TPWD 1959 F-5-R-6 #491: Inventory of Species Present in Red Bluff Reservoir near Angeles, Texas

--- Page 1 --- Report of Fisheries Investigations Inventory of Species Present in Red Bluff Reservoir near Angeles, Texas by Lawrence Campbell Project Leader Dingell-Johnson Project Leader F-5-R-6, Job B-17 April 16, 1957 - April 16, 1958 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-6 Name: Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region 3-B. Job No. B-17 Titles: Inventory of Species Present in Red Bluff Reservoir near Angeles, Texas Period Covered: April 16, 1957 - April 16, 1958 Abstract: Extreme fluctuations in the lake level at critical periods, high salinity, and other physical phenomena limit the potential productivity of Red Bluff Reservoir. The existing fish populations are dominated by gizzard shad and white bass and renovation methods are required before other game species may be expected to be contributive to the fishery yield. It is recommended that resurvey work include negotiations with the New Mexico authorities to determine if a cooperative management venture can be arranged. Objectives; To determine species present and their relative abundance as well as to determine the ecological factors influencing their distribution. Procedure: Fifty-eight (58) gill net sets were made at nine locations in the reservoir. Ex- perimental nylon gill nets, measuring 125 feet long by eight feet deep and made up in five, 25-foot sections, were used. Mesh sizes for these nets increased progressively in each following section, at half-inch intervals, beginning with a one-inch square mesh section and terminating with a three-inch square mesh sections. Twenty-seven (27) seining collections were made at five seining stations in the reservoir. In nearly all collections, both 26 foot, + inch mesh bag seines and 15 foot, + inch mesh, common sense seines were used. To estimate relative abundance of the species seined, a count was made of all individuals taken in two hauls with a 26 foot, + inch mesh bag seine. In addition to this work, collections with a 4 foot, 1/16 inch mesh, common sense, fry seine was taken. Water analyses to determine dissolved oxygen content and the quantity of dissolved carbon dioxide were made periodically. Surface temperature, pH and weather conditions were recorded for each netting and seining collection. Turbidity was measured on two occasions. In netting collections, samples from each collection and for each species were weighed, measured and sexed. This work was done in the field. Stomachs containing food --- Page 4 --- were preserved for laboratory examination. Similar work for seining collections in- eluded identification, weighing and measuring. Individual specimens not readily identifiable in the field were preserved in 10 percent solution of formalin. These were later identified in the laboratory. Findings: Red Bluff Reservoir is the fifth in a series of major reservoirs located on the Pecos River. It is impounded by a 9,200 foot compacted earth-fill dam, located three miles upstream from Screwbean Draw, and 4.5 miles north of the town of Orla, Texas, and is designed to have a total storage capacity of 307,000 acre feet of water. The contributing watershed of 20,720 square miles is in the lower Staked Plains. The reservoir is primarily for the impoundment and control of irrigation waters and is owned by Red Bluff Power Control District, whose offices are in Pecos. About 15,000 acres in Reeves, Ward, and Pecos Counties may be irrigated when water supplies permit. As shown in the accompanying hydrology data (Tables 5 & 6), the reservoir is subject to extreme fluctuation because of its use. It is the most saline inland reservoir in the state and possibly in the south; and is generally unstable in nature. The area, particularily in the upper portions of the reservoir which is subject to inundation, is covered with dense concentrations of salt cedar. Access to much of the reservoir area is difficult. Although bulrushes, Scirpus sp., are present in sparse and very limited