TPWD 1957 F-5-R-4 #279: Report of Fisheries Investigations: Basic Survey and Inventory of Species Present and Their Distribution in the Upper Colorado River of Texas, Dingell-Johnson Project F

--- Page 1 --- Report of Fisheries Investigations Basic Survey and Inventory of Species Present and Their Distribution in the Upper Colorado River of Texas by Lawrence Campbell Project Leader Dingell-Johnson Project F-5-R-4, Job B-12 May 1, 1956 through April 16, 1957 H. D. Dodgen - Executive Secretary Texas Game and Fish Commission Austin, Texas Marion Toole Kenneth C. Jurgens & William H. Brown Coordinator Assistant Coordinators --- Page 3 --- Job Completion Report State of TEXAS Project No. F-5-R-4 Name: Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region 3-B. Job No. B-12 Title: Basic Survey and Inventory of Species Present and Their Distribution in the Upper Colorado River of Texas. Period Covered: May 1, 1956 through April 16, 1957 ABSTRACT s The Upper Colorado River was found to be dependent upon run-off for its source of water; was dominated by undesirable species; is not utilized by the public for fishing and is extremely low in actual production of game fish, although the potential is reasonably high. No recommendation is made for immediate management; however, if public waters should be benefited at a later date it is recommended that management practices be employed at that time. JBJECTIVES 3 To gather fundamental data on the above waters in regard to their physical, chemical and biological aspects. To determine the distribution of fish species present, their relative abundance and the ecological factors influencing their distribution. COOPERATING AGENCIES : Texas Board of Water Engineers United States Geological Survey Upper Colorado River Municipal Water District Central Colorado River Authority PROCEDURE: A. Basic Survey Standard procedures were employed to secure the information necessary to com= plete stream survey forms similar to those given by Lagler in his HANDBOOK OF FRESHWATER FISHERY BIOLOGY. B, Inventory of Species Thirty-three permanent seining stations were established to obtain adequate ‘ampling of the fishery populations as to their distribution and relative abundance. --- Page 4 --- 1. Because of the stream conditions it was impossible to establish exact seining stations in those portions of the watershed above Ballinger, Texas, however, sixty= eight seining collections were obtained from that portion of the watershed and from portions of the Concho River not included in the North and South Concho River surveys. Bag seines were used where practical, however, eight foot nylon common sense seines were the type found to be most adaptable to stream conditions and were the type most fre- quently employed. 2. Four gill net stations were established and twelve net collections were obtained. Experimental nets 125 feet long by 8 feet deep, and in 25 foot sections of varying mesh were used. Mesh ranges were from $-inch to 3-inch, increasing at 4 inch intervals, and each were 25 foot in length. 3. Water analyses, pH, air and water temperatures, and other data pertaining to water quality and conditions were recorded at appropriate intervals of the stream area worked. 4, Where field identification was in doubt individuals were preserved in 10% formalin and examined in the laboratory. 5. The portions of the Upper Colorado River System to be included in this survey are as follows: a. All contributing watershed from the upper origins of the river system in Andrews, Gaines, Dawson and Martin counties to and including the confluence with the San Saba River in San Saba County. b. Excepting: those portions of the Concho Rivers above the Tom Green County line (these waters were surveyed and reported on in Jobs A~1, B-1, A-2, and B-2); the San Saba River (inventory work on that stream was done by personnel from Region 7=B, Project F-9-R-l). FINDINGS : Of the above described contributing area of about 20,700 square miles, the river above Ballinger and that portion of the Concho River between the Tom Green County line and the confluence represent about sixty-eight percent of the total watershed surveyed. The stream in that area is usually intermittent except where low water dams are fed by sufficient quantities of seepage to stabilize, on a partial basis, stream flow for a limited area below their location. Stream flow resulting from run-off, virtually all significant discharge, is controlled primarily by Lake J. B. Thomas, a 220,000 acre foot capacity reservoir and Colorado City Lake on Morgan Creek that has a total capacity of 30,900 acre feet. The Concho Rivers are controlled by San Angelo Reservoir and by Lake Nasworthy, whose combined capacity is about 350,000 acre feet. Lake Brownwood, a reservoir having a flood control capacity in excess of 185,400 acre feet; Hoards Creek Reservoir, with 25,310 acre feet storage; Oak Creek Reservoir, with 56,000 acre feet capacity, and a number of other lesser reservoirs control and regulate the stream flow for the remaining portions of the watershed. In all there are sixty-eight known reservoirs that have storage capacities greater than ten acre feet and owned by public and private concerns on the watershed. The named reservoirs are discussed under other jobs, For convenience in discussion, the contributing watershed is divided into stream areas that because of the variation in their physical, chemical and biological aspects differ significantly. The more detailed data on hydrology and water quality is included in the tables that follow and the exact locations of the various stations worked are list- ed under appropiate areas. --- Page 5 --- + Area 1 through 5 - the contributing watershed above Lake J. B. Thomas. This portion of the watershed consists of intermittent pools within the river bed. There are no springs, and the only permanent pools are created by low water dams. Normally there is no stream flow and the only discharges are a result of run-off. The water above Lake J. B. Thomas and that impounded is comparatively pure, having a chloride content from 26 to 120 ppm and a total hardness of from 88 to 