TPWD 1996 F-30-R #1819: STATEWIDE FRESHWATER FISHERIES MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM: Survey Report for the Brazos River, 1994

--- Page 1 --- STATEWIDE FRESHWATER FISHERIES MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM FEDERAL AID IN SPORT FISH RESTORATION ACT PROJECT F-30-R Survey Report for the Brazos River, 1994 by K. K. Sellers District Management Supervisor Inland Fisheries Division District 2-B, Waco, Texas and Districts 1-B, 2-D, 2-F, and 2-E Abilene, Fort Worth, Wichita Falls, and Bryan, Texas Andrew Sansom Executive Director Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 4200 Smith School Road Austin, Texas 78744 Philip P. Durocher Director of Inland Fisheries January 31, 1996 --- Page 2 --- INTRODUCTION The Brazos River mainstream begins in Stonewall County and flows approximately 840 miles to the Gulf of Mexico at Brazosport in Brazoria County (Figure 1). The Brazos River drainage area is an estimated 42,800 square miles and annual run-off exceeds 5 million acre feet. The river crosses most physiographic regions of Texas, including: High Plains, West Texas Lower Rolling Plains, West Texas Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie, and Gulf Coast Plains (Kingston 1992). Upper Brazos River: Stonewall County to Parker County (Figure 2). The watershed 1s generally rangeland with heavily wooded hills and valleys and flat cleared areas for agricultural use (Miertschin et al 1989). This section of the river receives inflows from the Salt Fork, Double Mountain Fork, Clear Fork, and North Fork. Public access and recreational opportunities are limited above Possum Kingdom Lake. The uppermost mainstream reservoir is Possum Kingdom Lake (17,700 acres) in Palo Pinto County. The reservoir provides flood control, recreation, and hydropower production and the dam is 688 river-miles from the Texas Gulf Coast. Flows below the reservoir depend on flood prevention and hydropower release schedules. Approximately 1-mile of river is accessible to the public immediately below the Possum Kingdom Lake Dam and at major highway crossings further downstream. This portion of stream provides excellent recreational opportunities for canoeing and for angling. The river is clear and shallow with alternating sand bars, gravel outcroppings, and shallow pools. Water from the upper watershed has little value for municipal or industrial use because of a high salt content. Middle Brazos River: Parker County to Falls County (Figure 3). This portion of the watershed consists of rocky, timbered hills and large expanses of flat land used for agriculture. The streambed is shallow and clear with numerous sand and gravel bars and shallow pools. River banks vary from rocky cliffs and boulders to high sand banks. Lake Granbury (8,700 acres) is located in Hood County; the dam is 543 river-miles from the coast. This reservoir is primarily used for flood control, recreation, and a municipal water supply. About 67 river- miles downstream, Lake Whitney (23,560 acres) is bordered by Hill and Bosque Counties; the dam is 442 river-miles from the coast. This impoundment is used for flood control, recreation, and hydropower production. An estimated 40 river-miles below Lake Whitney is Lake Brazos, a 109-acre reservoir within the City of Waco in McLennan County. The reservoir is impounded by a low-water hydraulic dam (400 river-miles from the coast) used for flood control. The last barrier to upstream fish migrations , except during flood events, is at Marlin Falls in Falls County (347 river-miles from the coast). The falls include a low-water dam with a drop of about 4-5 feet in the streambed. Major tributaries to the middle portion of the Brazos River include Squaw Creek and the Paluxy River in Hood County , the Nolan River in Hill County, and Aquilla Creek and the North, South, and Middle Bosque Rivers in McLennan County. Public access and angling opportunities are good along most of the --- Page 3 --- 2 middle Brazos River area with numerous highway