Download COFFEEVILLE LAKE WARRIOR - TOMBIGBEE RIVERS, ALABAMA

COFFEEVILLE LAKE
WARRIOR - TOMBIGBEE RIVERS, ALABAMA
DESIGN MEMORANDUM
THE MASTER PLAN
APPENDIX D - FISH MANAGEMENT PLAN
A publication prepared under terms of a contract research
project between the Corps of Engineers, Mobile District and the
Agricultural Experiment Station of Auburn University, Auburn,
Alabama. The departments of Agricultural Economics and Rural
Sociology and Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures were responsible
for the research and development of this report.
Auburn University staff members with major responsibilities
for the research and development of this report were David R.
Bayne, Carolyn Carr, Wm. Dumas III, J. D. Grogan, John M.
Lawrence, David Rouse, Karen Snowden, Glenn Stanford, David
Thrasher, Charles J. Turner, and J. Homer Blackstone as
project leader •
.
,-1
,
U. S. ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT, MOBILE
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
MOBILE, ALABAMA
July 1974
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Text
Table
1.
2.
Page
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
A.
Purpose. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
B.
Master plan
. . .. . ..
1
C.
Fish management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
D.
Classification of the fishery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Physical Characteristics of the Aquatic Habitat that Influence Fish
Production and Harvest. . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
A.
General.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
B.
Drainage area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
1.
Topography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
2.
Area
4
3.
Land usage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4
4.
Rainfall patterns. . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5
5.
Runoff rates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7
6.
stream regulation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
Impoundment................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • .
13
1.
Morphometry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13
2.
Altitude
. . .. ..
14
3.
Area.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14
4.
Mean depth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14
C.
, .. .
,
" .
.
3.
5.
Maximum depth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 14
6.
Productive-depth zone ........•.........•...............•... 14
7.
Volumes of euphotic strata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 15
8.
Length of the shoreline. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 15
9.
Eulittoral zone.
.. 15
10.
Inflow... ..
.
..
..
.
.. ..
..
16
11.
Outflow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 16
12.
Retention time
13.
Internal flow currents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 16
14.
Penstock depth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
15.
Water-level fluctuations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 17
16.
Uncleared flooded areas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 18
17.
Meteorological influences
16
17
18
Water Quality in Relation to Fish Production. .. .
. . .. . ..
. . . .. .. . .. 19
A.
General
19
B.
Water quality constituents
19
1.
2.
3.
Temperature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 19
a.
Temperature stratification in a lake. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
20
b.
Temperature conditions in tailwaters
21
Dissolved oxygen .•......................................... 21
a.
Dissolved oxygen stratification in lake
23
b.
Dissolved oxygen conditions in tailwaters . .. .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. 24
pH.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 24
ii
4.
Carbon dioxide and alkalinity
26
5.
Chemical type. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26
6.
Plant nutrients
29
a.
Nutrient enrichment in impolmdments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
29
b.
Macro-nutrients. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
31
c.
Micro-nutrients ..... '" . ..... . . . .. ... ... . . .. . ..... . .
31
d.
Nutrient sources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
33
7.
8.
C.
4.
Toxic substances
35
a.
Pesticides. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
36
b.
Heavy metals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
40
c.
Industrial toxicants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
40
Sediment load •......................................... "
Pollution sources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Aquatic Plants in the Impolmdment. ..
..
.. .
42
43
50
A.
Aquatic plant - definition
50
B.
Factors affecting aquatic plant growth
50
C.
Aquatic plant groups and associated habitat problems.. . . .. .. . ...
51
1.
Bacteria. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
52
2.
Fungi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
52
3.
Algae...................................................
52
4.
Flowering plants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
56
Aquatic plant populations of Coffeeville Lake and methods for
their control ............................•...................
58
D.
iii
5.
Description of the Fishery
A.
Warmwater species of fish in Coffeeville Lake. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . •. 60
B.
Coldwater species of fish in Coffeeville Lake ..•..................• 67
C.
The downstream species from Coffeeville Dam ..................•. 68
D.
Rare and endangered species ..............•...................... 68
E.
Fish-food organisms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 68
F.
History of parasite and disease incidents in fish populations . . . . . . . .. 70
G.
History of fish kills .................•........................... 71
H.
Establishment of Coffeeville Lake fishery including flooding schedule. 81
I.
History of species composition, relative ablUldance, and condition
within each species including methods used to obtain fish samp·les . • .. 82
1.
6.
60
Methods of sampling fish populations ................•.•.....
0
82
a.
Rotenone sampling ...........................•.......... 83
b.
E lectrofishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 85
2.
Fish population studies (Rotenone)
3.
Fish population studies (Electrofishing) 1973-1974 •....•.•.•.. 91
4.
Comparisons of relative conditions (KnJ
86
91
J.
Fishing pressure
99
K.
Creel census data
99
Management of the Fishery ........................................•. 101
A.
Reservoir fishery biology ...............•...................•.... 101
1.
Factors affecting fish reproduction
102
a.
103
Adequacy of spawning area
iv
b.
Water fluctuation
103
c. Water temperature .......•................................ 103
d.
Silt-laden waters
103
e.
Repressive factor
105
f.
Size of brood fish
.......................................• 105
g.
Food availability during period of egg-formation ............• 105
h.
Crowding
106
i. Egg-eating habit
j.
k.