concentrations, the reservoir has no vegetation problem. Turbidity was not recordable; pH was from 7.8 to 8.0; dissolved oxygen was from 7 to 10 ppm; and dis- solved carbon dioxide was from 0 to 14 ppm. Subsurface infiltration, or seepage of water into the river bed above the reservoir, transported and deposited an estimated 279 tons of salt each 24 hours and a "saline" stratification was considered as possible. Fish Populations: a. Relative Abundance = Because of the previously described concentrations of salt cedar and other obstructions seining could be done as described only near the dam. For that reason gill netting collections are probably more reliable in indicating this aspect of the population study. The species taken are listed in an annotated check- list. b. Species Distribution - Information pertaining to species distribution in Red Bluff Reservoir is included partly in the annotated checklist and partly in the section of the report dealing with trends and influences of the principal fish populations. Annotated Checklist of Species of Fish Taken in Red Bluff Reservoir Lepisosteidae (gars) Lepisosteus osseus (longnose gar) - common and especially abundant near the mouth of the river. --- Page 5 --- Clupeidae (shad and herrings) Dorosoma cepedianum (gizzard shad) - the most numerous and wisely distributed species in the reservoir. Abundant and relatively large in size. Characidae (tetras) Astyanax fasciatus (Mexican jumper) - probably released by persons handling bait. Found near the dam. Catostomidae (suckers) Carpiodes carpio (river carpsucker) - common and abundant, taken in all reservoir areas, high average coefficient of condition, however, apparently there was no significant increase during the second year of work. Moxostoma congestum (gray redhorse sucker) - common but usually restricted to the mouth of the river. Ictiobus bubalus (smallmouth buffalo) - common and occurring throughout the reservoir. Not listed or included under undesirable species since they are sought by sportsmen of the area and have commercial value. Cyprinidae (minnows) Cyprinus carpio (carp) - common and fairly abundant, taken at all netting stations, ossibly controlled or partially controlled by salinity. Notropis lutrensis (redhorse shiner) - common, probably the dominant minnow for the lake. Pimephales vigilax (parrot minnow) - common but less numerous than redhorse shiners or killifishes. Ameiuridae (catfishes) Ictalurus natalis (yellow bullhead) - not actually taken but known to be present imme- diately below release structures and above reservoir in river. Significance undetermined. Ictalurus punctatus (channel catfish) - common but not numerous, evenly distributed but less concentrated in the upper reservoir. Pylodictus olivaris (flathead catfish) - rare and apparently not present in the saline upper reservoir near the river mouth. Cyprinodontidae (killifishes and topminnows) Fundulus kansae (plains killifish) - common and abundant, probably next to shad as the most numerous species for the reservoir. Gambusia affinis (mosquitofish) - abundant in all areas where protection was afforded. --- Page 6 --- Serranidae (basses) Roccus chrysops (white or striped bass) - abundant, the most numerous game species, concentrated near the Pecos mouth, high average coefficient of condition, apparently particularly well suited to this type habitat. Centrarchidae (black basses and sunfish) Micropterus salmoides (largemouth bass) - rare, and confined in distribution to the areas low in salinity near the dam. Unimportant as a resource, no juvenile fish taken in seining, condition poor and indicative of unsuccessful reproduction. Chaenobryttus gulosus (warmouth bass) - rare, taken in seining only. Lepomis cyanellus (green sunfish) - common and fairly abundant near the dam. Lepomis macrochirus (bluegill) - of about equal importance with green sunfish, more widely distributed, but not important as a game species. Lepomis microlophus (redear sunfish) - rare, taken in one collection only. Lepomis megalotis (longear sunfish) - rare, but