122 ppm. It was for this reason that the chosen dam site was selected. Maximum dissolved carbon dioxide recorded in this portion of the stream was 16 ppm; minimum oxygen content determined was 7 ppm; and pH was from 8.4 to 8.6. Maximum turbidity was 11 inches. Excepting bulrushes at the mouth of the lake, no aquatic vegetation is in this area. Area 6 through 8 - from one-fourth mile below Lake J. B. Thomas dam to a point on the river about three miles below Silver, Texas. The stream is highly saline in nature as a result of exposures of halite and alkali formations. In addition to the quantities of these materials introduced by the erosive action of stream flow; great quantities of these native salts are induced into the stream bed as a result of the see- page and percolative action of ground-water discharges into the stream. The area is usually clear, excepting rare periods of brief duration when run-off occurs, and cone centrations of parrot feather, Myriophyllum sp., saw grass, Zizaniopsis sp. and muskgrass, Chara sp. are in dense localities. Total chlorides recorded were from 420 to 5,000 ppm; total hardness from 428 to 1,500 ppm; minimum recorded dissolved oxygen was 6 ppm; maximum carbon dioxide determined was 15 ppm, and pH was from 8.4 to 8.9. The remaining portions of the Colorado River worked, from three miles below Silver to Ballinger, were intermittent pools dependent entirely upon run-off, except for a stream area of about ten miles that passes through the J. S$. Hall Ranch and terminates when it enters gravel deposits about two miles west of Robert Lee, Texas. That section of stream had semi-permanent flow as a result of ground-water movements that were a re-~ sult of a particular geological condition that is unusual for this part of the Upper Colorado River system. Gravel deposits collected seepage and where these deposits ter- minated in bedrock the gound-water that was collected was forced upward to the surface by pressure resulting from the build up. The result was surface flow over the bedrock formation. Water quality for that portion of the stream was only slightly saline with recorded chlorides from 12 ppm to 32 ppm. Exact total hardness is not known, but is considered to be less than the previously described stream areas. The water had no req cordable turbidity except following run-off, the minimum dissolved oxygen content was ll ppm, there was no recordable carbon dioxide, and pH was from 7.8 to 8.2. Only bul- rushes were found in this area. Area 9 through 12 = the Concho River from the Tom Green County line to its confluence is a series of pools and riffles with semi-permanent stream flow as a result of geological conditions similar to those described above. The principal difference between this area and the Upper Colorado River above Robert Lee and below Silver is the greater con= centrations and deposits of silt in many pools created by low water dams on the Concho System. Water quality for the lower Concho is superior to much of the Colorado; chrolide content is usually about 71 ppm and total hardness about 250 ppm. No oxygen difficiencies were recorded, ranging from 8 to 10 ppm, and carbon dioxide records were from 5 to le ppm. The water is normally turbid with readings averaging about 11 inches and pH is from 8.2 to 8.6. From a fisheries standpoint the Upper Colorado River System may be regarded as a vast network of intermittent to semi-permanent flow streams, containing in its 20,700 square miles of contributing watershed an extreme complexity of geological formations and soils, having great flexibility and variation in its water quality and quantity because it is controlled entirely by an unreliable and fluctuating source of supply == that of ground water and run-off resulting from rainfall. --- Page 6 --- FISH POPULATIONS ; A. Relative Abundance of Species ~ The following charts include the data obtained by the previously described methods of sampling and are not intended to provide other than general information pretaining to the distribution of species. Specific dis- tribution will be discussed later under the annotated checklist for species identified. To obtain the following data, 26,384 individuals of 12 families and 43 species were examined. Sampling Locations on the Upper Colorado River Area No. 1 - Andrews County (above Lake J. B. Thomas) Shafter Lake Whalen Lake Salt Lake Monument Draw Seminole Draw 15 small lakes in Mabee Oil Field Area No. 2 = Gaines County McKinzee Lake Area No. 3 = Dawson County Welch Oil Field Spraberry Oil Field Gold Creek McKenzee Draw Sulphur Lake Sulphur Draw Area No. 4 © Martin County Mustang Creek Area No. 5 = Borden County Gail Buf ord Spade Smith Ranch Mouth of river in Lake J. B. Thomas Mouth of Bull Creek Area No. 6 = Seurry County Bridge on Highway 50 (3 miles south of Ira) Area No. 7 = Mitchell County 2 miles East of Cutberth Below dam of Colorado City Lake Bridges in Colorado City Bridge crossing Farm Road 101 on Harris Ranch (18 miles south of Colorado City) --- Page 7 --- Area Area Area Area Area No. 8 = Coke County Jameson Oil Field (3 miles south of Silver) 4 mile above mouth of Panther Draw (15 miles west of Robert Lee on Tubbs Ranch) 1 mile above mouth of Yellow Wolf Creek (1 mile below Army Dam site on Harris Ranch) Mouth of Yellow Wolf Creek (8 miles above Robert Lee on Harris Ranch) l mile above mouth of Salt Creek on Hale Ranch Area around bridge on Robert Lee-Sterling City highway Area around bridge on Robert Lee-San Angelo highway 1 mile south-east of Robert Lee on San Angelo highway Mouth of Macy Creek (16 miles south-east of Robert Lee in Wendland Oil Field) Bronte Oil Field (4 stream miles north-west of Bronte) Bronte-San Angelo highway bridge 4+ stream miles south-east of Bronte-San Angelo highway bridge No. 9 = Runnells County Maverick Crossing (8 miles south-east of Bronte) Brookshire Crossing (2 miles south of Maverick-Ballinger highway) Mouth of Mesquite Creek (5 miles south of Ballinger-Maverick highway on Smith Ranch) Herring Ranch (17 stream miles north-west of Ballinger) Eagan Ranch (143 stream miles west of Ballinger) Kuhn's Dam (11 miles west of Ballinger