- was taken form one locality in Menard County. Rough and forage species excluding sunfish dominated the catch in both seine and net collections (Tables 2, 3, and 4). This group comprised 86.99% of the total pounds and 84.30% of the total numbers collected in gill nets. In the seine collections 95.11% of the collected material consisted of rough or forage species. Channel catifsh were the most abundant of the game species making up 5.64% of the total number and 8.89% of total weight taken in the net collections. The estimate of relative abundance (Table 1) is based entirely on material gathered by Texas Game and Fish Commission personnel. In Table 1, estimated relative abundance is shown by the following symbols: VA, very abundant; A, abundant; C, Common; and R, rare. If there is a noticeable shift in relative abundance between river sec- tions, these shifts are noted. Table 5 shows success of gill netting on the river in terms of both number and pounds of fish per net and foot of net. Map A through E present distribution by s@peies of the 34 species collected during the segment period. RECOMMENDATIONS Although the game fish population in the San Saba River is Limited, and is competing with an overwhelming rough fish population, little can be done to improve this condition at the present time. Several basic changes in the river are necessary before any management practices can be carried out. The primary need is for better soil man- agement on the watershed to prevent the runoff which destroys fish habitat and causes periodic fish kills. Second in importance is the need for a barrier to prevent rough fish from moving in to the San Saba River from the Colorado River. Two dams have been proposed for the San Saba River and if developed would prove effective fish barriers. --- Page 4 --- If a dam reaches the construction stage it would be advisable to carry out a short pre-impoundment survey to determine the status of the population at the time and plan a management program based on collections from this segment period and the pre~impoundment survey. — OR? Cy gts Prepared by John E. Tilton Approved by AOA pto3w! ACFE Assistant Project Leader Chief Aquatic Biologist Date May 21, 1957 --- Page 5 --- Table 1. Checklist of Species Found to Occur in the San Saba River. Scientific Name Lepisosteus osseus Dorosoma cepedianum Ictiobus bubalus Carpiodes carpio Moxostoma congestum Cyprinus carpio Notemigonus crysoleucas Notropis roseus Notropis venustus Notropis lutrensis Dionda episcopa Pimephales vigilax Pimephales promelas . Campostoma anomalum Ictalurus punctatus ictalurus natalis Pylodictus olivaris Gambusia affinis Gambusia sp. Roccus chrysops Micropterus punctulatus ' “ropterus treculi Micropterus salmoides Chaenobryttus gulosus Lepomis cyanellus Lepomis macrochirus Lepomis humilis Lepomis auritus Lepomis megalotis Pomoxis annularis Percina caprodes Etheostoma spectabile Etheostoma lepidum Cichlasoma cyanoguttatum Symbols: (M) - Taken only in Menard and Schleicher Counties Common Name longnose gar gizzard shad smallmouth buffalo river carpsucker gray redhorse