TPWD 1971 F-4-R-18 #1394: Investigation of a Portion of the Brazos River: Region 2-A Fisheries Studies, Job No. B-42

--- Page 1 --- <a JOB PROGRESS REPORT a As required by FEDERAL AID IN FISHERIES RESTORATION ACT TEXAS Federal Aid Project No. F-4-R-18 REGION 2-A FISHERIES STUDIES Job No. B-42: Investigation of a Portion of the Brazos River Assistant Project Leader: Allen A. Forshage Clayton Garrison Executive Director Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Austin, Texas To). «Peters Robert J. Kemp, Jr. Chief of Inland Fisheries ; Director, Fish and Wildlife December 14, 1972 > SS --- Page 2 --- ‘Abstract A survey of the Brazos River, extending from the tailrace below Possom Kingdom Reservior to the head waters of Lake Granbury was conducted. The results of this survey indicate that the tailrace, for the first four miles below the dam, would be suitable for a rainbow trout, (Salmo gairdneri), "put-and-take" fishery. It was also found that, at high flow, the river has the potential for the reproduction of striped bass, (Morone saxatilis). -— --- Page 3 --- Job: Progress Report State of Texas Project No. F-4-R-18 Name: Region 2-A Fisheries Studies Job No. B-42 Title: Investigation of a portion of the Brazos River Period Covered: January 1, 1971 to December 31, 1971 Objective: To determine the biological, chemical, and physical characteristics of the Brazos River extending from the tailrace waters below Possum Kingdom Dam to the headwaters of Lake Granbury. Introduction: At present, the only rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri, fishery in Texas is located in the tailrace waters of Canyon Reservoir, Comal County, Texas. This fishery is maintained on a "put-and-take" basis, but it has proven successful for the past five years and has contributed greatly to the economy and recreation of the area (White, 1968). Because of the success of this fishery, a survey of the tailwaters of Possum Kingdom Reservoir, in Palo Pinto County, was initiated to determine the suitability of the river for trout. Procedures: In January, sampling stations were set up along the first 20 miles of the Brazos River below Possum Kingdom Reservoir. Nine of the stations were selected in the first 11 miles and one was selected 20 river miles below the dam, see Figure 1. Water samples were collected at each sampling station each month and analyzed for pH, turbidity, oxygen, alkalinity, free carbon dioxide, chlorides and hydro- gen sulfide. The width and depth of the streamwas recorded and the type of substrate was noted. The air and water temperature was measured with a standard centigrade thermometer. The volume of flow was obtained through the courtesy of the U. S. Geological Survey. Benthic samples were collected monthly with a Surber square foot bottom sampler. Three samples were taken at each of the ten stations. These samples were pooled and washed through a U. S. No. 30 Standard Sieve. The sieved residue was placed in a jar and a preservative added to cover the entire sample. The sample was returned to the lab where it was sorted, identified to the family level and enumerated, The fish population was sampled by the use of a 20 foot seine and gill nets. In addition, a check of the available public access and a check of the current fishing pressure of the area was made. --- Page 4 --- -2- Figure I - Sampling sites on the Brazos River below Possum Kingdom Reservoir. Possum Kingdom Reservoir Brazos River @ - sampling sites Scale 10 --- Page 5 --- «3 A review of the available literature pertaining to trout and striped bass was also made in conjunction with this survey. Results: Water Quality Characteristics The major limiting factor for a trout fishery in Texas waters, is water tem- perature. Rainbow trout have been reported to tolerate water temperature from below 32°F to over 80°F. The upper lethal limit varies considerably depending upon the oxygen content of the water, size of fish, and degree of acclimation (Needham and Jones, 1959). A maximum of 83°F in well oxygenated waters was indicated lethal to rainbow trout by Needham (1938). During the summer months, when the water temperature is most critical, a con- siderable volume of water, being released from the hypolimnion, is required to sustain a low water temperature for any distance downstream. As most rivers in the region, the volume of flow of the Brazos River had been reduced due to drought