off Kristoff School Road) 200 yds. below mouth of Quarry Creek on Forgey Farm at irrigation pump (8 miles west of Ballinger) Gravel pit 50 yds. north of Brookshire School road (33 stream miles west of Ballinger) Mouth of Sand Branch (2 stream miles west of Ballinger ) Ballinger-San Angelo highway bridge Elm Creek in City Park in Ballinger k stream miles south-east of Ballinger 4 mile below mouth of Bear's Foot Creek 100 yds. below oil field crossing at end of pavement on McKinley Ranch (14 stream miles south-east of Ballinger) Crossing of farm road on Bethel School road (21 stream miles below Ballinger) No, 10 = Concho County Tony Rasalie Ranch (14 miles below mouth of Concho River) Low water crossing on Hafner Ranch 4 mile below Rosalie Ranch No. 11 = Coleman County Mouth of Grape Creek (14 miles south of Leaday) Chaffin Crossing on Cooper Farm (3 miles west of Highway 283) Mouth of Bull Creek on Linsley Farm (6 miles west of Highway 283) No. 12 » Mcculloch County Elm Creek on Bradley Ranch --- Page 8 --- Sampling Locations on the Principal Tributaries Jim Ned Creek Head Hords Creek Below Hords Creek Dam Lake Santana Lake Sealey Pecan Bayou 2 miles east of Oplin Burkett Crossing Cross Plains highway crossing Byrd's Store on Ranch Road 589 Wright's Ranch below Brownwood Dam City Park in Brownwood --- Page 9 --- Hydrology and Fluctuation of Flow Data for the Colorado River at Colorado City from October 1955 through September 1957 Maximum Minimum Average Number Percent Run-off Month Discharge Discharge Discharge of Days of Time in Acre C.f «Ss c.f.s. c.f.s. no Flow no Flow Feet 1955 October 1340.0 0.0 160.0 5 17 9850 November 0.0 0.0 0.0 30 100 ) December 0.7 0.0 0.1 25 83 3 1956 January 2.6 0.4 1.0 0 ©) 62 February 2.6 0.0 1.3 2 7 72 March 0.0 0.0 0.0 31 100 ©) April 273.0 0.0 9.1 29 96 541 May 1980.0 0.0 93.6 3 10 5750 June 228.0 0.0 | 16.8 18 60 1000 July 0.3 0.0 ~ 27 90 1 August 0.0 0.0 0.0 30 100 0 September 0.0 0.0 0.0 30 100 O October 102.0 0.0 5.1 20 67 315 November 14.0 0.0 1.3 10 33 TT December 27.0 0.0 3.2 17 57 196 1957 January 1.8 0.2 0.6 ) © 39 February 1800.0 2.2 99.0 0 0 5500 March | 20.0 0.0 2.0 2 7 123 April 4330.0 0.0 332.0 17 57 19750 May 9560.0 2.2 1048.0 @) Oo 64410 June 3540.0 4.0 205.0 ) ¢) 12210 July 96.0 0.0 9.1 16 53 556 August Th.O 0.0 6.3 13 yh 386 O 0.0 3.6 16 53 214 September 43. Drainage area is 4,082 Square miles of which 2,590 square miles are probably non= contributing. The average discharge for a ll year period is 54,080 acre’ feet per year. --- Page 10 --- Hydrology and Fluctuation of Flow Data for the Concho River of the Upper Colorado River System at Paint Rock from October 1955 through September 1957. Maximum Minimum Average Number Percent Run-off Month Discharge Discharge Discharge of Days of Time in Acre e.f.s. e.f.s. ¢.f.8. no Flow no Flow Feet 1955 October 30.0 0.1 3.9 6 28 238 November - - 0.3 @) fe) 18 December - - 0.2 0) 0 12 1956 January 13.0 - 3.1 20 67 190 February 8.2 0.2 su fe) fe) 193 March O.2 0.0 0.1 25 83 7 April 15.0 0.0 0.6 24 80 37 May 2460.0 3.5 212.0 0 0 13040 June 9.4 6.6 1.6 18 60 97 July 8.2 0.0 0.8 2h 80 hg August 281.0 0.0 13.8 20 67 850 September 75.0 0.0 5.8 10 33 346 October 3560.0 O.4 170.0 0 0 10470 November 174.0 1.0 28.1 ) ) 1670 December 20.0 0.2 3.4 ) ) 210 1957 January 6.5 0.7 5.6 re) 0 220 February 8.5 0.7 3.0 ) 0 167 March 233.0 0.2 16.2 ) @) 1120 April 32200.0 0.3 1695.0 0 0 100900 May 27800 .0 52.0 4756.0 ¢) ) 292400 June 7400.0 32.0 576.0 9) ) 34.270 July 122.0 5.5 23.6 @) ) 1450 August 7.0 0.2 1.7 0) @) 103 September 1050.0 0.2 64.0 fe) re) 3810 Drainage area is 5538 square miles of which 275 square miles are probably noncontributing. The average discharge for a 4O year period is 157,800 acre feet per year. --- Page 11 --- Hydrology and Fluctuation of Flow Data for Pecan Bayou of the Colorado River System at Brownwood from October 1955 through September 1957 Maximum Minimum Average Number Percent Run-off Month Discharge Discharge Discharge of Days of Time in Acre e.f.s. esPiss c.f.s. no Flow no Flow Feet 1955 October 762.0 1.0 189.0 9) 0 11640 November 12.0 ~ 0.9 6) ) 53 December 22.0 8.4 13.7 ) 0 841 1956 January 17.0 1.8 8.1 ¢) 0 501 February 2.8 0.7 2.1 ) ) 121 March 0.8 0.1 0.3 0 @) 20 April 17.0 0.2 5.3 fe) 0 313 May 22600 .0 8.2 1985.0 0 0 122000 June 3.8 0.1 0.9 @) ) 5h July 0.9 0.1 0.2 0 0) 13 August 57.0 0.1 37 O 0 226 September 8.3 O.1 8.8 ) 0 228 October 83.0 2.4 9.1 fe) ) 560 November 46.0 0.1 3.7 9) ©) 221 December 121.0 0.1 6:3 ) 0 387 1937 January 0.2 ©. O62 O 0 12 February 0.5 0.3 0.4 0 0 20 March 69.0 0.3 3.8 @) @) 231 April 4730.0 0.3 629.0 @) ) 37420 May 12500.0 371.0 4037.0 ) 0 24.8200 June 5510.0 3.8 1033.0 ) 0 61500 July 70.0 0.2 5.0 ) ) 308 August 2.0 0.2 0.6 0 0 35 September = - 0.2 30 LOO le Drainage area is 1956 square miles. The average discharge for a 32 year period is 120,200 acre feet per year. --- Page 12 --- LO. Hydrology and Fluctuation of Flow Data for the Colorado River at Winchell, Texas, from October 1955 through September 1957 Month 1955 October November December 1956 January February March April May June July August September October November December 1957 January February March April May June July August September Maximum Minimum Average Number Percent Run-off Discharge Discharge Discharge of Days of Time in Acre c.f.s. @.f wSs @sf.8. no Flow no Flow Feet 3790.0 8.4 421.0 ) 0 25910 Tet 1.1 2.9 ) ©) 171 1.8 0.2 0.8 ) ) 50 21.0 1.1 4.2 @) 0 256 367.0 5.1 oh .7 0 0 1420 4.6 0.0 1.6 0 ) 96 1220.0 0.0 88.8 @) ¢) 5280 38000 .0 46.0 3079.0 0 0 189300 130.0 0.0 33.6 @) 0 2000 2.7 28 51.0 0 0 3140 745.0 0.0 66.7 re) 0 4100 101.0 0.0 17.0 fe) @) 1010 10300.0 6.0 1000.0 @) @) 61470 1220.0 6.0 194.0 ) 0 11540 892.0 0.9 78.4 ) 0 4820 38.0 1.3 11.0 ) @) 678 750.0 1.5 103.0 0 0 5730 5070.0 4.6 368.0 fe) ) 22640 32200.0 26.0 4167.0 @) 0 24.8000 58300.0 333.0 13910.0 0 0 855000 27600.0 180.0 4040.0 fe) 0 240400 510.0 29.0 139.0 © ) 8530 360.0 13.0 73.0 ) ) 4h.go 5020.0 4.6 597.0 ) ) 35550 Drainage area is 24,580 contributing. square miles of which 11,900 square miles are probably non-= The average discharge for a 28 year period is 524,200 acre feet per year. --- Page 13 --- dl. Hydrology and Fluctuation of Flow Data for Brady Creek of the Upper Colorado River System at Brady from October 1955 through September 1957 Maximum Minimum Average Number Percent Run-off Month Discharge Discharge Discharge of Days of Time in Acre c.f.s. c.f<s. c.f.s. no Flow no Flow Feet 1955 October O.