crossings, boat ramps, parks, and commercial campgrounds. Canoeing is also popular below Lake Whitney. Past pollution problems have included dairy and cattle feed-lot runoff, pesticide contamination, illegal industrial discharge, illegal sand and gravel dredging operations, illegal discharge of sediment from nearby sand and gravel pits, and illegal construction within the river bottom. Although there is a considerable amount of industrial development in the Waco area, no long-term problems are known to exist. Lower Brazos River: Falls County to the Gulf of Mexico (Figure 4), approximately 347 miles of stream. The lower portion of the Brazos River passes through post oak savannah and coastal prairie from Falls county to Brazosport (Brazoria County) on the Texas Gulf Coast. Major tributaries include the Leon River and Little River (Robertson County), Yegua Creek (Burleson County), the Navasota River (Washington County), and Allen's Creek (Austin County). The topography in this portion of the watershed is mostly rolling hills and flat sand and clay fields and timbered areas. Land uses are primarily agricultural, residential, and industrial. Most industry is in the lower portion of the watershed. In the lower portion of the drainage near the coast, potential sources of pollution are mostly industrial, particularly from the Dow Chemical complex in Brazoria County. Overall, public access in the lower Brazos River is limited by shallow water depth and private ownership of land adjacent to the river. Most access is located at highway crossings or near municipalities. Fish species stocked in the Brazos River are shown in Table | and fish harvest regulations are shown in Table 2. Other management activities have been mostly limited to pollution monitoring and documentation, flow recommendations, and comments on environmental impacts of proposed projects associated with existing reservoirs. METHODS fe) Sampling access and stream characteristics dictated suitability of sampling methods for each site. Fish collections were made by: seining at 8 sites on the upper, 6 sites on the middle, and 5 sites on the lower Brazos River; electrofishing at 6 sites on the middle and 5 sites on the lower Brazos River; hoop netting at 3 sites on the upper and 5 sites on the middle Brazos River; and gill netting at 5 sites on the middle Brazos River. Catch rate (CPUE) for seining was recorded as the total number of each species per foot seined at each site; CPUE for electrofishing was recorded as total number of each species captured per hour of actual electrofishing time; CPUE for hoop netting was recorded as total number of each species caught in one net set overnight; and CPUE for gill netting was recorded as total number of each species caught in one net set overnight . Sampling equipment and techniques were according to TPWD (1993). --- Page 4 --- 3 Sampling statistics for fish collections included CPUE, proportional stock density (PSD), relative stock density (RSD), and relative weight (Wr). Calculations of structural indices were calculated on selected species according to Anderson and Gutreuter (1983) and Childress (1989). Age and growth procedures were implemented on selected species according to procedures shown in TPWD (1993). Otoliths were used to age largemouth bass, spotted bass, and white crappie; scales were used to age white bass and striped bass; and pectoral spines were used to age blue, channel, and flathead catfish. Flow data were obtained from US Geological Survey (USGS) records (USGS 1995). The nearest USGS station upstream from actual sampling sites was used to estimate flows for each site where data were available. Sampling stations, followed by USGS station numbers (in parentheses), were as follows: U-1 (08080500), U-2 (08082000), U-5 (08082500), U-6 (08088000), U-7 (08088600), M-1 (08090800), M-3 (08091000), M-4 (08093100), M-5 (08096500), M-6 (08098290), L-2 (08108700), L-5 (081115000), and L-6 (08116650). Water quality data were taken for upper and middle Brazos River