conditions in the area. The level of Possum Kingdom Reservoir was down approximately 20 feet at one point during August. As a result, a minimal amount of water was released from the dam for the first eight months of the survey. Table 1 shows the volume of flow in cubic feet per second for 1971 recorded by the U. S. Geological Survey gauging station on the Brazos River near Palo Pinto. The water temperature of the tailrace below Possum Kingdom Reservoir stayed within tolerable levels for rainbow trout during the winter, spring and fall months (see Figure II and III), Due to the low volume of flow, the water temperature in the lower stations varied closely with the atmospheric tempera- ture. As summer progressed, and the atmospheric temperature increased, the water temperature also increased. The extent of this increase on the down- stream waters was dependent on the volume of water being released from the reservoir. At low flow 17 cubic feet per second, during August, the water temperature increased to 82°F six miles below the dam. An over-all annual average temperature plus the range at each station is illustrated in Figure IV. Dissolved oxygen concentrations ranged from 7.8 to 10.2 ppm. The only fluctuations from this occurred during large releases from the reservoir. The oxygen concentration dropped to 2.6 ppm during September at sample station # 1, with a release of 12,800 cubic feet per second and only increased to 6.2 ppm at station # 10. The low oxygen concentrations were likely due to the large volume of anerobic water coming from the hypolimnion plus the higher organic load of this water. Total alkalinity ranged from 94.0 ppm to 132 ppm, pH ranged from 7.4 to 8.8 and carbon dioxide concentrations ranged from 0.0 to 10.1 ppm. Volume of flow or season had little effect on any of these parameters. Hydrogen sulfide was only encountered at stations #1 and #2 in trace amounts. This occurred during August and September with large releases from the dam, The concentrations of hydrogen sulfide never exceeded 0.1 ppm. Turbidity increases were encountered only when rain in sufficient quantities to provide runoff was received in the area or by bank erosion caused by high --- Page 6 --- -4e Table 1 - Volume of flow in cubic feet per second as recorded by the Geological Survey gauging station on the Brazos River near Palo Pinto for 1971. Da Jan. Feb. March April May June Jul August Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. 1 28 11 15 22 22 49 25 23 12600 2040 1480 60 2 26 12 16 28 22 31 24 21 9550 1250 1360 60 3 27 11. 18 30 22 237 23 19 9220 818 1140 91 4 27 12 18 26 22 81 22 19 9200 2730 1550 274 5 220 11 17 27 23 37 21 32 5720 2780 1370 331 6 455 9.5 15 28 24 25 19 110 533 1120 681 308 7 86 9.5 18 28 24 20 269 110 120 2750 518 123 8 89 9.9 19 26 22 17 78 44 909 2760 256 167 9 332 20 20 25 22 16 38 28 525 2040 1100 150 10 77 35 22 26 21 16 26 23 104 231 665 348 11 38 19 22. 27 21 16 23 20 57 498 114 162 12 27 11 23 24 19 17 21 20 43 245 155 123 13 25 11 23 21 18 20 18 24 38 506 91 106 14 24 8.5 24 27 16 19 17 30 35 207 62 202 15 23 7.6 22 30 15 19 17 31. 714 876 55 123 16 22 7.6 23 31 16 19 17 36 259 1090 165 305 17 21 6.7 25 35 14 19 16 33 63 514 292 274 18 21 11 23 36 14 19 14 25 39 286 371 119 19 22 8.5 27 32 13 19 13 22 36 703 245 80 20 20 8.5 27 33 17 26 24 37 37 896 99 73 21 15 15 25 29 18 39 26 24 35 2730 62 70 22 13 16 25 26 19 94 24 22 42 2750 150 190 23 13 12 26 22 19 42 29 19 66 2730 779 928 24 14 8.5 28 24 17 28 32 187 62 640 413 134 25 13 9.4 28 23 17 21 37 90 725 811 245 80 26 12 13 29 22 15 18 31 357 277 987 102 70 27 lA 16 30 21 15 521 29 2680 2720 1320 67 63 28 12 16 28 21 19 91 29 2780 5730 1310 58 63 29 12 29 21 40 46 35 2840 12800 1310 55 62 30 12 29 21 165 33 30 6390 3110 1430 57 62 31 11 25 102 29 14000 1230 60 Mean DD 12.4 24 26 27 55 34 970 2512 1342 458 170 Max. 455 30 30 36 165 521 269 14000 12800 2780 1550 928 Min. 11 6.7 15 21 13 16 13 19 35 207 55 60 --- Page 7 --- (OF) \ Temperatu’ 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 Water Temperature From January Through June, 1971 A JA AQZ2A A -Sample Station 3 A ohm FIGURE II 5 6 A 7 Ag River Miles Below Dam 9 A 10 A June May April March February January 204 --- Page 8 --- Temperature (°F) -§= FIGURE III Water Temperature From July Through December, 1971 100 ( 90 a A eens AUZUS . _ _ 5 a ty Saas: SSMS cere 80 September 70 —— October 60 ao aa tin emia TT recente 