more numerous than redear. Pomoxis annularis (white crappie) - possibly the most numerous contrarchid, but appar- ently stunted and not present in the extremely saline areas of the river mouth. Percidae (perches and darters) Percina caprodes (logperch) - not actually taken in reservoir, but present in the stream immediately below. Sciaenidae (drum) Aplodinotus grunniens (freshwater drum) - not actually taken in year's netting, but observed in fishermen catches and taken in the previous year of inventory. Believed to be much more common than netting would indicate, more widely distributed, and of some importance as a game fish. --- Page 7 --- Table 1. Results of Gill Netting Collections taken from Red Bluff Reservoir from May 1, 1955 through April 16, 1958 Total Wt. Avg. Wt. Species No. % by No. Oz. Oz. % by Wt. Avg. K Gizzard shad 700 46.69 2,821 4.0 15.18 1.67 River carpsuckers 135 9.00 3,105 23 16.71 2.31 Redhorse suckers 8 0.54 4h 18 0.77 2.18 Carp 36 2.41 720 20 3.87 2.55 Smallmouth buffalo 5 3.00 2,160 48 11.62 2.92 Freshwater drum 12 0.80 72 6 0.38 2.34 Longnose gar 25 1.67 1,075 43 5.78 0.51 Channel catfish 12h 8.27 2,232 18 12.01 2.10 Flathead catfish 2 0.13 76 38 0.40 2.08 Largemouth bass 6 0.40 114 19 0.61 2.34 White crappie 32 2.31 2ho 7.5 1.28 3.90 Sunfishes 13 0.87 38 2.9 0.20 4.13 White bass 361 2.09 5,776 16 31.19 2.38 Total 1,499 100.18 18,573 100.00 --- Page 8 --- Table 2. Results of Gill Netting Collections taken from Red Bluff Reservoir from April 16, 1958 through April 16, 1959 Total Wt. Avg. Wt. Species No. % by No. Oz. Oz. % by Wt. Avg. K Longnose gar 100 12.98 5,600 56 33.69 oTT Gizzard shad 286 37.15 858 3 5.18 1.29 Smallmouth buffalo 80 10.38 5,120 64 30.81 2.54 River carpsuckers 216 28.06 3,456 16 20.79 1.97 Carp 8 1.04 192 ah 1.15 1.37 Channel catfish 8 1.04 384 48 2531 2.0 White bass 68 8.83 952 14 5.73 1.89 Sunf ishes 4 0.52 56 14 0.34 4.28 Totals 770 100.00 16,618 100.00 --- Page 9 --- Table 3. Specific Population Data for Comparative and Analytical Purposes for Red Bluff Reservoir Species No. Percent Avg. Wt. (0z.) % by Wt. Excessive Populations for Undesired Species Gizzard shad 986 71.39 3.92 34.10 River carpsuckers 351 25.42 19 57.85 Carp yy 3.19 20 8.05 Total 1,381 100.00 100.00 Desirable Species and Game Fish Largemouth bass 6 1.00 19 1.18 White bass 42g Tisb2 15.6 69.51 White crappie 32 5.34 Ps 2.47 Channel catfish 132 22.04 19 26.84 Total 599 100.00 100.00 Excessive or Undesir- able Species 1,381 69.75 11,152 56.04 Game Fish 599 30.25 8,746 43.96 Total 1,980 100.00 19,898 100.00 --- Page 10 --- Cl PPM Na & K PPM SO), PPM Solids PPM Ca & C03 Carbonates Oo CO5 Max. Min. Avg. Max. Min. Avg. Max. Min. Avg. Max. Min. Avg. Max. Min. Avg. Max. Min. Avg. Max. Min. Avg. Table 4. 1947 2400 1706 1460 528 1008 2080 1090 1768 6500 3010 5194 2h50 1290 2063 Water Quality for Red Bluff at Orla, Texas 1951 2380 430 1260 1500 270 813 2120 635 1750 6880 1660 4580 2370 The 1930 1952 2960 1050 2310 1840 637 1460 2290 1430 2120 7980 3810 6780 2600 1690 2370 No Records Available 1953 6990 28h0 3870 ALLO 1790 2340 2990 2070 2480 15600 7570 9760 3400 2380 3010 1954. 6790 1620 2650 4290 1380 1700 2980 1100 1720 15200 4.280 6790 3430 1260 1930 ht CONF 1955 5020 900 1150 3220 743 ©0 CO.\O 1956 2810 1000 1690 1790 650 1090 2130 1350 1680 7340 3620 5190 2320 1510 1860 aA 025 7 Year Average PPM 2090 1307 1785 5949 2043 8.08 7°25 --- Page 11 --- Table 5. Hydrology and Fluctuation Data for Red Bluff Reservoir (1953 - 1958) Date El. Acre Ft. 1953 January 2795.2 28,780 February 2796.5 31,100 March 2796.8 31,900 April 2796.2 30, 700 May 2796.1 30,500 June 2795.2 28,780 July 2794.2 26,980 August 2792.8 24,580 September 2792.0 23, 300 October 2788.8 18,840 November 2791.1 21,950 December 2793.5 25,750 1954 January 2799.1 36, 840 February 2799.2 37,080 March 2792.9 2h, 740 April 2799.2 27,080 May 2798.9 36, 380 June 2796.7 31,700 July 2790.2 20,680 August 2794.9 28 , 220 September 2788.9 18,970 October 2797.5 33, 350 November 2797.7 33,770 December 2798.1 34,620 1955 January 2826.7 164,200 