% 0.0 0.04 a5 83 2.6 November 0.0 0.0 0.0 30 100 0.0 December O.1 0.0 0.02 23 78 1.4 1956 January 0.0 0.0 0.0 30 100 0.0 February 216.0 0.0 7.89 22 TT 454.0 March 0.0 0.0 o.0 30 100 0.0 April 0.7 0.0 0.04 28 93 2.6 May 2650.0 0.1 137.0 0) 0 8420.0 June 0.8 0.0 0.08 18 60 5.0 July 0.0 0.0 0.0 30 100 0.0 August 446.0 0.0 2.1 10 33 1230.0 September 3.0 0.0 14.0 25 83 8.3 October 0.0 0.0 0.0 30 100 0.0 November 0.0 0.0 0.0 30 LOO 0.0 December 0.0 O«O 0.0 30 100 0.0 1957 January 0.1 0.0 0.02 23 78 1.4 February 0.4 0.1 0.18 @) O 9.7 March 377.0 0.2 31.1 ©) ) 1910.0 April 4550.0 O.1 482.0 0 0 28670.0 May 4650.0 48.0 853.0 ©) ) 52460.0 June 384.0 3.1 48.8 ) ) 2900.0 July 2.3 0.0 0.34 15 50 21.0 August 0.0 0.0 0.0 31 100 0.0 September 2060.0 0.0 93.9 8 27 5590.0 Drainage area is 575 square miles. The average discharge for a 18 year period is 20,050 acre feet per year. --- Page 14 --- de". Hydrology and Fluctuation of Flow Data for the San Saba River of the Colorado River System at San Saba from October 1955 through September 1957. Maximum Minimum Average Number Percent Month ' Discharge Discharge Discharge of Days of Time e.f.s. e.f.s. c.f.s. no Flow no Flow 2955 Ost ober 141 21.0 hoy 0 0 November 28 170 22.0 ) ) December 33 9.2 2au.5 fe) re) 1956 January hg 12.0 33.1 @) ) February 264 31.0 64.8 fe) ) March 32 6.7 19.8 fe) ) April 1250 0.0 423.0 fe) 0) May 14900 52.0 1292.0 0) 0) June 82 0.5 26.7 0 0 July 78 0.0 12.7 ©) ©) August 15 0.0 13.3 6) 6) September 121 3.7 18.6 fo) ) October 29 Tre) 11.9 6) 0) November 21 5.5 11.6 ¢) @) December 135 301. 16.1 0) ) 1957 January 18 12.0 14.9 @) ) February Xe) 14.0 21.2 O 0 March 551 10.0 935.0 O O April 14100 18.0 1782.0 @) 0 May 20300 196.0 3031.0 6) O June 1500 90.0 329.0 e) e) July 85 29.0 he 2 © @) August 30 4.0 16.6 fo) @) September 1530 i1.0 133.0 0 @] Drainage area is 3,042 square miles. The average discharge for a 41 year period is 176,600 acre feet per year. Run-off in Acre Feet 2610 1310 1510 2040 3730 1220 25190 T94LO 1590 778 816 1100 733 689 991 916 1180 5750 106100 186400 19590 2600 1020 7930 --- Page 15 --- Location Colorado River near Colorado City Texas ° Colorado River near Robert Lee, Texas Colorado River near San Saba, Texas North Concho River near San Angelo, Texas 13. Water Quality Data for the Upper Colorado River eS Air Surface Oo CO. Cl Dissolved Total Date Temp. Water pH PPM PPM Date PPM Solids Hardness Temp. August May 1956 94. 86 8.8 ~ - 1947 6800 13300 1780 October October 1956 76 Th 8.6 11 14.5 1955 34. 228 fo) April January 1957 69 69 8.9 7 11 1957 3690 7210 1100 June September 1955 89 79 8.6 5 3 1947 245 698 186 April September 1957 74 68 8.1 6.5 9.5 1955 418 1300 333 September - ~ - = - - 1947 225 837 346 September - - 7 - - = 1955 830 2010 638 November - 1956 June September 1956 83 7 7.8 8.5 2.5 1947 300 920 352 July 1957 96 80 7 i 10 --- Page 16 --- Location South Concho River near San Angelo, Texas Bull Creek near Ira, Texas Bluff Creek near Ira, Texas San Saba River near San Saba, Texas Mouth of Canyon Creek near Winchell, Texas Mouth of Deep Creek near Rochelle, Texas Date dune 1956 dune 1956 June 1956 June 1956 Air Temp. 92 92 8h 82 Water Quality Data for the Upper Colorado River Surface Water Temp. 82 80 78 78 pH “Gaal 7.6 7.2 (Continued ) Oo PPM (ce) 5.2 2+9 CO. PPM LL LO 10.5 Date September 1947 April 1956 April 1947 September 1947 April 1947 April 1956 Cl PPM van 635 232 13 165 105 Dissolved Solids 362 1980 1400 222 1500 91T Total Hardness 208 ie) 639 192 422 13 --- Page 17 --- Location Lone Wolf Creek near Colorado City, Texas Champlin Creek near Colorado City, Texas Pecan Bayou near Regency Bridge Jim Ned Creek near Coleman Brady Creek (below sewer) near Brady, Texas (above sewer) Date August 1956 « June 1956 June 1956 June 1956 Air Temp. 96 90 82 86 15. Water Quality Data for the Upper Colorado River Surface Water Temp. 8h 78 78 74 pH 8.8 8.8 8.0 (Continued ) Oo PPM Wed 10.4 2+D COs. PPM 2.5 19 17.5 Cl Date PPM April 1956 230 July 1947 228 Dissolved Solids 3130 1180 Total Hardness 1970 675 --- Page 18 --- Location Elm Creek near Ballinger, Texas Colorado River near Gail, Vexas Pecan Bayou on Wright Ranch below Lake Brownwood Date September 1955 October 1956 July 1956 August 1956 Air Temp. a5 80 90 91 1é Water Quality Data for the Upper Colorado River Surface Water Temp. 8h 73 80 82 pH 8.4 8.6 7.2 (Continued) 02 PPM 325 7.0 L.7 C02 G2 PPM Date PPM 14.5 - - 12.5 - = e - : 5 = = Dissolved Solids Total Hardness --- Page 19 --- Netting and Seining Collections Made on The Upper Colorado River Collection Station Number 1. Location: Mouth of Bull Creek 6 hauls with 26 ft. bag seine and 6 hauls with common-sense type Type of Collection: minnow seine. Species Redhorse shiners Killifish Central stoneroller Gambusia Shad River carpsuckers Longnose gar Yellow bullheads Drum Bluegill Green sunfish Longear sunfish Parrot minnows Totals April 6, 1955 No. 150 14 h 38 12 OrFOAON FHF 256 Collection Station Number 2. Location: 2 miles below Lake Thomas Dam Type of Collection: Dates: June 18, 1956 Species Shad River carpsucker Yellow bullheads White crappie Totals 3 experimental gill nets No. 23 11 22 58 (O bh OCOONODOOWO OH FF W (ee) LOO .00 % vy No. 39.66 18.96 37-93 3.45 100.00 Lis June 16, 1956 No. 12 31 ) 18 6 2 0 14 0 31 17 8 3 142 Avg. Wt. (Ozs) ww ON ENO W 8.45 21.83 0.00 12.68 4,23 LAL 0.00 9.86 0.00 21.83 11.97 5.63 211 100.00 % by Wt. 17,78 53-73 25.45 3.08 LOO. 00 --- Page 20 --- 18. Netting and Seining Collections Made on The Upper Colorado River (Continued ) Collection Station Number 3. Location: Highway 350 bridge 2 miles south of Ira. Type of Collection: 6 hauls with common-sense typé seine. Species April 16, 1956 August 7, 1956 February 18, 1957 No. % No. % No. % Plains killifish 200 76.63 180 71.15 60 60.00 Redhorse shiners 2h 9.19 20 7.91 18 18.00 Grey redhorse sucker 2 0.77 9) 0.00 4 4.00 Yellow bullhead 18 6.90 37 14.62 h 4.00 Green sunfish 10 3.83 8 3.16 7 7.00 Bluegill 7 2.68 8 3.16 7 7.00 Totals 261 100.00 253 100.00 100 100.00 %* + * Collection Station Number }. Location: 2 miles east of Curtbert. Type of Collection: 6 hauls with common-sense type seine Species April 16, 1956 February 18, 1957 No. % No. b Plains killifish 1000 59.35 500 72.46 Gambusia 500 29.67 80 11.59 Redhorse shiners 100 5.93 2) 3.48 Parrot minnows 20 1.19 6) 0.00 River carpsuckers 20 1.19 2 0.29 Grey redhorse sucker 20 1.19 ) 0.00 Green sunfish 10 0.59 60 8.70 Bluegill 10 0.59 20 2.90 Channel catfish 5 0.30 4 0.58 Totals 1685 100.00 . 