2.
Reproductive success of prey upon which predators feed
after reaching fingerling stage
106
strength of predation upon yOlmg predator species
106
Predator - prey relationships
I
7.
........................................• 106
I
107
B. ResLUne of factors affecting fish production in reservoirs
1] 3
C.
116
Information vs. action
1.
Public relations
............................................• 117
2.
Fishing access
118
3.
Fishing intensity
119
4.
Creel limits ......................................•........•. 119
5.
Evaluation of fishery management changes ....................•. 120
6.
Fishing tournaments and rodeos
Coordination with Other Agencies
A.
Personnel and funding
B.
Cost - benefit projections
•.............................. 120
123
.........................................••• 123
124
v
C.
Equipment for bio logist ........•....•..•.•..••...•...•••••••..••. 125
D.
Job description - Fisheries Management Biologist ........•.....•..• 126
E.
Budget ................................•.•......••.•....•...••.• 128
8.
Research Needs for River and Impoundment Management ......••.•••..•. 129
9.
Synopsis
..................................•........................
vi
133
TABLES
Table
Page
1. Average
monthly and annual precipitation for Coffeeville Lake.
6
2. Average concentrations of macro-nutrients (elements) in filtered
water, suspended matter, bottom soils, rooted plants, and fish
from Coffeeville Lake.
32
3. Average concentrations of micro-nutrients (elements) in filtered
water, suspended matter, bottom soils, rooted plants, and fish
from Coffeeville Lake.
34
4. Average concentrations of pesticide residues in fish collected from
Coffeeville Lake, 1971.
37
5. Average concentrations (ppm wet weight) of pesticide residues in
various species of fish collected from the Tombigbee River compared with the overall average from species collected in all rivers
in Alabama, 1971.
38
6. Average concentrations (ppm wet weight) of pesticide residues in
various species of fish collected from public fishing lakes located
in the Coffeeville Lake drainage area, compared with averages in
species from all 23 public fishing lakes in Alabama, 1971.
39
7. Average concentrations of heavy metal elements in filtered water,
suspended matter, bottom soil, rooted plants, and fish from
Coffeeville Lake.
41
8. Black Warrior River waste sources.
44-47
9. Upper Tombigbee River waste sources.
48
10. Lower Tombigbee waste sources.
49
11. List of phytoplankton genera collected from Coffeeville Lake in 1963. 55
12. List of potentially noxious flowering aquatic plants in Coffeeville
Lake in 1973.
59
13. A check list of warmwater fish species believed to be present in
Coffeeville Lake, separated into Game, Commercial, and Other
groupings.
61-66
vii
TABLE S, cont'd
Table
14.
Macroinvertebrates from weed samples taken from Coffeeville
Lake.
69
15.
Fish parasites in the Mobile River basin.
72-78
16.
Viral, bacterial and ftmgal diseases of reservoir fish.
79-80
17.
Fish population data collected by rotenone sampling in Coffeeville Lake in 1955-1957.
87-88
Lengths (in inches) used to classify fish of different species as
young, intermediate, or harvestable, and as forage, carnivorous
or other.
92-93
Results of electrofishing at selected sites on Coffeeville Lake,
1974.
94
Results of electrofishing at selected sites on the Tombigbee
River below Coffeeville Dam.
95
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
Reproductive characteristics of various species of fresh-water
fish.
104
Maximum sizes of forage fishes largemouth bass of a given inchgroup can swallow.
109
viii
FIGURES
Title
Page
1. Black Warrior - Tombigbee drainage area.
9
2.
Tennessee - Tombigbee Waterway.
10
3.
Oxygen content of water and its relation to fish.
22
4. Relationship of pH of reservoir waters to their suitability for
fish prod uction.
25
5. Relationship and determination of CO2 , HC0 ' C0 --, and
3
3
OH- in natural waters.
27
6. Distribution of ~ factor for various sizes of three groups of fish
collected from Coffeeville Lake in 1974.
96
7. Distribution of Kn factor for various sizes of three groups of fish
collected from the Tombigbee River at Jackson, Alabama in 1974.
97
Fish Management Plan
for
Coffeeville Lake
1.
Introduction.
I-A.
Purpose.
This report on the fishery management of Coffeeville Lake
presents a plan to preserve all species of fish within the impoundment, to increase
the production of harvestable-sized fish through the improvement of the aquatic
habitat, and to provide the most favorable lake conditions for public fishing.
I-B.
Master plan.
The fish management plan will be a part of the approved
Master Plan for the continued development and management of Coffeeville Lake.
I-C.
Fish management.
Fish management (Appendix D) will be in accordance
with ER 1130-2-400, APP.A (May, 1971); ER 1120-2-400; ER 1120-2-401; AR420-74; Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958 (PL 85-624) as amended; and
Federal Water Projects Recreation Act of 1965 (PL 89-72).
I-D.
Classification of the fisherv.
The fishes in Coffeeville Lake have been
classified as warm-water sport, commercial, and miscellaneous species. They
are to be managed to provide the public with the maximum sustained yield of harvestably sizes of sport and commercial species and to insure the continued existence of
the miscellaneous species.
2.
Physical Characteristics of the Aquatic Habitat that Influence Fish Production
and Harvest.
2-A. General. Aquatic habitats are as numerous as the waters themselves.
