TPWD 1958 F-5-R-5 #365: Basic Survey and Inventory of Species Present in the Pecos River of Texas

Report of Fisheries Investigations Basic Survey and Inventory of Species Present in the Pecos River of Texas by Lawrence Campbell Project Leader Dingell-Johnson Project F-S—R-E, Job Bwl3 April 16, 1957 - April 16, 1958 H. D. Dodgen - Executive Secretary Texas Game and Fish Commission Austin, Texas Marion Toole KEDneth C. Jurgens & William H. Brown Coordinator Assistant Coordinators Job Completion Report State of TEXAS Project No. F-S-R-S Name: Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region 3-B. Job No. B-l3 Title: Basic Survey and Inventory of Species Present in the Pecos River of Texas. Period Covered: April 16, 1957 - April 16, 1958 Abstract: The Pecos River of Texas was found to be a highly saline stream which is divided into three main ecological associations. The upper reaches of the river are characterized by turbid, intermittent pools. In the middle reaches of the river are sluggish pools, which are long, deep and infested with vegetation. The lower river, to its confluence with the Rio Grande, is spring fed and has permanent flow. During the study period, the most im— portant fish species in the upper reaches were the white bass and gizzard shad while channel catfish and minnows were the most important species in the remainder of the stream. In all, fortywnine species of fourteen fish families were identified. Pollution, public access and water conservation practices were found to be the primary fishery problems of the river. It is recommended that work be done to solve these problems, that experimental stock- ing be continued, and that a future means of utilizing the salt plays lakes and the potential stream areas in the mountains be sought. Objectives: 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 and production. Cooperating agencies: Texas Board of Water Engineers United States Geological Survey Red Bluff Power and Water Control District International Boundry and Water Commission Procedure: A. Basic Survey Standard procedures were employed to secure the information necessary to complete stream survey forms similar to those given by Lagler in his HANDBOOK OF FRESHWATER FISHERY BIOLOGY. B. Inventory of Species Twentymeight seining stations were established to determine the fish species present, their distribution, and their relative abundance. 1. Attempts were made to collect fish at each seining station more than once but because of changing stream conditions this was often impossible. 2. Gill net collections were taken whenever access permitted and the stream was sufficiently deep and clear of vegetation or obstructions. 3. At appropriate intervals in the stream areas worked, water analyses were made and recorded along with other data pertaining to water quality and condition including pH, air and water temperatures. h. Where field identification of fish specimens was in doubt, individuals were preserved in 10% formalin and examined in the laboratory. 5. The portions of the watershed not covered in this survey were confined to the Davis Mountains Area. Findings: The Pecos River rises in Mora, Santa Fe, San Miguel, and Torrance Counties of New Mexico. Its contributing watershed above the TeanMNew'Mexico Border contains about 20, 239 square miles. The average discharge into Red Bluff Reservoir is about 315.6 c. f. s The watershed is characterized by short grasses and very arid sandy plains. It is the. desert or semiwdesert that was a barrier to westward migration and development about one hundred years ago. It is the Llano Estacado of history. The mountains that rise out of this desert are known as the Santa Fe Mountains and are a part of the Rocky Mountain System. A series of reservoirs beginning with Nichols Reservoir on Santa Fe Creek and including Almogordo Reservoir, Lake McMillan, and Lake Avalon regulate stream flow into Texas. These reservoirs have a combined storage capacity of 182,000 plus acre feet. Diversions and groundwwater withdrawals above the state line provide irrigation for 181,500 acres of New Mexico farm land. Most of the water entering Texas from the Upper Pecos River is controlled by the Red Bluff water Power and Control District with offices in Pecos, Texas. Except for an unknown portion of the quantities of local runeoff, insignificant seepage, and slight contributions from springs into the river; all stream flow is controlled by Red Bluff Reservoir. This reservoir has a potential storage of 307,000 acre feet volume and has not been filled to spillway capacity since its construction in 1937. For convenience in description of the various portions of the watershed and the stream and because of the difference in the ecological aspect of the watershed and stream, it was surveyed in a southward direction. The area worked was arbitrarily subdivided into three sections. Detailed data on hydrology*and chemical content*§re included in appropriate charts. The following descriptions are intended only to provide a general description of the regions. From Red Bluff Reservoir a vast irrigation system, of an estimated 128 miles of canals and laterals, branches out to irrigate about 21,000 acres, most of which are located between Mentone and Imperial, Texas. Permanent earthen and concrete diversion dams and, brush dams for temporary use, channel the released water from the river bed to its destined area. A 1,000 acre