stations from USGS records at the same stations used for flow estimates where data were available. Lower Brazos River sites were actual measurements from samples obtained during surveys; samples were analyzed using a Hach DREL water analysis kit. Habitat estimates were made at 5 sites on the middle Brazos River. Techniques were those shown in TPWD (1993). In addition, the entire river from the Gulf of Mexico to Seymour, Texas, was videotaped to assist in identifying accessible sampling stations and in evaluating habitat characteristics. Freshwater mussels were collected in conjunction with other river survey activities. Samples were forwarded to Robert G. Howells, TPWD, for species identification. --- Page 5 --- 4 RESULTS River Basin Summaries oO Catch rates of fish species collected at upper, middle, and lower Brazos River sampling sites are shown in Table 3, 4, and 5. 0 A checklist of all fish species collected during 1994 surveys of the Brazos River are shown in Table 6. re) A summary of age and growth results for selected fish species is presented in Table 7. o Flow characteristics for the upper Brazos River are shown in Figure 5, the middle Brazos River in Figures 6 and 7, and the lower Brazos River in Figure 8. Depth profiles and related data from middle Brazos River surveys are shown in Figures 9 and 10. oO Water quality data from the upper, middle, and lower Brazos River are presented in Table 8. o Habitat estimates from on-site surveys on the middle Brazos River are presented in Table 9. ) A checklist of freshwater mussel species collected from all sites is presented in Table 10. Summary from Fish Species Collections Channel, blue and flathead catfishes oO Catch rates of selected sizes and structural indices (PSD, RSD, , and RSD,,) for catfishes collected by all methods in 1994 are presented in Table 11. --- Page 6 --- Largemouth and spotted bass oO Catch rates of selected sizes and structural indices (PSD and RSD,,) for largemouth bass and spotted bass collected by all methods in 1994 are presented in Table 12. oO Results of electrophoretic analyses of largemouth bass collected in 1994 are presented in Table 13. White bass and white crappie oO Catch rates of selected sizes and structural indices (PSD and RSD,,) of white bass and white crappie collected by all methods are presented in Table 14. --- Page 7 --- 6 LITERATURE CITED Anderson, R. O. , and S. J. Gutreuter, 1983. Length, weight, and associated structural indices. Pages 283-300 in L. A. Nielsen and D. C. Johnson, editors. Fisheries Techniques. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland. Childress, W. M. 1989. Standard weight curves defined from Texas length and weight data. Inland Fisheries Data Series No. 11. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Inland Fisheries Division. Austin, Texas. Kingston, Mike 1992. Texas Almanac (1992-1993). Gulf Publishing Company. Houston, Texas. Miertschin, J., and P. Price. 1989. Use attainability analysis of upper segment 1206 of the Brazos River. James Miertschin and Associates, Inc.. Austin, Texas. TPWD (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department) 1993. Inland fishery assessment procedures manual. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Inland Fisheries Division. Austin, Texas. USGS (U S Geological Survey) 1995. Water resources data for Texas water year 1994. Volume 2. U S Geological Survey Water Data Report TX-94-2. Austin, Texas. --- Page 8 --- 7 Table 1. Checklist of fish species stocked by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in mainstream locations on the Brazos River, Texas, from 1965 through 1994. Stocking Location Lake Lake Lake Lake Possum Possum Kingdom Species Brazos Whitney Granbury Kingdom Tailrace Threadfin shad xX Rainbow trout x Blue catfish »4 »,4 Channel catfish xX 4 4 »4 Striped bass x x x 4 Smallmouth bass x x Xx Largemouth bass x xX x Florida largemouth xX xX xX bass --- Page 9 --- 8 Table 2. Sportfish harvest regulations for the Brazos River, Texas, 1994. Minimum Species Daily bag limit Possession limit Size limit (inches) Catfish (blue and channel) 25 50 12 Flathead catfish 5 10 18 Striped bass 5 15 18 White bass 25 50 10 Smallmouth bass"? 