Rising in mountains, hills, or plains, small streams meander through the countryside uniting with one another to form larger streams and eventually a river.
Each
change in the size and shape of a stream forms a new habitat with a new set of
environmental conditions and a different assemblage of aquatic organisms.
These
new conditions, however, are never independent of upstream influence. The same
is true of man-made impoundments on rivers.
Morphometric features of the im-
poundment basically determine the types of aquatic habitats, but environmental
conditions in the lake will largely depend on the quality and quantity of the collective
waters from the drainage area.
The physical features of Coffeeville Lake and its
associated drainage area are presented in this section of the report.
2-B. Drainage area.
2-B-1.
Topography.
The Black Warrior River rises in the Cumberland
Plateau (a subdivision of the larger Appalachian Plateau Physiographic Province)
in northcentral Alabama. This is a submaturely eroded upland area developed on
the sandstones, shades, and coal beds of the Pottsville Formation.
approach 1500 feet msl.
of this region.
Elevations
The three forks of the Warrior drain the major portion
The western-most fork, the Sipsey, flows out of the central part of
the plateau and joins the middle fork, the Mulberry, in eastern Walker County,
Alabama. They combine with the Locust Fork which drains the eastern edge of the
2
Cumberland Plateau and the southwestern tip of the Ridge and Valley Province, to
form the Black Warrior River at river mile 393.6.
From here the Black Warrior
flows in a southeasterly direction towards Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
The average
elevation of the hills in this part of the plateau is about 500 feet msl. The Fall
Line on the Warrior is at Tuscaloosa where the river leaves the Cumberland Plateau
and enters the Coastal Plains Physiographic Province.
The uppermost subdivision
of this province, the Central Pine Belt (Fall Line Hills), is a region of low sandy
hills. After leaving the Central Pine Belt the river flows into the Black Prairie
Belt. The Black Prairie Belt is developed on the Selma Chalk, which forms a
dark fertile calcareous clay that is the characteristic soil type of this ag-ricultural
region.
Local relief is low and drainage is generally poor. The Black Warrior
empties into the Tombigbee River near the lower edge of the Black Prairie Belt at
Demopolis, Alabama.
The Tombigbee River is formed in the northeastern corner of Mississippi.
Except for isolated portions of the eastern edge all of the drainage basin lies within
the Coastal Plains Province. The Central Pine Belt occupies most of the eastern
part of the basin and the Black Prairie Belt occupies most of the western part.
Their common border marks the general course of the Tombigbee River in Mississippi. The physiography of these hvo subdivisions is similar in both the Tombigbee
and Warrior drainages. The Central Pine Belt is an upland area with steep hills
and sandy soil while the Black Prairie Belt is a poorly-drained area with gently
rolling hills and calcareous soil.
In the Black Prairie Belt elevations range from
nearly 500 feet msl in the north to about 150 feet msl in the south.
3
Near the
Alabama-Mississippi state line the river enters the Black Prairie Belt and flows
through it towards Demopolis, where the Tombigbee is joined by the Black Warrior.
Demopolis Lock and Dam is located 2.5 miles west of Demopolis near the lower
edge of the Black Prairie Belt.
Below Demopolis Lock and Dam the river flows southward through the southern
edge of the Black Prairie Belt, through the Chunnennugge Hills Region, through the
Southern Red Hills Region to its southern border which is the location of the Coffeeville Lock and Dam. This is a distance of approximately 96.5 river miles.
In
this reach of the Tombigbee River the elevation of surrounding ten"aine ranges
from 200 to 100 feet msl.
2-B-2. Area.
The total drainage area above Coffeeville Lock and Dam
is approximately 19,000 square miles. Roughly 19 percent of tllis area (about
3,600 square miles) is between Demopolis and Coffeeville Locks and Dams.
2-B-3.
Land usage.
Prior to World War II much of the Black Warrior
drainage area supported a rural population that engaged in moderate row-crop
farming.
Much of this farming took place on unterraced, marginal, hilly lands.
Tllis caused e),."tensive sheet and gully erosion in the upper reaches, and resulted in
an annual sediment load as great as 200 tons per square mile.
During and following World War II the rural population declined.
The usage of
the land changed from primarily farmlands to forestry and surface mining. As much
as 60 percent of the Warrior watershed above Tuscaloosa is considered as potential
strip mining sites. By 1970 the usage of the upper portions of the Warrior water4
shed were about 50 percent forest and 30 percent crop and pasture lands.
The re-
maining 20 percent of the land area was occupied by residential, business, industrial (including surface mining), and transportation facilities.
In the reach of stream between Oliver and Warrior Dams, more e.,:tensive rowcrop farming occurs than in the areas upstream from Oliver.
On the Tombigbee arm, the same trends in land usage has occurred during
the last 50 years.
Currently land usage would be about 50 percent forest, 35
percent in crop and pastm'e lands, and 15 percent in residential, business, industrial, and transportation facilities.
sediment loading on the Upper Tombigbee is
moderate when compared with that on the Black Warrior arm.
On the Lower Tombigbee between Demopolis Lock and Dam and Coffeeville
Lock and Dam there is a mixture of land usages,
Forest lands account for about
60 percent, pasture, and row-crop lands about 30 percent, and residential,
business, industrial, and transportation facilities about 10 percent.
2-B-4. Rainfall patterns.