February 2826.4 162,000 March 2823.4 141,600 April 2810.1 115,600 May 2816.7 102,500 June 2812.2 80, 900 July 2805.0 53,000 August 27933 25,410 September 2796.7 31,700 October 2826.6 163,500 November 2826.5 162, 800 December 2826.4 162,000 1956 January 2816.7 102,500 February 2816.8 103,000 March 2816.0 99,000 April 2812.3 81, 350 May 2810.8 74,700 June 2807.0 60 , O00 July 2800.7 40,750 August 2794.2 26,960 --- Page 12 --- 10. Table 5. Hydrology and Fluctuation Data for Red Bluff Reservoir (Continued) Date El. Acre Ft. 1956 September 2791.9 23,150 October 2815.1 94, 500 November 2815.5 96,500 December 2816.2 100,000 Date Max. El. Min. El. Avg. Fluc. Avg. Ac. Ft. 1955 October 115.1 96.7 105.0 18.4 55,900 November 115.5 115.1 115.3 O.4 95,500 December 116.2 115.5 115.85 0.7 97,900 1956 January 116.7 116.3 116.5 0.4 101,500 February 116.9 116.8 116.85 ome 103,200 March 116.8 116.3 116.55 0.5 101,700 April 115.9 112.7 114.3 3.2 91,700 May 112.3 111.0 111.65 1.3 78,400 June 110.7 107.0 108.8 3.7 66,700 July 107.0 100.7 103.8 6.3 48,500 August 100.5 95.1 97.8 5.4 33,980 September 94.0 92.2 93.1 1.8 24,900 October 92.5 91.9 92.2 0.6 23,620 November 93.4 92.9 93.1 0.5 25,070 December 95.0 93.5 94.2 1.5 26,960 1957 January 96.0 95.0 95.5 1.0 29 ,430 February 95.0 83.5 89.3 11.5 19,490 March 86.2 83.5 84.8 2.7 14,000 April 86.8 86.2 86.6 0.6 16,010 May 87.1 85.4 86.3 ix] 15,660 June 89.6 88.9 89.3 0.7 19,490 July 88.9 88.0 88.5 0.9 18,450 August 96.8 88.6 92.7 8.2 2h, 400 September 94.2 87.9 90.0 6.3 22, 300 October 91.0 87.2 88.1 3.8 19,280 November 93.2 91.2 92.2 1.0 23,670 December 94.9 93.3 93.6 1.6 26,815 --- Page 13 --- 1958 1959 Table 5. Date January February March April May June July August September January February March April ll. Hydrology and Fluctuation Data for Red Bluff Reservoir Max. El. 96.5 97.8 98.7 98.7 104.3 104.6 103.3 105.6 110.2 18.05 18.82 18.80 17.60 (Continued ) Min. El. Avg. 94.9 95-7 96.6 97.2 97.8 98.2 94.3 96.5 94.3 99.3 102.7 103.6 100.0 101.6 97.0 101.3 104.6 107.4 1745 17.75 18.30 18.56 17.75 18.27 15.52 16.56 Fluc. Avg. Ac. Ft. 30, 360 32,700 34,960 31, 540 39,020 48,950 43,450 43,700 62,050 ed AAW OO FLO OV MRO WOWFOFOrRH 108,500 112,650 ‘ 111,000 208 96,000 Ow OV who --- Page 14 --- 12. Table 6. The following data are intended primarily to illustrate the extremes of fluctuation as they occurred during the various months and are for specific instances rather than to provide general perspective. Volume and verticle variations are not necessarily from the same year and should not be considered as average figures. It was necessary to present this evidence in this manner since the topography of the reservoir basin is such that surface increase (and a corresponding significant increase or decrease in volume) may occur with relatively little increase or decrease in lake level. The verticle fluctuation increases per unit volume as the lake is recessed into the more extreme natural depression that is the reservoir basin. The maximum volume and mini- mum volume are from the same month in the same year. Fluctuation Data for Six Recent Years (1953 thru 1959) Maximum Minimum Vert. Avg. Vert. Month Vol. Ac/ft. Vol. Ac/ft. Fluc. Max. Avg. Ac/ft. Fluc. in Ft. January 108,500 112,650 - 1.6 77,000 +2 February 162,000 141,600 - 2.92 80,000 $1 March 141,600 115,600 - 6.3 69,000 - 5 April 115,600 102,500 - 4.6 53,000 - 3 May 102,500 53,000 - 10.0 46,000 - 3 June 80,900 53,000 - 7.2 42,000 -2 July 53,000 25,410 - 12.3 41,000 - 0 August 29 , 240 18,840 - 8.6 34,000 - 6 September 163,500 31,700 + 29.3 46,000 + 8 October 23,670 19, 280 + 3.8 46,500 + 4 November 25,750 21,950 + 2.1 68,500 + 5 December 36,840 34,620 + 1.6 74,000 t 3 --- Page 15 --- 13. Other Aspects of Hydrological Findings In Table 6 the average volume in acre feet and the average figure for verticle fluctuations were arrived at by taking an average volume for thirty days for each month for each year and obtaining an average volume for the six year period. The fluctuations within any specific month are not taken into account or thus