690 100.00 --- Page 21 --- 19. Netting and Seining Collections Made on The Upper Colorado River (Continued) Collection Station Number 5 Location: Below Colorado City Lake Dam Type of Collection: 6 hauls with common-sense type seine Species September 12, 1955 August 24, 1956 February 20, 1957 No. % No. v No. % Redhorse shiners 1000 74.85 1000 62.97 1000 83.33 Parrot minnows 200 14.97 80 5.04 fe) 0.00 Gambusia 100 7.48 500 31.49 200 16.67 Shad 4 0.30 re) 0.00 fe) 0.00 Bluegill 30 2.25 8 0.50 @) 0.00 Largemouth bass 2 0.15 8) 0.00 ) 0.00 Totals 1336 100.00 1588 100.00 1200 100.00 Collection Station Number 6. Location: Two city bridges in Colorado City. Type of Collection: 6 hauls with common-sense type seine. Species September 12, 1955 August 24, 1956 February 20, 1957 No. % No. % No. % Plains killifish 1000 66.67 1000 66.67 1000 66.67 Gambusia 500 33.33 500 33.33 500 33.33 Totals 1500 100.00 1500 100.00 1500 100.00 Collection Station Number 7 Location: Bridge crossing on Farm Road 101 near Sterling City. Type of Collection: 4 hauls with common-sense type seine. Species June 20, 1956 February 24, 1957 No. No. % Plains killifish 200 80.00 80 61.54 Parrot minnows 50 20.00 36 27.69 Shad 0 0.00 12 9.23 Grey redhorse sucker 9) 0.00 2 1.54 Totals 250 100.00 130 100.00 --- Page 22 --- 20. Netting and Seining Collections Made on The Upper Colorado River Collection Station Number 8. Location: Harris Ranch 18 miles southeast of Colorado City. Type of Collection: 4 hauls with common-sense type seine . Species Redhorse shiner Gambusia Plains killifish Channel catfish Totals Collection Station Number 9. (Continued ) June 19, 1956 No. 250 100 50 a oe 62.20 2h 86 12.44 0.50 100.00 Location: Silver Crossing at Jameson Oil Field. Type of Collection: h hauls with common-sense type seine. Species Plains killifish Gambusia Redhorse shiner River carpsucker Channel catfish Bluegill Totals June 26, 1956 No. 150 89 32 4 6 18 299 50.17 29.76 10.70 1.34 2.01 6.02 100.00 February 23, 1957 No. 30 11.76 100 39.22 125 49.02 ) 0.00 255 100.00 August 20, 1956 No. 160 15.43 8h 8.10 700 67.50 30 2.89 61 5.88 A 0.20 1037 100.00 --- Page 23 --- 21. Netting and Seining Collections Made on The Upper Colorado River (Continued) Collection Station Number 10. Location: Type of Collection: Species Plains killifish Spottail shiner Parrot minnow Gambusia Shad Gar Drum River carpsucker Yellow bullheads Sunfish Channel catfish Largemouth bass Totals W. E. Tubbs Ranch 3 mile above mouth of Panther Draw. 6 hauls with common-sense type seine. October 10, 1955 No. 100 36.90 2h 8.86 ah 8.86 50 18.45 8 2.95 ) 0.00 ) 0.00 2 0.73 fe) 0.00 60 22.14 2 0.74 1 0.37 aya 100.00 Collection Station Number 11. Location: Type of Collection: Species Roundnose minnow Central stoneroller Redhorse shiners Parrot minnows Drum River carpsucker Sunfish & bluegills Flathead catfish Channel catfish Largemouth bass Totals June 27, 1956 No. 65 100 2 30 8 2 ‘l ) 1h ho fe) 2 264 % * 1 mile below Army Dam Site on Harris Ranch. 24.62 37.88 0.76 11.36 3.03 0.76 0.38 0.00 5.30 15.15 0.00 0.76 100.00 4 hauls with common-sense type seine. September 20, 1955 No. 80 38.65 4 1.93 60 28.99 2h 11.59 fe) 0.00 fe) 0.00 21 10.14 6 2.90 12 5.80 fe) 0.00 207 100.00 August 13, 1956 No. 65 0 38 20 DOoOn FN & 152 42.76 0.00 25.00 13.16 2.63 1.32 2.63 1.32 5.92 5.26 100.00 August 20, 1956 No. LOO 175 fh! Ve 9P9OAWUNOOCWOMWOO 100. -00 -00 -00 ofl -00 -00 229 015 71 14 .00 -00 00 --- Page 24 --- 22. Netting and Seining Collections Made on The Upper Colorado River (Continued ) Collection Station Number 12. Location: Bridge at Robert Lee. Type of Collection: 6 hauls with common-sense type seine. Species July 13, 1955 June 27, 1956 No. % No. % Redhorse shiner 100 35.71 78 48.75 Plains shiner 30 10.72 13 8.13 Gambusia 100 35.71 ho 25.00 Green sunfish ah 8.57 12 7.50 Longear sunfish 12 429 6 3.75 White crappie 8 2.86 2 1.25 Channel catfish 2 0.71 9 5.62 Largemouth bass 4 1.43 ) 0.00 Totals 280 100.00 160 100.00 Collection Station Number 13 Location: Mouth of Macy Creek Type of Collection: 4 hauls with common-sense type seine. Species July 13, 1955 June 27, 1956 No. % No. % Plains shiners 100 bh Bh 100 45.87 Spottail shiners 50 22.42 30 13.76 Green sunfish 28 12.56 60 27.52 Bluegill 4S 20.18 28 12.85 Totals 223 100.00 218 100.00 Collection Station Number 1}. Location: Oil field 4 stream miles northwest of Bronte. Type of Collection: 6 hauls with common-sense type seine. Species July 13, 1955 June 28, 1956 No. % No. % Plains shiners 105 58. 34 83 49.40 Redhorse shiners 2h 13.33 20 11.90 Bluegill 31 17.22 36 21.43 Green sunfish 18 10.00 29 LT 27 Longear sunfish 2 1.11 6) 0.00 Totals 180 100.00 168 100.00 August 20, 1956 No. 68 48 60 0 2 6 1 14 199 3h. ak. 30. QO. 1.01 3.02 0. 7-03 100. 17 12 lb 00 50 00 --- Page 25 --- 23. Netting and Seining Collections Made on The Upper Colorado River (Continued ) Collection Station Number 15. Location: Type of Collection: 3 hauls with bag seine. Bronte to San Angelo Highway Bridge. Species June 22, 1955 July 13, 1955 No. % No. % No. Redhorse shiner 86 23.76 30 17.75 18 Spottail Shiner 80 22.10 ) 0.00 0 Gambusia 165 45.58 36 21.30 30 Parrot minnow ) 0.00 14 8.28 @) Shad 2 0.55 10 5.92 6 Drum 0 0.00 1 0.59 0 Gar ) 0.00 1 0.59 4 River carpsucker 2 0.55 2 1.18 0 Redhorse sucker ) 0.00 in 2.37 2 White crappie 0 0.00 8 4.73 14 Bluegill 12 3.32 21 12.44 14 Green sunfish 10 2.76 35 20.71 27 Longear sunfish 2 0.55 e) 0.00 li ~ “lowbelly sunfish 0) 0.00 6) 0.00 2 \. annel catfish 2 0.55 2 1.18 3 Flathead catfish 0 0.00 1 0.59 1 Largemouth bass i 0.28 h 2.37 2 Totals 362 100.00 169 100.00 134 * x Collection Station Number 16. Location; Type of Collection: Species September 14, 1955 No. Plains shiner 2] 3.39 Parrot minnows oh 40.68 Gambusia 4 6.78 Redhorse shiner 12 20. 