5 10 14 Largemouth bass"? 5 10 14 Spotted bass’ 5 10 12 Crappie (black and white) 25 50 10 Rainbow trout 5 10 None 1) Daily bag and possession limits apply to the total aggregate of smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and spotted bass. 2) The minimum size limit of smallmouth bass in Lake Whitney is 18 inches. 3) The minimum size limit of largemouth bass in Lake Granbury is 16 inches. --- Page 10 --- 9 Table 3. Summary of catch rates by seining (total feet seined and number collected), and hoop netting (number per net) at all sampling sites on the upper section of the Brazos River in June, July, and August, 1994. Sampling efforts are shown in parentheses. Site Species Seining Hoop Nets U-1 (75 ft) Red shiner 2 Plains minnow 65 Plains killifish 3 Western mosquitofish 9 U-2 (80 ft) Red River pupfish 480 Plains killifish 5 U-3 (75 ft) Plains minnow 380 Red River pupfish 16 Plains killifish 1 Western mosquitofish 6 U-4 (50 ft) Common carp 1 Plains minnow 399 Red River pupfish 3 Western mosquitofish 10 U-5 (30 ft) Common carp 1 Plains minnow 58 River carpsucker l Plains killifish 3 Western mosquitofish 10 --- Page 11 --- 10 Table 3. (Continued) Site Species Seining Hoop Nets U-6 (720 ft) Longnose gar 15 Gizzard shad 6 Red shiner 10 Plains minnow 1,466 Speckled chub 4 Suckermouth minnow 8 Bullhead minnow 1 Channel catfish 1 Inland silverside 22 White crappie 1 Freshwater drum 1 U-7 (1,068 ft) (5 net nights) Common carp - 0.40 Central stoneroller 3 - Red shiner 313 - Blacktail shiner 100 - Bullhead minnow 29 - River carpsucker 2 = Plains killifish 2 - Western mosquitofish 80 - Inland silverside 12 - White bass 1 - Bluegill 8 3.20) Longear sunfish - 1.40 Spotted bass 4 z Largemouth bass 8 - --- Page 12 --- Table 3. (Continued) Site Species Red shiner Blacktail shiner Suckermouth minnow Bullhead minnow River carpsucker Channel catfish Inland silverside Warmouth Bluegill Longear sunfish Redear sunfish Spotted bass Largemouth bass 1] Seining (1,056 ft) 125 32 Hoop Nets (5 net nights) --- Page 13 --- 12 Table 4. Summary of catch rates by seining (total feet seined and number collected), electrofishing (number per hour), hoop netting (number per net), and gill netting (number per net) at all sampling sites on the middle section of the Brazos River, August, 1994, Sampling efforts are shown in parentheses. Site Species Seining __Electrofishing Hoop Nets Gill Nets M-1 (300 ft) (0.83) (Snet nights) (5 net nights) Spotted gar - - “ 0.20 Gizzard shad - 56.63 - 16.00 Common carp - - 1.00 Red shiner 9 . - - Blacktail shiner 2 - - - River carpsucker - - - 2.20 Smallmouth buffalo - - - 3.20 Blue catfish - 1.20 - - Channel catfish - - - 6.20 Flathead catfish - 10.84 - - Western mosquitofish 2 - - - Inland silverside 9 - - - White bass - 7 - 0.60 Bluegill | 10.84 0.60 “ Largemouth bass - 3.61 - 0.40 White crappie - - 1.20 1.80 Freshwater drum - 1.20 - 1.00 M-2 (300 ft) (0.33 hr) Gizzard shad - 184.85 Common carp - 30.30 Red shiner 11 - Blacktail shiner a1 - River carpsucker - 1345 Smallmouth buffalo - 6.06 Flathead catfish - 12.12 Western mosquitofish 5 - Inland silverside 204 - White bass - 9.09 Striped bass - 3.03 --- Page 14 --- Table 4 . (Continued) Site Species Seining _Electrofishing M-2 (continued) Bluegill - Longear sunfish Spotted bass - Largemouth bass bo M-3 (300 ft) Spotted gar - Longnose gar = Gizzard shad - Common carp - Red shiner 31 Blacktail shiner 43 Bullhead minnow 2 River carpsucker - Smallmouth buffalo - Blue catfish - Channel catfish - Flathead catfish - Inland silverside 102 Green sunfish - Warmouth - Bluegill = Spotted bass - Largemouth bass 7 White crappie - Black crappie - Freshwater drum - M-4 (1,300 ft) Spotted gar - Longnose gar - Gizzaard shad - Common carp - 24.24 aa We 15.15 (0.5 hr) (1.25 hr) 2.40 64.80 15.20 Hoop Nets Gill Nets (4 net nights) (5 net nights) - 0.60 - 0.20 - 5.40 - 0.80 i 3.40 1.40 - 3.20 - 0.40 0.50 0.40 a 0.40 - 0.40 (5 net nights) (5 net nights) - 0.20 - 2.00 --- Page 15 --- Table 4. (Continued) Site Species Seining Electrofishing Hoop Nets Gill Nets M-4 (continued) Red shiner 1 - . - Blacktail shiner 884 - - - Golden shiner 5 - - * River carpsucker - - - 0.80 Smallmouth buffalo - 0.80 - 0.80 Blue catfish - . - 0.20 Channel catfish - 5.60 - 4.80 Flathead catfish - 3.20 - - Gulf killifish 12 - - - Inland silverside 1,626 - Redbreast sunfish - 4.00 - - Warmouth - 2.40 - 0.20 Bluegill - 31.20 1.00 - Longear sunfish - 52.80 0.40 - Redear sunfish - 16.80 - - Spotted bass - 16.80 - - Largemouth bass 1 31.20 - - White crappie - - 0.40 0.40 Freshwater drum - 5.60 - 1.20 M-5 (1,050 ft) (5 net nights) (5 net nights) Longnose gar - 0.20 3.00 Bowfin - - 0.20 Gizzard shad - - 5.80 Threadfin shad 45 - - Red shiner a7 - - Blacktail shiner 45 - - Golden shiner 294 - - River carpsucker - 0.40 - Smallmouth buffalo - . 0.20 Channel catfish - Inland silverside 353 - Bluegill 2 0.20 “ Largemouth bass “ 0.20 - --- Page 16 --- Table 4. (Continued) 15 Site Species Seining Electrofishing M-5 (Continued) White crappie - - Freshwater drum - - M-6 (800 ft) (1.25 hr) Longnose gar ~ 3.20 Gizzard shad - 107.20 Threadfin shad ] - Common carp - 12.80 Red shiner 1S? - Golden shiner 385 . Bullhead minnow 110 - River carpsucker - 6.40 Channel catfish - 27.20 Flathead catfish - 7.20 Inland silverside 14 - Bluegill - 8.80 Longear sunfish ~ 6.40 Redear sunfish - 5.60 Spotted bass : 20.00 Largemouth bass - 8.80 White crappie - 0.80 Freshwater drum - 4.00 Hoop Nets 0.80 (5 net nights) Gill Nets 0.60 (5 net nights) 0.40 --- Page 17 --- 16 Table 5. Summary of catch rates by seining (total feet seined and number collected) and electrofishing (number per hour) at all sampling sites on the lower section of the Brazos River, July and August, 1994. Sampling efforts are shown in parentheses. Site Species Seining Electrofishing L-1 (1,870 ft) (1.55 hr) Spotted gar - 1.29 Gizzard shad - 2.58 Threadfin shad 28 1.29 Red shiner 578 - Sharpnose shiner 2 - Silverband shiner 5 4 Bullhead minnow 1,115 - River carpsucker 173 1.29 Smallmouth buffalo - 0.65 Blue catfish - 3.23 Channel catfish 8 21.94 Flathead catfish - 19.35 Bluegill 3 - Dusky darter 9 - Freshwater drum - 1.29 L-2 (1,227ft) (2.04 hr) Spotted gar - 6.86 Longnose gar l 1.47 Gizzard shad - 3.43 Threadfin shad 40 0.98 Common carp - 1.47 Red shiner §29 - Speckled chub ] - Bullhead minnow 61 - Mimic shiner ] - River carpsucker 18 - Smallmouth buffalo - 0.98 Blue catfish - 6.86 Channel catfish 1 8.33 Flathead catfish 18.63 Western mosquitofish “ - Warmouth - 0.49 --- Page 18 --- Table 5. (Continued) 17 Site Species Seining L-2 (continued) Longear sunfish 2 Spotted bass - Largemouth bass 2 Freshwater drum - L-3 (1,204 ft) Gizzard shad 3 Threadfin shad 176 Red shiner 361 Speckled chub ] Pallid shiner 9 Ghost shiner | Chub shiner 3 Silverband shiner 35 Bullhead minnow 514 River carpsucker 27 Blue catfish 5 Channel catfish 22 Flathead catfish - Green sunfish 4 Bluegill 4 Longear sunfish a] L-4 (1,503 ft) Spotted gar - Gizzard shad 5 Threadfin shad 3 Red shiner 49 Mississippi silvery minnow 62 Speckled chub 14 Weed shiner 4 Bullhead minnow 63 River carpsucker 23 Electrofishing 1.47 0.98 0.98 (0.63 hr) 3.17 1.59 (0.69 hr) 1.45 5.80 4.35 --- Page 19 --- Table 5. (Continued) Site Species Seining Electrofishing L-4 (continued) Blue catfish - 86.96 Channel catfish 17 26.09 Flathead catfish - 20.29 Western mosquitofish 7 - Inland silverside 1 - Warmouth 2 - Longear sunfish l - L-5 (1,529 ft) (0.79 hr) Spotted gar - 5.06 Gizzard shad ] 5.06 Threadfin shad 267 18.99 Red shiner 47 2.53 Mississippi silvery minnow 3 6.33 Silverband shiner 2 - Bullhead minnow 44 L27 River carpsucker 7 32.91 Blue catfish - 44.30 Channel catfish - 58.23 Flathead catfish - 69.62 Western mosquitofish ] - Largemouth bass ] - White crappie ] L2y Black crappie 1 1.27 --- Page 20 --- 19 Table 6. Checklist of fishes collected by all methods, Brazos