sucker carp golden shiner eentral weed shiner spottail shiner redhorse shiner roundnose minnow parrot minnow fathead minnow stoneroller southern channel catfish yellow bullhead flathead catfish common mosquitofish Clear Creek mosquitofish white bass Kentucky spotted bass Texas spotted bass largemouth black bass warmouth green sunfish bluegill orangespotted sunfish yellowbelly sunfish longear sunfish white crappie Llogperch orangethroat darter greenthroat darter Rio Grande perch (CC)- Restricted to Portions of Clear Creek (SS)- Taken only in San Saba County Jd QAaaQ = >Pr YP Pr QP DQADWDQQAQADWDAQQQAQ2aADDWPrPADWAYrDy Estimate of Relative Abundance s (M) (M) --- Page 6 --- 6. Table 2. Number of Specimens taken in Seines from the San Saba River, February through December, 1956. Fish Species February March June July August September October Total Percent of Total L. osseus 3 20h 14 4 14 4 243 1.26 D. cepedianum 5 T 148 197 72 14 72 515 2.69 I. bubalus 52 5 37 4 0.49 Carpiodes carpio 1 169 4 11 7 1 193 1.01 M. congestum 1 1 0.0L Cyprinus carpio 1 29 26 16 1 73 0.38 N. crysoleucas 2 31 al 6 100 0.53 N. roseus 81 2 362 Ws. 2.32 N. venustus 92 2640 92 1271 191 715 5061 26.41 N. lutrensis 62 1314 4604 1 4.964. 19 10964 57.22 D. episcopa — 22 22 0.12 P. vigilax 7 al 2 30 0.15 P. promelas y i 4 9 0.05 C. anomalum 1 1 0.01 I. punctatus 6 1 8 i. 4 20 0.10 I. natalis 2 2 4 0.02 G. affinis 61 6 20 10 28 118 168 kid 2.15 Gambusia sp. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 R. chrysops 1 1 0.01 M. punctulatus 1 1 2 0.01 M. treculi 1 2 3 2 2 10 0.05 M. salmoides 4 11064 1 T 2 29 0.16 C. gulosus 2 z 3 6 0.03 L. cyanellus 56 50 30 T 27 217 387 2.02 L. macrochirus 59 4 50 57 174 92 436 2.27 L. humilis 2 1 3 0.02 L. auritus 2 . 3 5 0.02 L. megalotis ; 33 34 0.18 P. annularis 1 1 5 1 8 0.04 P. caprodes 6 6 0.03 E. spectabile a. 1 0.01 BE. lepidum 25 1 19 45 0.23 C. cyanoguttatum 2 2 0.02 Total 400 4o31l «5421 439 ©6448 722 1700 19161 100.00 es A A RR RS RE te A A AE UN RR tm Sm MA si amen meen etch nn Ant --- Page 7 --- Te Table 3. Number of Specimens taken in Gill Nets from the San Saba River, May through December, 1956. Fish Species May June July September December Total Percent of Total L. osseus 64 8 8 16 1 97 14.78 D. cepedianum WL 4 39 103 hg 236 35.98 I. bubalus 7 11 3 8 1 30 4.57 Carpiodes carpio 36 26 23 31 12 128 19.51 M. congestum 17 5 1 13 fe) 36 5.49 Cyprinus carpio ) 0 ) 12 4 16 2.44 N. crysoleucas @) ie) (@) 0) L 1 0.15 I. punctatus h 9 14 y 6 37 5.64 I. natalis fo) fo) t 6 1 8 1.22 P. olivaris ¢) 1 0 0 6) 1 0.15 M. salmoides 0 1 ©) 0 12 13 1.99 GC. osus 1 ) 2 0) 5 8 1.22 L. macrochirus 7 fe) 2 4 2 15 2.28 L. cyanellus 0 ©) 0 0 1 a 0.15 P. annularis 7 ) 9 9 3 28 i 27 A. grunniens fo) 1 fo) fo) fo) 1 0.16 Total 184 66 102 206 98 656 100.00 --- Page 8 --- Table 4. Pounds of Bach Fish Species Taken in Gill Nets from the San Saba River, May through December, 1956. Fish Species May June July September December Total Percent of Total L. osseus 203.44 31.13 11.56 12.00 1.56 259.69 28.16 D. cepedianum 20.25 2.50 . 