TPWD 1969 F-5-R-16 #1280: Region I-B Fisheries Studies: Job No. 2 Pollution Studies

--- Page 1 --- JOB PROGRESS REPORT E ] L E As required by FEDERAL AID IN FISHERIES RESTORATION ACT TEXAS Federal Aid Project No. F-5-16 REGION I-B FISHERIES STUDIES Job No. 2 Pollution Studies . Project Leader: Billy J. Follis J. R. Singleton Executive Director Parks and Wildlife Department Austin, Texas Marion Toole Eugene A. Walker D-J Coordinator Director, Wildlife Services March 28, 1969 --- Page 2 --- “esdtvnse nti tat et eer i --- Page 3 --- JOB PROGRESS REPORT State of Texas Project No.: F-5-16 Name: Region I-B Fisheries Studies Job No.: 2 Title: Pollution Studies Period Covered: March 1, 1968 to February 28, 1969 Objectives: To determine the source and nature of pollution. Le To determine extent of damage to fish populations. pe To trace the source of pollution. 3. To attempt to determine the nature of the pollutant. 4. To report instances of violation and negligence to the State Water Quality Board, Procedures: Field investigations were made where suspected pollution-caused fish kills were encountered or reported, Reports of the findings were related to appropriate authorities if remedial measures were deemed necessary. Findings: Reports of fish dying in the stilling basin behind North Concho Dam were received on April 16, 1968. Investigations on the same day revealed an insignificant number of dead small fish including white crappie, gizzard shad, channel catfish and drum. The dissolved oxygen content was found to be critically low in the lower depths of this still water. This condition was concluded to be the cause of death. A fish die-off was reported on Lake J. B. Thomas (Scurry and Borden Counties) on September 11, 1968. An inquiry to the lake superintendent and lake patrol failed to confirm this incident. An investigation by the Parks and Wildlife regional chemist also failed to find any evidence of the reported fish-kill. Several reports of dead and dying gizzard shad at Lake Nasworthy were received in September. Investigations, made on 2 occasions, found the water quality to be normal with no indication of pollution. All of the affected gizzard shad examined were in extremely poor physical condition and a few had --- Page 4 --- ~2- ea lesions and hemorrhages at the base of the fins. Also during the month of September, a small number of fish died in ponds at the San Angelo Hatchery No, 2, which receives water from Lake Nasworthy. These fish were killed by Aeromonas sp. Although the shad from Nasworthy were not examined as thoroughly as those in the hatchery, it is quite probable that they were also killed by Aeromonas. Investigations conducted during this segment failed to find any evidence of pollution, consequently, they were not reported to the State Water Quality Board, Recommendations: It is recommended that this job be continued in an effort to detect, investigate, and correct any future pollution problems, ¢ _— YI2, . 4 Y Prepared by _ Billy J. Follis Approved by OLAPtCEOV A ana Project Leader Coordinator Date; March 28, 1969 Leo D. Lewis Inland Fisheries Supervisor