The drainage basin above the study area lies in
a region of fairly heavy annual rainfall.
There is some seasonal variation, with about
41 percent of the rainfall coming during the wet season (December through April) and
only about 18 percent coming during the dry season (September through November).
The average annual rainfall is about 57 inches (Table 1). The highest recorded annual
rainfall is 87.02 inches at Booneville, Mississippi, in 1932. The lowest recorded
annual rainfall was 27.95 inches at Demopolis Lock and Dam in 1954.
Most of the flood-producing storms that occur over the drainage basin are of
the frontal type. These storms usually occur in winter and early spring.
5
Major
Table 1. Average monthly and annual precipitation for Coffeeville Lake.
Month
Rainfall, inches
January
4.70
February
5.14
March
6.78
April
5.71
May
4.36
June
3.94
July
6.60
August
4.42
September
3.70
October
2.54
November
3.65
December
5.24
---
Annuai average
56.79
Information from station at Thomasville, Alabama.
6
floods are occasionally produced in the summer by the inland passage of a hurricane.
Localized flooding of tributaries may occur during the summer as a result of convectional storms.
2-B-5. Runoff rates.
The source of water entering Coffeeville Lake
is the combined flow from the Tombigbee and Black Warrior Rivers. Although
these two drainage basins are adjacent to one another their geology is totally different.
About 75 percent of the Black Warrior basin is in the CUmberland Plateau.
This is a steep, hilly region in which the bedrock lies generally close to the surface.
A large percentage of the precipitation enters a stream unusually quickly, with relatively little water being stored as gTolmd-water.
TIJis results in extreme seasonal
variations in the discharge of the river. stream -flow patterns are also affected by
the extensive development of the Black Warrior above Demopolis. Although these
developments tend to moderate seasonal changes of stream discharge, short-term
discharge variations are often extreme.
The Tombigbee Basin is located in the Coastal Plains. In this region a fairly
thick layer of soil is underlain by sedimentary bedrock.
Local relief is moderate.
In this situation more of the precipitation is stored as ground-water than would be
in a rocky, upland area (such as the Warrior Basin). Because its grolmd-water
reservoir is larger, the rate of flow of the Tombigbee River is more stable than that
of the Black Warrior River.
At the present time there is no significant development
of the Tombigbee above Demopolis; therefore the flow of the river is regulated by
the meteorological conditions upstream.
7
The maximum recorded discharge of the Tombigbee River at Gainesville
(just above Demopolis Reservoir) is 168,000 cfs on January 11, 1949.
The mini-
mum recorded discharge at this point is 250 cfs on September 21 and 22, 1954.
The average discharge is 11,530 cfs and the average annual runoff is 18 inches.
The maximum recorded discharge of the Black Warrior River at Oliver Dam
(91 miles above Demopolis Reservoir) is 224,000 cfs on February 21, 1961. The
minimlUll recorded discharge is 37 cfs on October 23, 1953. The average discharge
is 7,505 cfs and the average annual rLilloff is 21.1 inches.
The difference between
these figures and the corresponding figures of the Gainesville site reflects the
aforementioned differences in the geology of the two watersheds.
At Demopolis Lock and Dam the average discharge is 21,780 cfs.
*
The maxi-
mum and minimum recorded discharges are 250,000 cfs on February 28, 1961, and
50 cfs on August 1-6, 1954, respectively.
The estimated 10-year 7-day low flow
is 750 cfs.
At Coffeeville Lock and Dam the average discharge is approximately 26,000
cfs.
The maximum and minimum recorded discharges are 153,000 cfs on March 7,
1971 and 957 cfs on June 18, 1968. The estimated 10-year 7-day low flow is
1,100 cfs.
2-B-6.
stream regulation.
The Black Warrior -
Tombigbee drainage
area and stream profiles are shown in Fig'ures 1 and 2.
The uppermost headwaters of the Black Warrior River are the Sipsey, Locust,
and Mulberry Forks. Alabama Power Company impOlillded Sipsey Fork near Jasper,
*
The average annual runoff is 19.2 inches.
8
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Figure 1.
,
WARRiOR - TOMBIGBEE
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Existing Waterway - Mobile to Demopolis
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Figure 2.
Telll1eSsee - Tombigbee Ibterway
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410
Alabama in 1961 to form Lewis Smith Lal'e. At its maximum power pool elevation
of 510 feet msl this reservoir covers 21,200 acres and has a maximum depth of
260 feet.
The drainage area above the dam is 944 square miles.
Smith Lake was
constructed primarily for hydropower but secondary benefits include flood-control
and water storage for seasonal regulation of streamflow below the dam.
Due to the
location of the penstock openings and the development of thermal stratification in
late summer and fall, Smith Lake tailwaters are occasionally deficient in dissolved
oxygen.
Inland Lake is a small (1540 acres) impolUldment on Blackburn Fork, a tributary of Locust Fork, near Oneonta, Alabama.
This reservoir is used as an indus-
trial and domestic water supply by the city of Birmingham, Alabama.
depth is 160 feet.
Maximum
The drainage area above the dam is only 70 square miles.
The Sipsey and Mulberry Forks join in eastern Walker County, Alabama,
fourteen miles below Smith Dam. At mile 385.4 the Mulberry and Locust Forks
combine to form the Black Warrior River.