34 Grey redhorse sucker 0 0.00 River carpsucker 2 3.39 Carp ) 0.00 Roundnose minnow 6) 0.00 Rio Grande shiner 0) 0.00 3pottail shiner 15 25.42 Totals 59 100.00 Maverick Crossing 8 miles SE Bronte. 6 hauls with common-sense type seine. April 22, 199 No. ) 0.00 8 13.11 31 50.82 14 22.95 ) 0.00 2. 3.28 2 3.28 0) 0.00 0 0.00 iF 6.56 61 100.00 13. 00 39 00 10. 20. 100. ime iW) OrFONOFONO HFONEF © June 28, 1956 43 48 00 -99 .00 March 12, 1957 No. % 100 48.78 0.00 12.72 1.96 4.39 0.97 0.00 0.97 0.00 0.97 13.66 6.83 2.93 1.96 0.97 0.00 3.90 100.00 ine) Fro =a) DBONFHNEONOANONLO 205 October 20, 1956 No. re) 0.00 2 Tie rer 1 2.23 30 66.67 2 Ay 6) 0.00 0 0.00 8 17.78 2 hob @) 0.00 4s 100.00 --- Page 26 --- Collection Station Number 18. Kuhn's Dam 11 miles west of Ballinger. 3 experimental gill nets Location: Type of Collection: Date: Species Shad Redhors River c ah. Netting and Seining Collections Made on The Upper Colorado River Collection Station Number 17. Location; Smith Ranch 5 miles west of Ballinger. h hauls with common-sense type seine. Type of Collection: Species Roundnose minnow Channel catfish Flathead catfish Shad Totals September 5, 1955 e sucker arpsucker Smallmouth buffalo Drum Longnos e gar Channel catfish Longear sunfish Green s Totals unfish No. W lo NANAK FW AN © Oo LE (Continue No. 160 y) iL 1 167 % by 45 8 1 “Ih Ow Fur 100. a) September 20, 1955 No. .2k mi) 14 OF -76 .10 33 39 14 00 Avg. Wt. (Ozs) 18 23 76 12 54 12 95.81 2+99 0.60 0.60 100.00 % by Wt. 8.42 9.31 10.19 16. 84 3.54 43.87 6.20 0.74 0.89 100.00 --- Page 27 --- Netting and Seining Collections Made on The Upper Colorado River Collection Station Number 19. Location: Bridge in Ballinger. Type of Collection: Species Spottail shiner Redhorse shiner Parrot minnow Gambusia Roundnose minnow Shad Longnose gar Spotted gar River carpsucker Bluegill sunfish Green sunfish Longear sunfish Largemouth bass Channel catfish Totals 25. (Continued ) 9 hauls with bag seine. September 14, ° N Oo. 12 18 h 21 0 16 0 1 2 14 13 2 1 3 107 11.22 16.83 3.74 19.63 0.00 14.95 0.00 0.93 1.87 13.08 12.15 1.87 0.93 2.80 100.00 July 16, 1956 No. % 10 17.24 28 48.28 00 .00 .00 -72 .72 .00 .00 -35 224 .00 AS .00 He OCWONDOCOOHHFOOO bt ONOONDOOHFFOOO wi (ee) 100.00 October 20, 1956 No. I NAMI MWrFFONMANNONNO be (ee) EL 0.00 50.00 2.38 .00 38 «33 38 .00 .19 10 | oe On MWwWrF OM OM oO 100.00 Netting and Seining Collections Made on Tributaries of The Upper Colorado Collection Station Number 20. Location: Elm Creek in Ballinger Park. Type of Collection: Species Shad River carpsucker Carp Longnose gar White crappie Channel catfish Totals No. 132 68 14 226 % by No. 58.41 30.09 6.20 2.65 0.88 1.77 LOO. 00 6 experimental gill nets. Avg. Wt. (Ozs.) 45 he 98 21 % by Wt. 14.20 55-29 14.06 14.06 0.38 2.01 100.00 Ave. K 1.68 .20 64 231 82 .96 rFPwWOoOn fe --- Page 28 --- 26. Netting and Seining Collections Made on Tributaries of The Upper Colorado (Continued) Collection Station Number 20. Location: Elm Creek in Ballinger Park Type of Collection: 4 hauls with common-sense type seine. Species October 21, 1956 No. % Spottail shiner 28 40.58 Gambusia 34 49.28 River carpsucker 7 10.14 Totals 69 100.00 Collection Station Number 22. Location: Tony Rosalie Ranch 14 mile below mouth of Concho River. Type of Collection: 3 experimental gill nets. Date: October 16, 1955 Species No. % by No. Avg. Wt. % by Wt. Ave. K (Ozs. ) Shad 47 37.90 45 6.17 1.81 River carpsucker 18 Th.52 26 13.65 2.42 Redhorse sucker 9 7.26 28 7.35 2.08 Smallmouth buffalo 14 11.29 106 4.3.30 3.68 Longnose gar 11 8.87 64 20.54 33 Drum 6 4. 8y 12 2.10 2.84 White crappie 16 12.90 7 2.27 3.65 Channel catfish 2 1.61 33 1.93 1.93 Flathead catfish 1 0.81 58 1.69 1.96 Totals 124 100.00 100.00 Collection Station Number 22. Location: Tony Rosalie Ranch 15 mile below mouth of Concho River. Type of Collection: 4 hauls with common-sense type seine. Species September 20, 1955 March 29, 1956 No. % No. Redhorse shiners 60 60.00 48 Wh 86 Spottail shiners 8 8.00 21 19.63 Shad 2 2.00 7 6.54 Drum 2 2.00 6) 0.00 Sunfish 28 28.00 31 28.97 Totals 100 100.00 107 100.00 --- Page 29 --- 27. Netting and Seining Collections Made on Tributaries of The Upper Colorado (Continued) Collection Station Number 23. Location: Waldrup and Rockwood Crossings. Type of Collection: 4 hauls with common-sense type seine. Species December 15, 1955 No. Redhorse shiners 200 66.01 Green sunfish 71 23.43 Bluegill 12 3.96 Longear sunfish 8 2.64 Largemouth bass 12 3.96 Totals 303 100.00 EK Collection Station Number 2h, Location: Winchell Crossing. ype of Collection: 9 hauls with 26 ft. bag seine. Species September 15, 1955 October 23, 1955 July 16, 1957 No. % No. % No. % Spottail shiner 26 19.70 13 8.61 8 3.60 Redhorse shiner 16 12.12 21 13.91 31 13.96 Parrot minnows 0 0.00 6 3.97 0 0.00 Plains shiner h 3.03 12 7.95 16 7.21 Shad 2 Ls 52 ) 0.00 8 3.60 River carpsucker ) 0.00 2 1.33 h 1.80 Carp 1 0.76 7 4.64 9 4.06 Longnose gar (9) 0.00 2 1432 O 0.00 Bluegill sunfish 26 19.70 47 31.33 48 21.62 Green sunfish 37 28.04 18 11.92 53 . 23.87 Yellowbelly sunfish 2 1.51 0 0.00 0 0.00 Redear sunfish re) 0.00 ) 0.00 11 4.96 Longear sunfish 12 9.09 19 12.58 oe 7 3.15 Spotted sunfish 1 0.76 0 0.00 ) 0.00 White crappie 3 2.27 2 1.32 ) 0.00 Largemouth bass 2 1.51 O 0.00 14 6.31 Channel catfish @) 0.00 2 1.32 9 4.06 Flathead catfish ) 0.00 ) 0.00 h 1.80 Totals 132 100.00 151 100.00 222 100.00 --- Page 30 --- 28. Netting and Seining Collections Made on Tributaries of The Collection Station Number 25. Location; Sam McCullum Ranch near Type of Collection: Date: July 16, 17, 1956 Species Shad River carpsucker Carp Smallmouth bass Drum Gar Redhorse sucker White crappie Channel catfish Flathead catfish Totals Collection Station Number 26. Mouth of Deep Creek near Rochelle. 