illus- trated although for several months and in particular for May and June the fluctuations within the month were much more extreme than indicated by an average fluctuation figure. June is probably more illustrative than other months. Although the average fluctuation is a minus two feet; in four of six instances the figure was nearer the maximum figure of a minus 4.6 feet. Average annual vertical fluctuation was about 21.2 feet and the average annual variation in volume was 20,500 acre feet. However, extreme fluctuation in the first eight months of the year may be best illustrated from the 1955 and 1956 records. In 1955 the reservoir was reduced from a storage of 164,200 acre feet in January to 25,410 acre feet in August, or to 15.48 percent of its January volume. During the same period the reservoir was reduced 33.4 feet vertically. In 1956 the reservoir contained 102,000 acre feet and was reduced to 23,150 acre feet by the following September, or about 22.69 percent of its January voluem. During this period the lake receeded 24.7 feet vertically. The fluctuation trend may be generalized by stating that almost without a monthly exception rapid reduction occurs during the spring and summer because of withdrawals for irrigation, and a build up in storage takes place during the fall and winter when the water is not required for agricultural purposes. The effect of this hydrological procedure on fish life will be discussed under fish population trends and influences. Trends and Influences of the Fishery Populations Hydrological Influence Examination of the hydrology charts and those on the results of gill netting collections will focus attention on the effect of water utilization practices and their obvious effect on the game fish populations. The absence or insignificance of large-= mouth bass, white crappie and other late spring spawners is obviously due or, at least, greatly influenced by the annual drop in the lake level of about eight or ten feet during April, May and June. The net result of these practices is that at best a minimum spawning requirement is provided and growing room for the progeny is continually reduced at the period when it is most urgently needed for a fishery yield of those species. This phenomena plus the more or less stabilization of the lake's waters when the white bass spawn resulted in their complete dominance of the game species in the reservoir. Gizzard shad, also apparently benefiting from early spawning, have dominated the forage species. Extreme fluctuations in the lake level in June and July virtually prohibit the successful spawning of catfishes, and it is considered probable that fish of this kind occurring in netting collections were spawned in the contributive streamways or were released from hatcheries. Salinity and Other Water Quality Properties Salinity in Red Bluff Reservoir varies between a maximum of about 4,000 ppm to a nimum of less than 1,500 ppm. There is direct relationship between quantity of storage and salinity. At times when flow into the upper reservoir is at a minimum, and espe- cially when evaporation is high, an extreme salinity results in fish kills. Drum, river --- Page 16 --- 14, carpsuckers, carp, smallmouth buffalo and white crappie have been apparently killed by this occurrence, and it is also concluded that spawns for these species are occasionally, or often, destroyed. There is apparently, at least temporarily, and under specific conditions, a kind of saline stratification. It is common practice of the persons responsible for water released to "flush out" this highly saline layer by releasing a suitable volume before water, to be used down stream for irrigation, is released. Interpopulation Influences Only one interdependence of significance appeared to exist. For practical purposes the relationship between white bass and gizzard shad may be said to produce the only fishery asset available and utilized by sportsmen. The extent of dominance of these species is best illustrated in Table 3. Of all fish taken that were not specifically re- garded