This spot is now covered by Banlffiead
Reservoir.
John Hollis Banlffiead Lock and Dam is located at river mile 365. 5 near Gal,
Grove, Alabama. Banlffiead Reservoir was formed in 1915 and has a surface area
of approximately 9,200 acres at elevation 255 feet ms!.
the dam is 3,990 square miles.
control and recreation.
The drainage area above
Its uses include navigation, hydropower, flood-
Much of the industrial and mlmicipal effluent of Birmingham
drains into Banlffiead Reservoir by way of Village, Valley, and Five-Mile Creeks.
11
Holt Reservoir is located at river mile 347.
Normal pool elevation is
186.5 feet msl and its maximum normal depth is 82 feet.
is 3,296 acres.
The area at normal pool
There are 4,232 square miles in the drainage area above the dam.
Oliver Lock and Dam is located at mile 338. 1 within the corporate city limits
of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Oliver Lake is only S. S miles long, has an area of 675
acres, and is the smallest reservoir on the Warrior River.
The normal pool
elevation is 124 feet msl. The drainage area above the dam is 4, S2S square miles.
Oliver Lake receives the effluent from most of the major industries located in the
Tuscaloosa area. The water quality within Oliver Pool is so poor that permanent
populations of game fish are found only within a few restricted areas.
North River rises in Fayette County, Alabama, and flows southward into Oliver
Lake. In 1970, the city of Tuscaloosa constructed a 5, SS5 acre water supply reservoir, Lake Tuscaloosa, on this stream. Tllis reservoir is at elevation 223.2 feet
ms1. Although the tailwaters are, at times, low in dissolved oxygen, the 1. 5-mile
stretch of North River between the dam and Oliver Lake supports a healthy game
fish population.
Warrior Lock and Dam is located at mile 261. 1 on the Black Warrior River.
This 7,800 acre reservoir provides only navigation and recreation benefits.
pool elevation is 95.0 feet msl and the greatest depth is about 50 feet.
Normal
The drainage
area above the dam is 5, S2S square miles.
The Black Warrior River joins the Tombigbee River 47 miles below Warrior
Dam at river mile 217. Backwaters from Demopolis Dam md:end from this spot
to the toe of Warrior Dam.
12
At the present time there are no impoundments on the Tombigbee River proper
above Demopoliso Bluff Lake, on the Noxubee River, and Buttahatchie Lake, on
the Buttahatchie River, are the only significant impoundments in the watershed.
Demopolis Lock and Dam is located at river mile 213.4.
la, 000
acres at normal pool 73.
a feet
msl.
This reservoir covers
The watershed above this dam is 15,300
square miles.
Coffeeville Lock and Dam is located at river mile 116.6. This lake covers an
area of 8,500 acres at elevation 32.5 feet msl.
The drainage area above this Dam
is in excess of 19, 000 square miles.
2-C. Impoundment.
The physical characteristics of an inundated basin have
considerable influence on the production of fish in the subsequent impoundment.
The
physical features of Coffeeville Lake which influence the production and harvest of
fi sh are listed below.
2-C-1.
Morphometry.
This stretch of the Tombigbee River is typical of
an impounded Coastal Plains stream.
freely meandering channel.
It has a well developed flood -plain with a
Throughout the upper three fourths of this reach of the
Tombigbee River the Lake is strictly a run-of-the-river impoundment.
In the lower
quarter of the lake the river did not overflow its banl, but only flooded low-lying
creek bottomlands.
Some of these tributaries, all flooded in varying degrees, are
listed below.
13
Turkey Creek
Okatuppa Creek
Tallawampa Creek
Copper salt Creek
Bashi Creek
Big Bunny Creek
Ridge Creek
Wahalak Creek
Sucarbowa Creek
Vaughn Creek
Horse Creek
Tuckabum Creek
Landrums Creek
2-C-2. Altitude.
32.5 feet ms!.
2-C-3.
Beaver Creek
Kinterbish Creek
Lost Creek
Chicksaw Bogue
Six Mile Creek
Double Creek
Cotahager Creek
Cypress Branch
Sucarnoochee River
Mill Creek
Cypress Slough
Halls Creek
The altitude of Coffeeville Lake at normal upper pool is
The elevation of the plains around the lake varies from 50 to 100 feet ms!.
Area.
At normal upper pool (32.5 feet msl) the surface area of
Coffeeville Lake is 8,500 acres with a volume of 190,800 acre-feet.
2-C-4.
Mean depth.
The mean depth of Coffeeville Lake at normal upper
pool is 23 feet.
2-C-5.
Maximum depth.
The approximate maximum depth is 40 feet at
elevation 32.5 feet ms!.
2-C-6.
Productive-depth zone.
ports most of the aquatic life there.
Within a body of water a certain area sup-
Several limiting factors determine the lower
depth of tills productive zone in a lake.
One factor is the depth at which the total
quantity of surface light is reduced by 99 percent.
Another factor is the depth at
which the dissolved oJ-."ygen concentration in the water drops below 1 ppm. Because
14
these two limits vary according to other lake conditions, the 10-foot depth will be
considered the approximate bottom of the productive zone.
In a riverine environment the productive zone is generally quite variable, depending upon the rate of flow and the sedimentation loading.
Current evidence from
Coffeeville Lake indicates that phytoplankton is the basic fish-food in the mainstream
area, while macro invertebrates are a major food source only in inundated flood plains.