3 hauls with bag seine. Location: Type of Collection: Species Shad Plains shiner Parrot minnows Redhorse sucker Sunfish Largemouth bass Totals 8 experimental’ No. Upper Colorado (Continued) ‘Brady. gill nets. % by No. Wh 19 22.59 1.99 3.99 2.32 16.61 1.33 1.99 4.32 0.67 100.007 June 22, 1956 No. 4 18 21 8 34 2 87 4.60 20.69 24.14 9.19 39.08 2.30 100.00 100. MNNOF --- Page 31 --- 29. Netting and Seining Collections Made on Tributaries of The Upper Colorado (Continued) Collection Station Number 27. Location: Pecan Bayou at Oplin. Type of Collection: 3 hauls with common-sense type seine. Species No. % Shad 4 2.74 Spottail shiner 21 14.38 Redhorse shiner 38 26.03 Gambusia 64 43.84 Sunfish 18 12.33 Channel catfish 1 0.68 Totals 146 100.00 * + Collection Station Number 28. Location: Pecan Bayou at Burkett. Type of Collection: 3 hauls with common-sense type seine. Species No. % Shad 2 3.03 Carp 7 10.61 Parrot minnows 30 45.45 White bass 2 3.03 White crappie vy 21.21 Sunfish 17 16.67 Totals 66 100.00 --- Page 32 --- 30. Netting and Seining Collections Made on Tributaries of The Upper Colorado (Continued) Collection Station Number 29. Location: Pecan Bayou on Wright Lease below Lake Brownwood Dam. Type of Collection: 16 hauls with common-sense type seine and 8 hauls with bag seine. Species February 19, 1956 February 20, 1956 No. % No. Shad 16 4.11 34 11.04 Spottail shiner 105 26.99 80 25.97 Redhorse shiner 87 22.37 68 22.08 Golden shiner 8 2.06 2 0.65 Plains shiner 16 me ks 18 5.84 Gambusia 91 23.39 0 0.00 Bluegill 30 7-71 4 1.30 Longear sunfish ok 6.17 14 45k Largemouth bass 12 3.09 @) 0.00 Drum ) 0.00 4 1.30 Carp 0 0.00 21 6.82 Smallmouth bass 0 0.00 6 1.95 Redear sunfish 0 0.00 21 6.82 Green sunfish ) 0.00 36 11.69 Totals 389 100.00 308 100.00 * + * Collection Station Number 29. Location: Pecan Bayou below Lake Brownwood Dam. Type of Collection: 3 experimental gill nets. Date: February 20, 1956 Species No. % by No. Avg. Wt. % by Wt. (Ozs. ) Shad 61 38.61 7 9.83 River carpsucker 23 14.56 23 12,17 Longnose gar 68 43.04 49 76.67 Drum y 2.53 10 0.92 Channel catfish 2 1.26 9 O.41 Totals 158 100.00 100.00 --- Page 33 --- 31. Netting and Seining Collections Made on Tributaries of The Upper Colorado (Continued) Collection Station Number 30. Location: Jim Ned Creek near Lake Sealy. Type of Collection: 3 hauls with 26 tt. bag seine. Species January 19, 1956 No. Redhorse shiner 28 34.57 Parrot minnows 19 23.46 Bluegill sunfish 9 11.11 Green sunfish 14 17.28 Redear sunfish 11 13.58 Totals 81 100.00 x * & Collection Station Number 31. Location: Lake Santana Type of Collection: 3 experimental gill nets. Species No. % by No. Avg. Wt. % by Wt. (Ozs.) Shad 38 52.05 3 12.35 River carpsucker 14 19.18 22 33.35 Carp 9 12.33 Xe) 47.72 White crappie 2 2.74 6 1.29 Redear sunfish 7 9.59 3 2.27 Channel catfish 2 2.74 11 2.38 Largemouth bass 1 1.37 6 0.64 Totals 73 100.00 100.00 --- Page 34 --- 32. Netting and Seining Collections Made on Tributaries of The Upper Colorado (Continued) Collection Station Number 32. Location: Species Shad River carpsucker Carp White crappie Redear sunfish Channel catfish Largemouth bass Lake Sealy Type of Collection: Totals Collection Station Number 33. Mouth of Brady Creek south of Brady. 3 hauls with 26 ft. bag seine. Location: Type of Collection: Species Shad Carp River carpsucker Gambusia Drum Black bullheads White crappie Green sunfish Longear sunfish Totals No. 64 2h 14 3 2 1 2 110 3 experimental gill nets. % by No. 58.18 21.82 12.73 2.73 1.82 0.90 1.82 100.00 Avg. Wt. No. 2 38 2 60 2 13 6 “a1 18 162 (Ozs. ) 3-5 28 46 10 17 % by Wt. 13.86 41.65 39.87 1.85 0.61 1.05 1.11 100.00 % 1.23 23.46 2.23 37.04 1.23 8.04 3.70 12.96 11.11 100.00 --- Page 35 --- 33. B. Trends and Influences of the Principal Fishery Populations. Shiners and minnows = (excepting carp) This group with mosquitofishes, logperches and darters were very numerous comprising 87.71 percent of all individuals captured by seining. However, their dependency upon actual stream flow can be best shown in the tables and the accompanying description of the various areas. For this reason the low water impoundments that have a tendency to stabilize stream flow are of great importance. It would appear that these species are entirely or largely dependent upon stream flow. Sunfishes - (all Lepomis ) It is debatable whether this group as it now exists are ben- eficial since a relatively few individuals of these denominating populations were large enough to provide acceptable food, and the numbers of the various forage species indicate that they are not necessary or perhaps desirable in that capacity. It is also considered probable that the 72.45 numerical percent obtained by seining is more representative of this groups importance than the 3.98 percent figure obtained through netting. The areas where netting was possible were extremely limited as compared to the areas where seining was possible. For these reasons this group is considered to be a fishery problem rather than a resource of any value. White crappie, largemouth bass and white bass - These populations are absent from much of the included stream areas and where found are too few or too small for utilization. For practical purposes it may be considered that these species furnish no sport in the streamways. The apparent causes for this condition will be introduced under a later heading. Catfishes - Virtually all fish that are utilized or utilizable to the sportsmen belong to this group. Combined totals for channel catfish and flathead catfish make up .73 percent by seining and only 2.99 percent by netting. For practical purposes these figures may be used in evaluating the proportion of utilizable fish for the watershed excepting the reservoirs. ” Suckers, shad and carp - These populations are grouped because it is considered that they collectively or individually on a locality basis constitute the major fishery problem encountered in the survey. The only effective sampling method as employed during this survey for these species is considered to be gill netting. The above populations made up 73.27 percent nemerically and 59.73 percent by weight of all fishes captured in gill nets. These figures and the nature of the waters involved