22.06 38.25 11.00 Qh. .06 10.20 TI. bubalus 31.06 49.94 19.13 1.25 O4y 101.82 11.04 Carpiodes carpio 82.88 ho.4y 55.38 64.00 19.81 262.51 28.46 M. congestum 37.00 6.94 2.50 28.31 Th.75 8.10 Cyprinus carpio 3.31 2.81 6.12 0.67 N. crysoleucas 0.19 0.19 0.02 I. punctatus 12.56 10.75 41.06 6.25 11.44 82.06 8.89 I. natalis 0.56 1.31 0.31 2.18 0.24 ~. olivaris 1.38 1.38 0.15 M. salmoides 0.75 14.75 15.50 1.68 Cc. gulosus 0.13 0.38 1.69 2.20 0.24 L. macrochirus 1.06 0.38 0.38 0.25 2.07 0.22 L. ¢ ellus 0.13 0.13 0.02 P. Saree 2.69 5.50 5.56 3.06 16.81 1.82 A. grunniens 0.88 0.88 0.10 Totals 391.07 144.71 158.51 160.62 67 44 922.35 100.00 --- Page 9 --- 9. Table 5. Success of Gill Netting in Terms of Number and Pounds of Fish, May through December, 1956. eee Month Number Number Number Number Average Average Average Average No. Of Nets Of Foot Of Fish Lbs. Fish Number No. Fish/ No. Lbs. Lbs. Fish Set Net Set Caught Caught Fish/Net Ft. Of Net Fish/Net Per Ft. of Net May 4 500 184 391.07 46.0 0.36 97-77 0.78 June 4 500 66 14h. 71 16.5 0.13 36.18 0.29 July 4 500 102 158.51 25.5 0.20 39.63 0.32 September 4 500 206 160.62 51.5 O.4L 26.66 0.32 December h 500 98 67 4b 24.5 0.19 16.86 0.13 Totals 20 2,500 656 922.35 32.8 0.26 46.12 0.37 --- Page 10 --- 10. Picture 1. Typical riffle area of San Saba River, Menard County near Schleicher County line. Picture 2. Pool on Saba San River, four miles West of Menard, Menard County. --- Page 11 --- ll. Picture 3. San Saba River, Kings Crossing, 14 miles south- west of San Saba, San Saba County. Picture 4. San Saba River, Kings Crossing. --- Page 12 --- 12.. Picture 5. Erosion due to periodic flooding. This tree is standing approximatr - eight feet above no. 1 river level. San Saba River near San Saba, Texas Picture 6. Cut banks on San Saba River five miles west of Menard, Menard County. --- Page 13 --- Distribution of Species Family: LEPISOSTZIDAE @ ~=Lepisosteus osseus Family: CLUPEIDAE @ Dorosoma cenedianum Family: CATOSTOMIDAE @ = Ictiobus bubalus @ Carpiodes carpio Moxostoma congestum --- Page 14 --- Distribution of Species Family: CYPRINIDAE O Cyprinus carpio Notemigonus crysoleucas Notropis roseus Notropis venustus Notropis lutrensis --- Page 15 --- stutyge etsnque) © (jeer) seeTD) *ds etsnquen @ AVGIITIOOd §=+ AT Tweed STIPATTO SnYOTpoTAd ST[eyeu snunteqorl = @) snyeyound snaintezyoI © AVGIUNIGNY + AT Tweg unTeuoue wuoysodue) ® seTsuoid seTeydewtd X®TTITA soTeydeultd 2) edoostde epuotd 0) (*quoo) HVGINIWdAD AT TwWeY satoeds jo uotyngt14s Td --- Page 16 --- stttumy stwodseT Sugtyocuoey s tuode’] sn~t~Teueso stuodeT snsortns sn iqfarqouseyugQ soeptouces snzeqydoso TW T[nde1} snuaeqdoro TH snyertnyound snieqdoro tht HVCIHOUVELNAD *ATTWey sdosfayo snosooyu = aVGINvVawaS +=AT THe setoedg fo uotTynqtsz4s Td --- Page 17 --- Distribution of Species Family: CENTRARCHIDAE (cont.) @) Lepomis auritus @ Lepomis megalotis @) Pomoxis annularis Family: PERCIDAE @ Ppercina caprodes @® theostoma spectabile © theostoma lepidum Family: CICHLIDAE @ Cichlasoma cyanoguttatum --- Page 18 --- Mc CULLOCH COUNTY | | CONCHO COUNTY | —_| SAN SABA COUNTY | LLANO COUNTY | N MASON COUWTY