foot control reservoir is employed for temporary storage and is located in a bend of the river about ten miles northwest of Imperial. * See Tables I, II & III. ** See Table IV. On the flats at the base of the Guadalupe Mountains below Sierra Diablo, South of Pecos, and to a lesser extent throughout this region, natural plays salt lakes such as Lake Toyah occur. These lakes are devoid of fish life. Alkaline marshes are often adjacent to the stream and discharge large quantities of chlorides into the river bed. An example of the extent of this discharge is the 27h tons per day that are estimated to be discharged into Red Bluff reservoir on occasions. Above Imperial the stream is characterized by intermittent pools that are often created and maintained by the previously described diversion dams and by natural depressions in the river bed. During inventory, only two streams were encountered in this region where any stability of flow was observed. A tributary of Delaware Creek, located in the Guadalupe Mountains in McKittrick Canyon on the J. C. Hunter ranch was maintained by springs and seepage for about fourteen miles before it entered a porousfommation about seven miles west of the Van Horanarlsbad highway near Pine Springs. This was private stream and was apparently successfully producing trout fishing for the owners. At present it has no significance in considering stream management for the river. A number of springs such as Maderia Springs, San Solomon Springs and others provide flow into Balmorhea Lake, an irrigation reservoir near that city. Because of the premium placed on water for irrigation, no consideration has been given to fishery management; and fluctuations in this reservoir prevent it from providing any significant fishery yield. It does not contribute to the river at any time. This stream area is unstable and offers little opportunity for fishery development. Pools in the stream are usually turbid, low in oxygen and high in carbon dioxide content, are saline and have silty bottoms. lecause of fluctuation vegetation as saw grass, (Zizaniopsis'gp.), and cattails (Typha sp.) are not management problems. The stream banks are usually moderately steep, but are often covered with salt cedar to such an extent that access is very difficult. From Imperial to Sheffield the stream is characterized by large pools through which a minimum flow is usually maintained, although such flow is often through gravel deposits between pools. The stream is much deeper and is permanent in nature. Dense vegetation makes sampling by seines or nets extremely difficult. Chara (Chara sp.), coontail (Cerataphyllum sp.), and parrots feather (Mygiophgllum s2.) are the principal types. Cattails, saw grass and bullrushes are also abundant in localities. 'The water is still highly saline; however, it is clear and there is no deficiency in oxygen or carbon dioxide content. Severe and extensive pollution from oil fields occurrs from Girvin to Bakers— field to Sheffield. This will be discussed later under that heading. Redfish were released in this area and have survived. From Sheffield to the river mouth the stream is characterized by spring fed associa- tions. Independence Creek, Live Oak Creek, and others provide permanent and significant flow. Access is extremely difficult because of the banks which often are over one hundred feet above the river bed. There is no vegetation excepting algae and other pelagic aquatics. The stream bed is rock or coarse gravel. The water is unusually clear and the dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide content is very favorable for fish life. This third area has a largerquantitycfi‘weter than the combined totals for the other areas described, has more and better game fish populations, and offers excellent management prospects. :However, public access is not available at this time. The following charts are regarded as the best expression of water quality and hydrol— ogy for the river during the survey period. (See Tables I through IV) Historical Change - The following information or comment is included to briefly illustrate the changes that have taken place and to designate their effect on fish life and on the prospects for future fishery development. In 1849, a Lt. French, while en“ gaged in finding suitable travel routes through western Texas, described the Pecos River as "a narrow deep stream, its waters turbid and bitter, and carry, in both mechanical mixture and chemical solution, more impurities than any other river in the south. The only inhabitants of its waters are catfish”. Others of that period describe the river as being too deep and swift for safe crossing except at "Horsehead Crossing" near Imperial. Many springs Comanche, Leon, White Sands, Ojo Escondidio, Madeiria, and many others provided permanent stream flow, and the ground water was contributing in much of the area. After the settlement of the country, all of these waters were used in irrigation. This development and exploitation of the rivers sources has continued until today. None of the above springs are contributing; the ground water is at least eight or ten feet lower than it was at the turn of the century and the exploitation is continu~ ing at a rapid pace. (See attached map) Pollution m As illustrated by the above description, the Pecos has been polluted by salt possibly since its creation. This natural pollution results primarily from fractures or