as game species, gizzard shad made up 71.39 percent numerically. White bass dominated all game species by making up 71.62 percent of that group. Of all fish taken in gill nets the combined totals for white bass and gizzard shad made up 71.75 percent of the catch. River carpsuckers were increasing rapidly during the later survey period, and for the last twelve months made up 28.06 percent of the catch by number. Carp actually decreased, but the difference in occurrence is so slight that it is not considered signifi- cant. If smallmouth buffalo are included with the undesirable species as shown in Table 3, the dominance of undesirable species over desirable species is 72.05 percent numerically as compared to 27.95 percent for game species. Other Aspects of the Fish Populations Fifty-eight (58) gill net sets and twenty-seven (27) seining collections resulted in obtaining fish of twenty-four (24) species and eleven (11) families. There was no lack of forage species indicated by either seining or netting. Co-efficients of condi- tion, however, were less than is usually expected for the region. This phenomena or condition may result entirely from the described hydrological conditions and water util- ization practices but this is not as yet proven. The salinity that apparently destroys production of some species does not apparently effect others, primarily catfishes. How- ever, fishing results for other species are generally unproductive. Significance of Distribution of Principal Species The concentration of game species as they occurred in gill net collections was rather pronounced and is shown on the accompanying map. Whether this congregation by species is a result primarily of currents within the reservoir or salinity is not as yet determined. The reservoir, however, was productive from a fishing standpoint only in these areas and for the species shown. Summary: 1. Fifty-eight (58) gill net sets and twenty-seven (27) seining collections resulted in the capture of twenty-four (24) species of fish from lelven (11) families. 2. Fluctuations for Red Bluff Reservoir are prohibitive to the successful spawning of largemouth bass, channel catfish, white crappie and possibly several other game species. 3. Hydrological conditions and water utilization practices are beneficial to white bass and gizzard shad. These two species make up over 71 percent of all individuals captured in gill net colilections. --- Page 17 --- 15. 4, Rough fish or undesirable species make up 72 percent of the fish taken in gill net collections. River carpsuckers increased significantly during the last twelve (12) months of inventory. 5. Salinity may be a significant control on some species of fish, and there appears to be a kind of saline stratification in the reservoir. Recommendations: An appraisal of the evidence obtained during this survey results in the obvious conclusion that management effort is required before fishing can be improved. However, no population control effort is practical at this time because critical areas of the water impounded reaches into New Mexico and into the stream above the state line. This portion of the area to be managed cannot be treated without the consent and co-operation of that state. For that reason it is recommended that this reservoir be included in the resurvey work for the region, and that negotiations be undertaken with the New Mexico authorities to determine if a cooperative venture in the management of these resources can be arranged. 2pared by Lawrence Campbell Approved by pote Project Leader Director Inland Fisheries Division Date December 1, 1959 --- Page 19 --- ARBAS OF RESERVOIR WHERE PRINCIPAL - New Mexicdi SPECIES CONGREGATED Texas y a a“ a“ “A To < m2 Concession ~ Carlsbad GED a % ee val ee . < ae WE US HW 285 ~ —_ Gs Gs ome ~ Gs ~ Gs g > — ! a ; . “ Smb 4 2 S To Pecos : Res Jf, K We Concession RED BLUFF RESERVOIR scc LMB PECOS RIVER SYMBOLS WB - White Bass Gs — Gizzard Shad Smb — Smallmouth Buffalo SCC — Channel Catfish LMB - Largemouth Bass We - White Crappie Res - River Carpsuckers