2-C-7.
Volumes of euphotic strata.
The volumes of the various euphotic
strata, which comprise the primary productive areas of lake waters, determine the
quantities of nutrients that may be efficiently converted into phytoplankton.
The vol-
ume of water in each 2. 5-foot strata in Coffeeville Lake is given below.
32.5 to 30.0
30.0 to 27.5
27.5 to 25.0
25.0 to 22.5
below 22.5
2-C-8.
feet
feet
feet
feet
feet
msl
msl
msl
msl
msl
20,000
17,000
18,000
14,000
122,000
Length of the shoreline.
acre-feet
acre-feet
acre-feet
acre-feet
acre-feet
The productive zone of a lake, as well as
its accessability to bank fishermen, is reflected by the length of its shoreline.
This
length is also used to calculate the shore development. The shoreline of Coffeeville
Lake is approximately 300 miles long and its shore development (which is the ratio
between the length of the shoreline and the circumference of a circle whose area is
equal to that of Coffeeville Lake) is 23. 2.
2-C-9.
Eulittoral zone.
The eulittoral zone is the bottom area between the
high and low-water levels. Due to the frequent wetting and drying wi thin the eulittoral
zone, this area is not considered to be suitable habitat for the production of fish-food
organisms.
15
Reservoirs used primarily for navigation, such as Coffeeville Lake, are generally subject to less severe water-level fluctuations that those reservoirs whose
primary uses include hydro-power and/or flood control. The loss of fish-food
production area due to water-level fluctuations is not great enough in this reservoir
to impair fish prod uction.
2-C-10.
Inflow.
The average flow of the Tombigbee River at Demopolis
Lock and Dam is 21,780 cfs.
The average flow of the Tombigbee River at Gaines-
ville, Alabama is 11,530 cfs.
2-C-11.
Outflow.
Dam is 26,000 cfs.
The average annual discharge at Coffeeville Lock and
The estimated 10-year 7-day low flow is 1,100 cfs.
Low discharges have occurred periodically from impoundments on the Black
Warrior River in the past.
Such discharges can interfere with fish production.
These conditions are not expected to develop below Coffeeville Lake because the
discharge of the Tombigbee River is more stable than that of the Warrior and releases from Smith Reservoir now augment late summer flows in the Black Warrior.
2-C-12. Retention time.
Based on an average discharge of 26,000 cfs
and an average volume of 190,800 acre-feet, the water exchange rate is 98 times
per year, the average exchange time being 3.7 days.
Using the estimated 10-year
7-day low flow of 1,100 cfs the water exchange time is 85
2-C-13.
Internal flow currents.
days.
Impoundments on large streams are subject
to various types of internal currents. During the cold months the impolmded waters
16
are fairly homogeneous as to temperature, dissolved oxygen, and amounts of suspended matter. This homogeneity is due to the complete circulation of the impounded
water. During the warm months the water may stratify thermally and density currents may exist in the lower depths.
Normally, there are no density currents in
surface waters; instead these waters are subject to wind and convection currents.
At the present time there is no evidence to indicate that thermal stratification
develops in Coffeeville Lake.
During those periods when stream flow is low and
temperatures are high, weak thermal stratification may develop in lower portions
of the lake. Areas most likely to develop thermal stratification include flooded
tributaries, and other backwater sites removed from the main river channel.
2-C-14.
Penstock depth.
The depth at which the penstock intake openings
are located may determine the quality of tailwaters released during power generation.
During stratification of lake water, if these openings are below the level in which
dissolved oxygen is present, then the tailwaters will be deficient in dissolved oxygen
and high in CO 2 , H2 S, and BOD (biochemical oxygen demand).
No hydropower facilities exist at Coffeeville Dam.
The tailwaters are composed
of releases through the navigation lock and over the fixed-crest spillway.
Low concen-
trations of dissolved oxygen are seldom found in tailwaters drawn from the surface of
the impoundment in this manner.
To date, no problems with impaired water quality
have been observed here.
2-C-15. Water-level fluctuations.
Coffeeville Lake was constructed pri-
marily as a navigation pool and as such is regulated to minimize water-level fluctu-
17
ations.
Water-level fluctuations are not expected to interfere seriously with fish
production in Coffeeville Lake, but the rather frequent wave-action from barge
traffic plus the continuous agitation of the sandy shore by stream flow has largely
eliminated the habitat fish-food organism production.
2-C-16. Uncleared flooded areas. All of the trees were cleared from
most of the reservoir below elevation 73 feet msl.
The location of the remains of
the few clumps of trees left to serve as fish attractors are found in inundated tributaries in the lower reaches of the lake..
2-C-17.
Meteorological influence. Weather conditions are a major in-
fluence on the water quality of Coffeeville Lake.
Due to the fairly high (and con-
stant) exchange rate there is little likelihood that the lake waters will stratify in
the Tombigbee River.
Heavy rainfall upon any portion of the Coffeeville drainage
will produce excessive flow and turbidity in this lake. Such conditions should be
expected each spring and may exist during the period when most species of fish will
be spawning.
18
3. Water Quality in Relation to Fish Production.
3-A.
General.
The quality of impounded river waters largely determines the
quality and quantity of aquatic life in the lake.