faults in subsurface formations that permit the percolative action of ground waters to deposit these minerals into the stream. Alkali deposits on the surface add mineral to runmoff, and salt springs that are naturally formed by aquifers are also contributive. Man made pollution is primarily from two sources. Oil field exploration and development for the past thirty years have resulted in both surface and subsurface release of petroleum and salt water and other materials that are injurious to fish life. Many dams and dikes that are constructed to retain oil well waste become full and overflow with run-off; wastes leak from production procedures; subsurface pollution occurs from wells improperly sealed. A.man near Iraan, Texas, makes his living from skimming the oil off the surface of the stream that has leaked or has been lost from wells in that area. The complexity of this problem on the river between Grandfalls and Sheffield would require an extensive study and costly equipment. PrObably two men for a year or more. Pollution also occurs from agricultural methods.“ Crop dusting or spraying is carried out extensively and some of the substances used are residual in nature and are carried by run-off into the stream in sufficient concentrations to cause fish kills. Unplugged wells where responsibility can not be fixed are present. Fish Populations: Twenty eight stations on the stream were netted or seined. Because of stream conditions, it was often impossible to duplicate exactly (in instances where two collec- tions were made at a particular station), however, every reasonable effort at duplication was made. Fortyunine species of fourteen families were positively identified and at least six additional species are believed to be present. The following annotated check- list is regarded as the better information pertaining to species distribution. Tables VI and VII are primarily for relative abundance. Other aspects of the fish populations are covered under trends and influences. Annotated Checklist of Species of Fish in The Pecos River of Texas Lepisosteidae (gars) Lepisosteus osseus (longnose gar) - common and abundant in localities. The most numerous and widely distributed species for this group. Lepisosteus productus (spotted gar) — rare found only in the upper and primary stream and there only below Grandfalls. Lepisosteus spatula (alligator gar) - taken only near the mouth of the river and probably does not occur more than five or ten miles north of the Rio Grande. Clupeidae (herrings) Dorosoma cepedianum (gizzard shad) — common and abundant throughout the watershed, one of the most important forage species, possibly the greatest population by weight. Salmonidae (trouts) Salmo gairdneri (rainbow trout) - McKittrick canyon in the Guadalupe Mountains only. There is evidence that this species is reproducing successfully; however, the original stock were imported from New Mexico in 1929. Characidae (tetras) Astyanax fasciatus (banded tetra) _ common below Sheffield and rare but present to Red Bluff Reservoir. Extreme fluctuation in population in localities. Catostomidae (suckers and buffalofishes) Cycleptus elongatus (blue sucker) - common near the mouth but restricted to that area. Ictiobus bubalus (smallmouth buffalo) - rare but present as far north as the Texas-New Mexico line. Moxostoma congestum (gray redhorse sucker) a common and distributed more or less uniform— ly throughout the watershed. Carpiodes carpio (river carpsucker) - common and abundant except in the last few miles near the mouth of the river. Cyprinidae (shiners and minnows) Cyprinus carpio (German carp) - common and abundant on a locality basis. More abundant in the upper one half of the watershed. Carassius auratus (goldfish) a introduced and rare. Taken near Imperial. Notemigonus crysoleucas (golden shiner) - rare, but fairly widely distributed. Probably introduced by hatchery release. Hybopsis aestivalis (speckled chub) w rare, taken from Independence Creek only. Phenacobius mirabilis (suckermouth minnow) w extremely rare, regarded as released by bait dealers. Notropis percobromus (plains Shiner) w taken in the upper watershed as far south as BuenamVistawCrane highway crossing. Notropis venustus (spottail Shiner) - restricted to the mid areas of the watershed abun- 'dant only on Chandler Ranch near Sheffield. Notropis lutrensis (redhorse Shiner) w common and abundant, the most numerous, important, and widely distributed forage species for the watershed. Dionda episcopa (roundnose minnow) - the dominant minnow in most of the area where it occurs. Found below Sheffield. Hybognathus placita (plains minnow) = rare and confined to the upper one third of the watershed. Pimephales vigilax (parrot minnow) w common but not numerous above McCamey. Campostoma anomalum (stoneroller) e taken in Independence Creek and at the mouth of the river only. Ameiuridae (catfishes) Ictaiurus punctatus (channel catfish) w the most common and widely distributed of this group. Probably the most important game species for most of the watershed. Ictalurus furcatus (blue catfish) n taken near the mouth only. Abundant in that area. Ictalurgg natalis (yellow'bullhead) m rare in the stream areas below Imperial, but very abundant above that area. Ictalurus melas_(black bullhead) w confined to localities but abundant where found. Pylodictus olivaris (flathead catfish) m common but never numerous. Cyprinodontidae (killifishes