56 rr stim: NOV ERDEL 40 River Miles Below Dam A - Sample Station --- Page 9 --- Water Temperature °F.) -7- FIGURE IV Average Water Temperature and Range for 1971 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 River Miles Below Dam A - Sample Station --- Page 10 --- volume flow. Chloride content ranged from 510 to 1037 ppm. The higher concentrations were noted during June and July and were likely due to the drought conditions of the area. The water quality studies indicate that the tailrace area will provide suitable trout habitat for the first four miles below Possum Kingdom Reservoir. It is believed that the survey was conducted in an atypical year, due to drought conditions, and that during a normal year, with an increase in the volume of flow, suitable trout habitat would extend further downstream. Benthic Organisms The compositions of the bottom fauna is shown in Table II and IIa. Three orders of aquatic invertebrates, Trichoptera, Diptera, and Eqhemeropters, comprised 78 per cent of the total bottom fauna. These three orders of insects are most significant in the food demands of rainbow trout, (Kennedy, 1967). From all indications, the food supply in the form of invertebrates, in Possum Kingdom tailrace area is more than adequate for a trout fishery. Fish Population Table III shows the list of fish collected and their relative abundance. This list was compiled from the composite findings of collections with 20 foot seines, gill nets and spot creel checks. Aquatic Vegetation The upper reaches of the study area had a large amount of green algae (Cladop- hora sp.) covering up to 90 per cent of the substrate. It has been reported that rainbow trout ingest great amounts of this algae. In addition to its food value, it provides a habitat for large numbers of invertebrates (Pfitzer, 1960). Bushy pondweed (Najas sp.) was also abundant in the study area. Other aquatic plants found in the reach are parrot feather (Myriophyllum sp.), star grass (Heteranthera sp.), pondweed (Potamogeton sp.), cattail (Typha sp.), muskgrass (Chara sp.), bulrush (Scirpus sp.), cut-grass (Cladium sp.), spike rush (Eleo- charis sp.), three-square rush (Scrirpus sp.), and willow (Salix sp.) Public Access At present there is limited public access to the major portion of the siucy area in that the land along the river is under private ownership, but this will not eliminate fishing the area because the river is considered public; there- fore, wade and float fishing will be allowed. A further investigation of the Brazos River was made during this segment to deter- mine if the Brazos River has the potential for a reproducing population of striped bass (Morone saxatilis). The Brazos River flows 110 miles from Possum Kingdom Reservoir to the headwaters of Lake Granbury. The average width of this section is 150 feet with an average depth of 3 feet, The width and depth vary conside ly with the releases from Possum Kingdom Dam. The average volume of Flow, as reco.ided by the U. S. Geological Survey for March and April is 1,960 cubic feet per second. --- Page 11 --- Table II Possum Kingdom Tailwater Bottom Samples Total Number of Organisms Per Month Feb. March April Ma June Jul Au Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Total Diptera Chironomidae 212 328 112 142 13 8 21 1 144 97 1078 Simuliidae 297 2037 3116 145 14 6 10 481 356 6462 Tabanidae 3 3 3 8 18 4 1 40 Trichoptera Hydropsychidae 92 153 479 920 665 1049 731 21 306 174 4630 Hydroptilidae 87 29 42 5 41 10 2 76 77 369 Philopotamidae 7 6 10 2 25 Ephemeroptera Heptageniidae 2 9 6 5 9 8 11 2 2 54 Siphlonuridae 1 17 4 1 23 Leptophlebiidae 30 106 73 27 35 25 61 22 190 67 636 Tricorythidae 217 102 253 72 97 2 2 781 &, Caenidae 1 1 i] Odonata Gomphidae 1 7 6 2 8 6 26 1 57 Coenagrionidae ' 3 18 37 23 70 78 99 1 329 Amphipoda Talitridae 13 24 30 1 9 2 8 87 Coleoptera Hydrophilidae 10 24 19 5 3 3 4 68 Elmidae 4 14 21 12 21 39 42 6 48 295 Turbellaria Planariidae 14 110 2 50 54 17 15 262 Plecoptera Perlidae 2 3 5 --- Page 12 --- =f Ox Fauna Hemiptera Notonectidae Veliidae Neuroptera Corydalidae Hirudinea Glossiphoniidae Pelecypoda Sphaeriidae Gastropoda Physidae Planorbidae Ancylidae Oligochaeta Lumbriculiidae Ostracoda Cypridae Fish eggs Fish Isopoda Sphaeromidae Bryozoa Total Table IIa Feb. March April Ma Ces Oct. Nov. Dec. Total 4 2 6 1 1 1 1 3 3 8 5 10 4 1 1 1 22 92 3 6 198 127 78 4 530 2 55 8 12 5 22 6 2 112 1 L 27 4 33 