The water quality of a river is, in
turn, the product of its watershed. The river receives leached, washed-off, and
dumped contributions from agricultural, industrial, and urban use of the drainage
area.
3-B. Water quality constituents.
Since water is the medium in which aquatic
plants and animals spend most or all of their existence, water conditions must be
optimum for survival, growth, and reproduction of aquatic life.
Those water quality
parameters that are most important to aquatic life include temperature, dissolved
oxygen, pH, carbon dioxide and alkalinity, chemical type (hardness and so forth),
plant nutrients, toxic substances, and sediment load. Each of these water quality
parameters is discussed below.
3-B-1. Temperature.
The water temperature in a lake determines the
type of aquatic life that it can support. In the Southeast, water temperatm"es range
0
from about 40 to 95+ 0 F six inches below the sm"face.
Generally, weather condi-
tions control surface water temperatures, but the activities of man can sometimes
alter the temperature of water.
Some obvious examples of the latter case are the
construction of deep-water impoundments, the winter storage of cold waters, and
the release of heated water from industrial cooling systems.
19
3-B-l-a. Temperature stratification in a lake.
In all bodies of water
there is a tendency for the entire volume to be homogeneous in temperature during
the winter period. However, as the air temperature rises in the spring the surface
water temperature of a lake also increases.
Then as summer approaches, there
is an increasing temperature differential between the surface and the bottom waters
of a lake. The magnitude of this difference depends upon altitude of the lake, the
depth of water, and the quantity and quality of inflowing and outflowing waters.
In lakes of sufficient depth the summer thermal pattern starts at the surface
layer or epilimnon, where surface temperatures approach or may exceed mid-day
air temperatures.
Descending in depth, the water temperature decreases until it
approaches stratification and may form a thermocline.
This is a region in which
the water temperature decreases 1 0 for every meter of increasing depth.
During the spring the thermal pattern of Coffeeville Lake is typicaIly that of a
free flowing river during periods of intermittent flooding.
As summer approaches
the thermal pattern on the upper reach of the river exhibits thermal characteristics
of surface waters in Demopolis Lake and approaches an isothermic status by midsummer.
In the lower reach the Lake exhibits some slight decrease in water tem-
perature with increasing depth, but even under most adverse conditions of low flow
it never approaches a thermocline.
The thermal pattern existing in any portion of
this lake can be disrupted in warm weather by a heavy summer thunderstorm, by
excessive upstream discharges, and in the lower reach by prolonged high winds.
20
3-B-l-b.
Temperature conditions in tailwaters.
Since the Coffee-
ville Dam is a navigation structure where the river flows through gates over a
fixed crest spillway, the tailwaters have temperature characteristics almost identical to temperature in epilimnon of Coffeeville Lake.
3-B-2. Dissolved oxygen.
Surface waters must contain an adequate supply
of dissolved o":ygen in order to support aquatic life. Ranges of dissolved oxygen
concentrations in relation to freshwater fish production are shown in Figure 3.
Factors which affect the quantity of dissolved oxygen in water include temperatm'e, presence of oxidizable materials, respiration requirements of aquatic
plants and animals, and the abundance of phytoplankton. The oxygen-absorbing
capacity of water decreases as the water temperature rises.
However, the amolmt
of oxidizable organic and inorganic materials in the water determines the degree of
satm'ation that will be maintained.
Although water can absorb oxygen from the atmosphere, such absorption. is
limited to the surface layers of lakes.
Since a lake needs dissolved oxygen more
during the warm weather period when absorption is lower, a more efficient oxygen
source is required.
phytoplankton.
Such a source is provided by microscopic aquatic plants called
This biological process is so efficient that waters supporting moder-
ate-sized phytoplankton populations can become superstaurated with oxygen.
An overabundance of phytoplankton can be detrimental to the overall oxygen
situation in a lake. Dense growths reduce the depth to which sunlight can penetrate,
which in turn restricts the amolmt of photosynthesis.
21
Thus, oxygen production
Pond Fish
'"'"
Lethal
point for
pond
fish
(
Small bluegills may
survive if
CO is low.
2 J;
ppm
dissolved
0.1
>
Usable range for pond fish
I
)
0.2
-v
0.3
1.0
2.0
::>
Desirable range for pond
fish
3.0
4.0
5.0
;,>
_
oxyg~en~
I
Danger point
for stream
fish
Stream Fish
Figure 3. Oxygen content of water and its relation to fish.
Ii'
Desirable
range for
stream
! fish
;>
occurs near the water surface, while the oxygen demand below this layer is increased
by dead plants settling toward the bottom. Also, the dark-period respiration of this
dense plant population may utilize most of the previously-produced excess dissolved
oxygen. The supersaturation of surface waters resulting from excess oxygen production is not necessarily beneficial to a lake, since much of this supersaturation
is lost to the atmosphere if the area is subject to wind-wave action.
Dense populations of phytoplankton in lake waters are also undesirable since
such populations are subject to die-offs.
Such die-offs not only terminate oxygen
production in the water, but also create a severe oxygen demand.
This generally
results in complete oxygen depletion in the lake and the consequent suffocation of
aquatic life in the lake habitat.
In Coffeeville Lake there are sufficient plant nutrients present to support a moderate growth of phytoplankton, but other conditions have prevented this situation from
existing most of the time.