are considered to be self evident that the areas that might otherwise be suitable for the production of more de=- sirable species as largemouth bass, white crappie, white bass, and catfishes are dominated by these undesirable species to such an extent that successful progagation of the game species is impossible. C. Distribution of Species. An annotated checklist with the numbers of the previously described collection stations is regarded as the most suitable method of presenting this portion of the findings of this survey. --- Page 36 --- 34. Annotated Checklist of Species Fish Occurring in the Upper Colorado River System of Texas Lepisosteidae (gars) Lepisosteus osseus (longnose gar) - the most common and abundant of the two species. Found in greatest concentrations in areas 8 through 16, however, prevalent throughout the watershed where permanent water occurs. Lepisosteus productus (spotted gar) - rare and extremely limited in distribution; found below Lake Brownwood in area 29 only. Clupeidae (shad and herrings) Dorosoma cepedianum (gizzard shad) = most common and widely distributed of all species taken. Actually collected or observed at all stations. Characidae (tetras) Astyanax fasciatus (banded tetra) - common from the Concho's to the mouth of the San Saba, rarer as far north as Lake J. B. Thomas. Taken at areas 2, 6, 16, 22 and 2h. Apparently this species has established at least a temporary population in much of the watershed. Catostomidae (suckers and buffalofishes) Ictiobus bubalus (smallmouth buffalo) = common and abundant in localities. Most common below the confluence of the Concho River. Ictiobus niger (black buffalo) - rare found in Lake Brownwood and on Tony Rosalie ranch only. Moxostoma congestum (gray redhorse sucker) = common and distributed throughout the stream system. Carpiodes carpio (river carpsucker) - common and abundant, the species making up the greatest proportion by weight and the dominating species for the watershed. Cyprinidae (shiners and minnows) Cyprinus carpio (carp) - common and distributed throughout the watershed, taken at virtually all seining stations. Cyprinus auratus (goldfish) - taken at station 4 and at 16, these are regarded as escaped individuals. There is no evidence to support a belief. in an established popu- lation. " Notemigonus crysoleucas (golden shiner) - although this species was relatively rare in the stream it is known to exist in significant populations in several of the reservoirs and is often released from state hatcheries in restocking programs. --- Page 37 --- 35. Hybopsis sp.(chub) - accuracy of this identification is definitely questionable but is included with the hope that verification may be obtained at a later date. Phenacobius mirabilis - (suckermouth minnow) - rare, found on Hall ranch and at station No. 8 enly. Notropis deliciosus (sand shiner) - common but localized. Found in areas 1, 8, and 13. (note: N. volucellus previously listed is believed to be a misidentification of this species). Notropis venustus (spottail shiner) - common but abundant only in the Concho's and that portion of the system above Lake J. B. Thomas. Notropis lutrensis (redhorse shiner) - the most common and abundant of all shiners on a watershed basis, taken at almost all collection stations. Dionda episcopa (roundnose minnow) - found on Harris ranch (area 8 only), very abundant in that stream area. Hybognathus placita (plains minnow) - common but not numerous throughout the watershed. Pimephales vigilax (parrot minnow) - common but not numerous throughout the watershed. Campostoma anomalum (steelback) - rare found in areas 8 and 10 only; however, they are more common in the Concho's. Ameiuridae (catfishes) Ictalurus punctatus (channel catfish) - common and distributed throughout the watershed. Ictalurus melas (black bullhead) - rare found in the upper Concho's and in a tank near Lake J. B. Thomas. Ictalurus natalis (yellow bullhead) - common and found throughout the watershed. Pylodictus olivaris (flathead catfish) - common but not numerous. Found throughout the watershed. Cyprinodontidae (killifishes and topminnows) Fundulus kansae (plains killifish) - common and abundant in areas } through 16. Cyprinodon sp. (killifish) - it is believed that two species of this genus occur, however, identification will require confirmation. Poeciliidae (mosquitofishes) Gambusia affinis (common mosquitofish) - common and abundant throughout the watershed. Zambusia sp. (none) - it is not known which of the other species these individuals may be or if it is an undescribed species. Common but localized to Jim Ned Creek drainage. Serranidae (basses) Roccus chrysops (white bass) - common and widely distributed. --- Page 38 --- 36. ; Centrarchidae (black basses and sunfish) Micropterus salmoides (largemouth bass) - rare but widely distributed. Micropterus treculi (Texas spotted bass) - rare restricted to spring fed areas of the Concho's and Pecan Bayou. Chaenobryttus gulosus (warmouth bass) - rare but found throughout the watershed. Lepomis cyanellus (green sunfish) - probably the most numerous species of sunfish through- out the river system. Found at all collection areas. Lepomis microlophus (redear sunfish) - common but never numerous. Lepomis macrochirus (bluegill) ~ second only to green sunfish in abundance and distribution. Lepomis auritus (yellowbelly sunfish) - rare and never numerous. Taken in the Concho's and from reservoirs primarily. Lepomis megalotis (longear sunfish) - common but seldom numerous. Taken at all collection areas. Pomoxis annularis (white crappie) - common and throughout the river system. Pomoxis nigromaculatus (black crappie) - rare but found in areas below station 16 and on the Pecan Bayou watershed. Percidae Hadropterus scierus (dusky darter) - extremely rare found in the spring areas of the Concho's only. Percina caprodes (logperch) - common but seldom numerous found throughout the watershed. Etheostoma spectabile (orangethroat darter) - rare in spring areas of Concho's only. Sciaenidae (drum, croakers and weakf ishes ) Aplodinotus grunniens (freshwater drum) - common but not numberous throughout th…