River, 1994. Upper Brazos Middle Brazos Lower Brazos Species River River River Spotted gar -- xX x Longnose gar X x x Bowfin -- x -- Gizzard shad x x xX Threadfin shad -- x xX Central stoneroller Common carp Red shiner Blacktail shiner Plains minnow Speckled chub Golden shiner -- x Pallid shiner -- -- Ghost shiner - -- Sharpnose shiner -- -- Chub shiner -- “ Silverband shiner -- -- Weed shiner -- -- Mimic shiner -- -- Suckermouth minnow xX Bullhead minnow Xx River carpsucker xX Smallmouth buffalo -- Blue catfish -- Channel catfish xX Flathead catfish -- Red River pupfish 4 Gulf killifish o Plains killifish x Western mosquitofish xX x xX mr PP OO rm P< PS | PS Ph PM PS PK TOK OK Pe PS PS PS MS OM PS PS PS PS PS PS ~ Inland silverside White bass Striped bass “ Redbreast sunfish mee Pe Pe mK OK OOM --- Page 21 --- Table 6. (Continued) Species Green sunfish Warmouth Bluegill Longear sunfish Redear sunfish Largemouth bass Spotted bass White crappie Black crappie Dusky darter Freshwater drum Upper Brazos River mh PS OK PS OS OOOO Sd 20 Middle Brazos River mK mK KM KK OK OM OM mi Lower Brazos River rm mK OK a a a oe --- Page 22 --- 21 Table 7. Age and average length at capture for species collected from lower and middle sections of the Brazos River, Texas, 1994. Length (inches) at capture’ Species Location 0 1 2 3 “ 5 6 Blue catfish Middle - - 10.0 15.0 Lower - SA 15.0 21-3 19.0 Channel catfish Middle - - 11.5 15.9 19,2 21.3 23.4 Lower - 3.0 15.5 Flathead catfish Middle - - 13.3 18.7 20.4 27.3 35.0 Lower . 5.7 13.3 22.9 25.4 35.6 White bass Middle - - 9.0 10.4 13.0 14.0 Striped bass Middle - - 13.2 Spotted bass Middle - 8.3 10.6 Largemouth bass Middle 6.3 8.6 12.4 13.6 18.1 White crappie Middle - 6.9 9.7 12.4 1) Lower Brazos River sample lengths are back-calculated to the start of 1994. --- Page 23 --- [v2 PPC 0879 000'r1 18 “p66 | Ul SAOAMS JOALI BULINP Usye} Safdtues oyIS-UO WO.Y ate “O-"T YNOM] | -T Says JO} eyep []e pue ‘O-JA] pue [-JA[ SAzIS 1B SJUAUTEIMseaUU IyI0ag (S661 SDS( ) seere Burjdures Adams JOA Woy weansdn suonejs SOS/ Isewau WO ae 9-JA] pur ‘[-Jl “S--) ‘Z- ‘ 1-7) sous Woy eeq (| ss $87 BEE 997 8£°6 - LsO = Of 0. L¥'0 Lro 670 €0°0 600 tro rr'0 90'0 rb'0 z0'0 pro L770 670 910 £70 Z0°0 - 2 i 2 067 trl CEI OIL cal PSI €ZI 5) SS prs 8bb er 06r 9 I> I I> “ - - - - - O71 0061 O00E'T O0E'T p98 £68 698 8 ; LL 88 z’8 SL SZ 02 re - OP os ST TI tT Cl I~T 9-W ors Ofl OL0'T Le OOL'T O08 81 c8 LW Seg Suypdures 006 091 O£0'r 00L'I O&c 9 £00 Os 0 00r'9 +6 oo8's9 OOO'LE 000°6L LL Ol (oul Ore ral 0z8'1 (sun) p-jAydos0yyD (yur) d-'Od (yaw) N-ON ee) Nee HN (fOORD se sul) ssoupsey [B10] (ogeg se /8u) AqUTEYTE [210] (y8u) SAL Qdd) Aqrurjes (yew) IO (OYUI-o.19TU) AWANONpuo; Hd (mp) Aouaredsue.ry, (uo) Tyooeg JOJOWIEIE J ‘p66I ‘SBXO], “IOAN Sozeig (J) Jomo] pur ‘(JAl) o[pprut “(Q) soddn oy} uo says Surdwes 10j vyep yeoruoyoooisAy °g 9]GRL CC --- Page 24 --- 23 Table 9. Summary of habitat characteristics observed during surveys at sites on the middle Brazos River, Texas, August 1994. Sampling Site Parameter M-1 M-2 M-3 M-4 M-5 M-6 Channel width (ft) 360 130 257 270 270 200 Maximum depth (ft) 10.0 5.0 2.5 3.0 6.0 3.0 Average depth (ft) 8.7 2.2 22 2.0 2.6 LS Bank slope (degrees) 15-29 15-29 0-64 0-14 15-29 30-64 Substrate (type) Sand / Gravel Sand/ = Sand / Sand / Sand / Boulder Boulder Pebble Gravel Gravel Pool / riffle N/A 1:4 N/A 1:10 N/A 311 Meander (bend/mi) 2 3 2 1 2 1 Clarity (ft) (2.8) (3.3) (3.1) (2.3) (3.0) (2.8) Conductivity (micromho) 3,700 2,200 2,300 1,500 1,450 1,400 Flow (ft/sec) 0 1.4 0 2,5 0.9 ca Canopy (%) N/A N/A N/A N/A 5 5 Aquatic Vegetation (%) N/A N/A N/A 2 2 3 --- Page 25 --- "p66l ‘A[Ng ‘sexa], ‘UdJJLIH OJ Ievou JOANY SOZeIG OY} JO YIO.j Iva[D uo vare aspiiq ¢gz AeMYSIP BRIS 3 payejog (] 4 x ST[][osquur eyUOpouy [jeyspuod sadeg xX xX X X Reord vursyqury asplsoIYL xX xX xX X xX sTyermdand si rureyog Joynoig xX xX X X xX UOpoIOeUr e[ounTy, JOOJSUMPJ SVX], x xX x x STSUSUOISTIOY LpMIpenc) yoeqodud yjoous xX xX xX 4 4 snyerndind eprapen?) Jeayaydewr wrayynog