12 1 6 19 16 5 5 8 10 1 45 20 40 84 35 2 181 14 14 28 1 il. 2 4 1 3 4 Present a hh 683 3092 4261 1632 1444 1527 1312 * 61 1226 829 16173 * No samples taken due to high water t --- Page 13 --- -11- Table III List of Fish collected in the Brazos River at the ten sample stations and their rela- tive abundance. O - Occasional. Common Name Scientific Name Abundance 1. Spotted gar Lepisosteus oculatus C 2s Longnose gar Lepisosteus osseus A 3. Gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum A 4, Threadfin shad Dorosoma petenense O 5. Carp Cyprinus carpio VA 6. Golden shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas C Ts Redfin shiner Notropis umbratilis R 8. Blacktail shiner Notropis venustus VA 9. Red shiner Notropis lutrensis VA 10. Silverband shiner Notropis brazosensis R ll. Sharpnose shiner Notropis oxyrhynchus R 12. Bullhead minnow Pimephales vigilax C 13% Stoneroller Campostoma anomalum A 14. River carpsucker Carpiodes carpio C 15. Smallmouth buffalo Ictiobus bubalus G 16. Black bullhead Ictalurus melas R 17. Yellow bullhead Ictalurus natalis R 18. Channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus A 19. Flathead catfish Pylodictis olivaris R 20. Blackstripe topminnow Fundulus notatus A 21. Blackspotted topminnow Fundulus olivaceus ) 22. Mosquitofish Gambusia affinis C 23. Brook silverside Labidesthes sicculus ) 24. Mississippi silverside Menidia audens A 25. White bass Morone chrysops ¢ 26. Redbreast sunfish Lepomis auritus A 27. Green sunfish Lepomis cyanellus C 28. Warmouth Lepomis gulosus C 29% Orangespotted sunfish Lepomis humilis C 30. Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus A 31. Longear sunfish Lepomis megolotis A 32 « Redear sunfish Lepomis microlophus C 33. Spotted bass Micropterus punctulatus C 34. Largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides C 3D White crappie Pomoxis annularis R 36. Orangethroat darter Etheostoma spectabile A 37s Logperch Percina caprodes R 38. Dusky darter Percina sciera R 39, Freshwater drum Aplodinotus grunniens G Rated as VA - Very Abundant, A - Abundant, C - Common, R - Rare, --- Page 14 --- -12- The length of the river above Lake Granbury would be suitable for the spawnir. migration of striped bass. The suitability of the river is dependent on the volume of water being released from Possum Kingdom Reservoir. At high flow, the river would likely supply all of the necessary components for successful repro- duction. Conclusion: The survey indicated that all the requirements for a rainbow trout fishery do exist in the first four miles of the tailrace below Possum Kingdom Reservoir. It is believed that the survey was conducted in an atypical year, due to drought conditions, and that during a normal year, with an increase in the volume of flow, the fishery could extend further downstream. The survey also indicated that at high flow, the Brazos River should supply all the necessary components for successful reproduction of striped bass. Recommendations: In order to determine the desirability of maintaining a "put-and-take" fishery of catchable rainbow trout, it is recommended that a creel census be conducted during 1972, to determine the recreational and economic output units of the existing fishery. It is also recommended that arrangements be made to obtain rainbow trout for stocking in the tailrace in 1973. Because the Brazos River below Possum Kingdom Reservoir has the potential for natural reproduction of striped bass, it is recommended that they be stocked in Lake Granbury. Prepared by: Allen A. Forshage Approved by: Assistant Project Leader Date: December 14, 1972 Robert L. Bounds Regional Director for Inland Fisheries --- Page 15 --- -13- REFERENCES Kennedy, H. D., Seasonal Abundance of Aquatic Invertebrates and Their Utilization by Hatchery-Reared Rainbow Trout, Technical Papers of the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, 1967. Needam, Paul R., Trout Streams, Ithaca, New York, Comstock Publishing Co., Inc., 1938. . Needam, Paul R., and Albert C. Jones. "Flow, temperature, solar radiation, and ice in relation to activities of Fishes in Sagehen Creek, California". Ecology, vol. 40, no. 3, 1959. Pfitzer, D. W., Investigations of Water Below Large Storage Reservoirs in Tennessee, 1960. White, R. L., Evaluation of Catchable Rainbow Trout Fishery. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. D-J Federal Aid Project F-2-R-15, Job E-9.