and topminnows) Fundulus kansae (plains killifish) _ common and distributed throughout the upper two thirds of the watershed. Fundulus pp. (Pecos River killifish) _ presumably an undescribed species. Found at Wink Lake, at several stations near Imperial and Grandfalls. Cyprinodon variegatus (variegated cyprinodon) m taken near Imperial and presumably in- troduced. Cyprinodon bovinus (Leon Springs pupfish) m not found but listed in the literature for this watershed, presumed extinct. Cyprinodon elegans (Comanche Springs pupfish) — not actually collected and identified but taken from Hubbs checklist. Cyprinodon sp. (Pecos River pupfish) - common in the upper watershed. Poeciliidae (mosquitofishes) Gambusia nobilis (Pecos gambusia) - common in upper watershed. Gambusia affinis (mosquitofish) - common throughout watershed. Mugilidae (mullets) Mugil cephalus (striped mullet) - not actually taken but reported from the mouth of the Pecos. - Serranidae (basses) Roccus chrysops (striped bass) - common and when conditions permit, the most important game species for the watershed. Centrarchidae (black basses and sunfishes) Micropterus punctulatus (spotted bass) - rare and this may be a case of misidentification. Micropterus salmoides (largemouth bass) - rare but widely distributed. Chaenobryttus gulosus (warmouth bass) - common but never numerous. Lepomis cyanellus (green sunfish) - common and abundant found throughout the watershed. Lepomis microlophus (redear sunfish) — common but never numerous in the upper watershed. Not taken near mouth. Lepomis macrochirus (bluegill sunfish) - common and abundant. Prdbably the most numerous species of this group. Lepomis humilis (orange spotted sunfish) - common but never abundant. Lepomis auritus (yellowbelly sunfish) « common in the upper watershed as far south as Iraan, but never abundant. Lepomis megalotis (longear sunfish) a common and abundant. Some evidence of hybridization in a number of individuals. Pomoxis annularis (white crappie) - rare and localized in distribution. Percidae (perches and darters) dadropterus sp. (Pecos darter) e presumably an undescribed species of this genus. Percina caprodes (logperch) w found primarily below brush diversion dams in the upper watershed. Rare. Sciaenidae (drum and weakfishes) Aplodinotus grunniens (freshwater drum) a common, but more abundant in the upper portions of the reservoir. Sciaenops ocellata (redfish) w rare, known to be released by the Texas Game and Fish Commission, confined to the area near Imperial. Cichilidae (cichlids) Cichlasoma cyanoguttatum (Rio Grande cichlid) ~ common from Balmorhea to mouth. B. Trends and Influences of the Principal Fishery Populations. Killifishes and topminnows - In all areas where the stream was intermittent or where salinity was unusually high, these fishes were quick to gain dominance. In several instances where stations were rechecked it appeared that more desirable forage and game species quickly disappeared as salinity increased with a reduction of water volume in stream pools, and there was a remarkable increase in the numbers of these species. It also appeared that killifishes could tolerate crowding to an extent where there may have been an actual increase in total fish per unit volume. (The weight of killifishes and pupfish in a reduced volume may have exceeded the total weight for all species in a greater volume under different conditions.) The utility of these fish as forage for game species is undetermined, however, they have been recovered from stomachs of the redfish that were released near Imperial. The apparent ecological succession for the upper watershed appears to be a reduction of killifishes during periods when sustained runeoff occurs and for a short period following this phenomena and a gradual and at times a rapid recapture of dominance by this group from game species and from minnows and shiners. Minnows and shiners m These pOpulations and their relative density were apparently controlled by three variables. Of primary importance was stream flow and its stability, however, in some localities natural salinity and in many others salt pollution were detrimental. Pollution as discussed elsewhere also apparently controlled the game fish populations. Suckersz carp and other species of questionable benefit - As in virtually all stream.areas in the region, river carpsuckers were excessive in much of the stream. However, where flow was stabilized and where the stream was unpolluted suckers, carp, and other undesirable species were not dominant. Blue suckers in the lower stream were numerous, but apparently catfishes were able to compete successfully. Gizzard shed and white bass m In the upper stream areas when runwoff occurred or when periodic releases were made from Red Bluff Reservoir or Imperial Reservoir, the flow thus created had tremendous effect upon the spawning and growth rate for these species. When flow was created in the spring, extensive schools of shad were observed and during the following fall and summer white bass fishing results were excellent. Sampling before and after this phenomena confirmed this occurrence. White bass fishing can for practical purposes be considered to be the only significant fishery yield for all stream areas above Sheffield, Texas, and as previously stated this yield is virtually dependent upon uncertain and infrequent occurrences of stream flow. Further evidence of the cycle of