xX xX x xX &X X X X ds e[norqio7) WPIO URISY xX xX PSOONIIGA VIUOSOTIL], dii3[0}stq x KM KX X X x *X X SISUSTYO SMITE} Treyssoded yutg x xX xX xX 4 slisery vapoyda] TToussoded apise14 xX xX X xX xX xX x soray stpisdure’] [[2yspues MOTIOA x ByeAO STpIsdure’] yooqyayo0d-yo0y xX xX xX XK XK XK X X XK X X SISUSODIdUIe] SEIRUOJIAT) «= a ssnwAyrvad oordure y, v-T €-1 @T IPI OW SW PAW IA 8 2 SWeU OIHUSIOS oueu UOUIWO sous suldues "p66l “IsN3ny pure A[n¢ ur ‘sexay ‘IOATY SOZeIg dy) UO sous SuTdures (J) Jomo] pure ‘(fl) aTpprw ‘(-) oddn ye poyoaTjoo syessnu JayeMYsoIJ JO ISIPJOOYO YW * OT IGeL vc --- Page 26 --- Zo Table 11. Summary of catch of catfish species in the middle and lower Brazos River, Texas, 1994, Number per selected length group Species Section N >9 >12 >14 ~‘>}>18 PSD RSD, RSD,, Blue catfish Middle 4 3 2 2 1 50 100 50 Lower 21 16 16 15 10 38 100 63 Channel catfish Middle 53 5] 47 42 23 8673 98 48 Lower 151 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 Flathead catfish Middle 24 16 13 8 5 6 433 87 33 Lower 187 47 30 25 16 59 94 50 Table 12 . Summary of largemouth and spotted bass catch and structural indices from the middle Brazos River, Texas, 1994. Number per selected length group Species N Range (inches) >8 >12 >14 PSD RSD, Largemouth bass 87 2-18 53 20 4 38 i Spotted bass 53 3-15 29 5 4 31 7 --- Page 27 --- 26 Table 13. Summary of electrophoretic analyses of largemouth bass collected from the middle Brazos River, Texas, August 1994. Site M-4 Site M-6 Sample size 8 14 Florida largemouth bass 0 0 F, hybrid 0 0 F,, hybrid 1 3 Northern largemouth bass 7 11 % Florida largemouth alleles 9.38% 5.36% Table 14. Summary of white bass and white crappie catch and structural indices from the middle Brazos River, Texas, 1994. Number per selected length group Species N Range (inches) >5 +10 PSD RSDy White bass 3 8-14 3 2 67 67 White crappie 15 6-11 15 3 60 20 --- Page 28 --- 27 BRAZOS RIVER BASIN et UPPER BRAZOS RIVER SAMPLING STATIONS fat ites Sag MIDDLE BRAZOS RIVER \ SAMPLING STATIONS ) LOWER BRAZOS RIVER \. | SAMPLING STATIONS | *' Figure 1. Location of upper, middle, and lower major sections sampled on the Brazos River, Texas. 1994. MST a ee --- Page 29 --- 28 UPPER BRAZOS RIVER SAMPLE SITES KNOX CO. THROCKMORTON CO, Site U-1 B | Lake Possum Kingdom} PALO PINTO CO. SCALE: 1 inch = 24 miles Figure 2. Location of sample sites on the upper Brazos River, Texas, 1994. --- Page 30 --- 29 MIDDLE BRAZOS RIVER SAMPLE SITES JOHNSON rE SOMERVELI CO BOSQUE Co Brazos SCALE: 1 inch = 24 miles Figure 3. Location of sample sites on the middle Brazos River, Texas, 1994. --- Page 31 --- 30 LOWER BRAZOS RIVER SAMPLE SITES ns ~~ RopERTSON CO. f * - Pa ety, R { he, TA fat ee SITE L-1 j z MILAM CO, “ \ BRAZOS CO. \ < s L-2 : \ (BURLESON CO. GRIMES CO. Nn ~ SITE L-3 \ creek js yer) 5 SITE L-4 / __ WASHINGTON CO. _— \ Th. WALLER CO. AUSTIN CO. SITE L-5 SCALE: 1 inch = 24 miles BRAZORIA CO. SITE L-6 GULF OF MEXICO Figure 4. Location of sample sites on the lower Brazos River, Texas, 1994. --- Page 32 --- Cubic Feet / Second 31 1994 Flow Historic Flow 30 - | oe wntmnvinhG94ANG=23,2 Cis 4 Histone AVELIE TES: Nee ere eee ae ee ee re _ SITE U-2 — tac All EET 1994 AVG=23.4Cts SITE U-5 GG M nronace worm 9 QAM RAO BCH Soil NN oon HISTORIC AVG = 373 Cfs SSS =Er- ——— Se = a a = 3 ha 0 + ae | es a | |! OctNovDecJan FebMarAprMayJun Jul AugSe ~ Month a _ | 7 6 5 4 3 cont ea t i 8) Pp Figure 5. Flow data for the upper Brazos River, Texas, comparing mean flows in 1994 to historical flows. Data from U $ Geological Survey guaging stations. Ppuooas / jee 4 OIGND --- Page 33 --- Cubic Feet /Second X 1,000 eS ie 1.5 — 0.5 O OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun Ju | Serene eeaneeseeetennsees Titian ae eeteneinneinteenmmntsintmeses ie 32 1994 Flow Historic Flow ; SITE U-6 --.AISTORICAVG= 853 Cts _ LL————SSE SITE U-7 CL CErT a a a HIS TORIC.AM.G A, A6A.. CES. ny. 2.5 SITE U- 1994 AVG=353 Cfs HISTORIC AVG = 968Cts //\ OS dl eens ta : T = a Tt —- Month Figure 5, (Continued) | l|Augs \-- 0 ep OOO'L X puosasg /}ea4 DIGND --- Page 34 --- Cubic Feet /Second X 1,000 33 4854 Flew Historic Flaw 4 ~ = SITEM-1 0" | ae or Fi amnion ae erento HISTORIC AVG=1,223 Cfs ' = 1994 AVG=816Cfs ” HISTORIC AVG = 1,568 Cts“ t | | = 0.5 OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun Jul AugSep, Month Figure 6. Flow data for the middle Brazos River, Texas, comparing mean flows in 1994 to historical flows. Data from U § Geological Survey guaging stations. xX puooss /jae4 DIGQND OOO‘! --- Page 35 --- 34 =I 994 Flow ®Historic Flow SITE M-5 ban _ “PSST AVES STO CIS FR tea ieiNe il ee ene HISTORIC AVG=2,332Cts_ / / * SITE M-6 Cubic Feet /Second X 1,000 a (ica ‘ica ian aaa ema Sale Gan OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun Jul AugSep Month Figure 6. (Continued) OOO'L X Ppuodag / 1884 DIGND --- Page 36 --- Cubic Feet /Second X 1,000 35 “1994 Flow Historic Flow 10 - 1994 AVG=2,344 Cis” 1994 AVG=3,399 Cts “. 839 - ee 1994 AVG=4 90 Ml HISTORIC A ver iste geterm nestor ycmnncierkiar mr natant acca paces mer i Ie os ; i I Tt I OctNovDecJan FebMarAprMayJun Jul AugSep Month Lo + 10 4~ 10 Figure 7. Flow data for the lower Brazos River, Texas, comparing mean flows in 1994 to historical flows. Data from US Geological Survey guaging stations. O00‘L X puoses / jaa4 21IGND --- Page 37 --- Depth (feet) 36 SITE M- 0 2 4 6 8 10 | | ] | | Oo —— WIDTH =360 feet “=> SITE M-2 SURFACE 0 { 2 | | | 0 <== WIDTH =130 feet co SITE M-3 SURFACE @) { 2 <== WIDTH =236 feet -—- Figure 8. Depth profiles and flow estimates from sampling sites on the middle Brazos River, Texas, 1994. --- Page 38 --- Depth (feet) 6 Figure 8. (Continued) 37 SITE M-4 SURFACE <S== WIDTH =270 feet SITE M-5 —=t WIDTH =270 feet SITE M-6 <= WIDTH =200 feet —- = --- Page 39 --- 38 Appendix 1. Fisheries management plan for the Brazos River, Texas, 1994. To develop and maintain the fisheries of the Brazos River for the anglers of Texas to provide the best outdoor recreational experience possible. OBJECTIVE 1 PROBLEM STRATEGIES OBJECTIVE 2 PROBLEM STRATEGIES OBJECTIVE 3 PROBLEM Increase availability of public access to the Brazos River for all recreational activities. Public access is primarily limited to reservoir tailraces, a few highway crossings with inadequate boat launching facilities, and private campgrounds, Due to private ownership of river-front property, public access to the river is very limited. Work with proper authorities to increase the number of public access locations and the number of improved launch ramps associated with highway bridges. Encourage local, county, or state agencies to install improved launch ramps, camp sites, and bank fishing areas between major highway crossings. Conduct future surveys to monitor fish populations. Standard survey procedures should be implemented as time permits to more closely monitor populations of fish and mussel species. Data is needed to protect existing species, set fish harvest regulations, and determine influences of pollution and angling. Abundance and distribution of all fish and mussel species should be monitored during future surveys to determine changes in populations. Population structural indices, condition, growth rates, reproduction, and recruitment of sport fishes should be examined to determine appropriate fish harvest regulations. Conduct special investigations as pollution problems are revealed. In the past pollution problems have included illegal discharge of heavy --- Page 40 --- 39 metals, illegal discharge of fill material, illegal construction within the streambed, illegal sand and gravel dredging, and various industrial and agricultural related influences. STRATEGIES Assist the Resource Protection Division in investigation of all observed or reported incidences of pollution in a timely manner. Educate land owners to make them aware of existing problems and ways they can help to reduce agriculture related pollution. Promote the establishment of riparian buffer zones to reduce negative effects of agricultural and industrial inflows.