There are sufficient growths of phytoplankton, however,
to keep the dissolved oxygen concentrations in surface waters at 80 percent or more
of saturation during most of the year.
3-B-2-a. Dissolved oxygen stratification in lake. The dissolved
oxygen concentrations in CoffeeVille Lake are usually homogeneous during those
same cold weather periods when water temperatures are tmiform at all depths.
As
the surface waters begin to warm up, the dissolved oxygen saturation level decreases.
In addition, organic and inorganic oxidation processes begin to speed up and fish
and other aquatic life become more active. All of these factors increase the demand
for o;.,:ygen.
23
Since the entire reach of Coffeeville Lake has the characteristics of a river,
the dissolved oxygen concentration will be fairly uniform from surface to bottom
of the Lake throughout most of the year.
During periods of low flow and hot
weather there may be some decrease in dissolved oxygen from surface to bottom,
but it generally will not decrease to a level that endangers fish.
3-B-2-b.
Dissolved oxygen conditions in tailwaters.
The waters
overflowing Demopolis Dam are generally at 75 percent or greater saturation with
dissolved oxygen.
Such a condition assures that the tailwaters of this dam contain
the minimum dissolved oxygen concentration of 4 ppm for a majority of the time in
hot weather.
3-B-3.
2!!.
The pH of surface waters is a measm'e of whether the water
has an acid or basic reaction.
In most natm'al surface waters, pH reflects the
quantity of free carbon dioxide present.
Such waters generally fall in the pH range
of 6. 0 to 9.5, which is the range tolerated by freshwater fish (Figure 4 ).
Normally,
surface waters fluctuate somewhere between these two eJ>.1;remes every 24 hours as
a result of photosynthetic activity. Aquatic plants use the CO 2 and sunlight to produce 02 and carbohydrates during the day, thus raising the pH toward 9.5. At night
these plants respire, releasing CO 2 and depressing the pH toward 6. O.
Some sm'face waters, such as mine drainage wastes, may accumulate acid that
has leached from the exposed soil.
others may contain acidic or basic wastes from
industrial operations.
The pH of the waters in Coffeeville Lake fall within the range of 6.0 to 9.5.
24
ACID
DEATH
POINT
<
ALKALINE
DEATH
POINT
:;;.
;;roxlc
<
TO
LOW
FISH
li
FIGURE 4.
4
FISH
NO
REPRODUCTION
li
JJ
5
RELATIONSHIP
RANGE
FOR
PRODUCTION
~
3
DESIRABLE
6
OF pH
V
LOW
TOXIC TO
PRODUCTION
FISH
PRODUCTION
li
,
7
>
8
It
10
9
OF RESERVOIR WATERS
FOR FISH PRODUCTION
Ji
TO
THEIR
II
12
SUITABlll TY
3-B-4.
Carbon dioxide and alkalinity.
Most natural waters are buffered
by a carbon dioxide-bicarb onate-alkalinity system. The relationships of CO 2 , HC03-'
C0 -~ and OH- in natural waters are shown in Figure 5.
3
Carbon dioxide is a natural component of all surface waters. It may enter the
water from the atmosphere but only when the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in
the water is less than in the atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide can also be produced in
waters through biological oxidation of organic materials. In such cases, if the
photosynthetic activity is limited, the excess carbon dioxide will escape to the
atmosphere. Thus, surface waters are continually absorbing or giving up carbon
dioxide to maintain an equilibrium with the atmosphere.
The alkalinity of natural waters is due to the presence of salts of weak acids.
Bicarbonates represent the major form of alkalinity since they are formed in considerable amounts by the activity of carbon dioxide upon basic materials in the soils.
Under certain conditions natlll"al waters may contain considerable amounts of carbonate and hydroXide alkalinity.
This situation often exists in waters supporting a
moderate to heavy growth of phytoplankton.
These algae remove free and combined
carbon dioxide to such an extent that a pH of 9.0 to 10.0 often exists.
3-B-5. Chemical type.
The total hardness, total chloride, and total sulfate
content of surface waters indicates its chemical type, particularly where the source
of these ions is attributable to the soil formations in the drainage area.
Conductance
measurements are also included lmder this heading since it may be used to detect
changes that may occur in the relative abundance of the above mentioned ions.
26
~
Total Alkalinity
)
(
Bicarbonate Alkalinity
)
(
Carbonate and OH Alkalinity
)
Range of Occurrence of COS
Amount Determined by Titration with HCI.
'"...,
NaHCOS
Range of Occurrence of HCO S-. Amount
Determined by Titration with HCI.
CO 2
pH
= 4.5
Figure 5.
(
NaHCO S + HCI
(
Na2COS + HCI
HCO S
Concentration
Decreasing
8.S
Free OH- Occurs in this Range,
Usually Only in Polluted Waters,
)
10.0
11. 0
Relationship and det'9rmination of CO 2 , HCO -, COS --, and OH- in natural waters.
S
12.0
lS.0
Total hardness is primarily a meaSLU'e of the total divalent metallic and alkaline
earth elements in solution in the water. In most surface waters it measures calcium
and magnesium concentrations.
The range of total hardness in waters from Coffee-
ville Lake varies from 20
38
to
ppm as CaC03, with magnesium hardness
accounting for about 30 percent of the total concentrations.
It should be noted that water hardness is a direct reflection of the geology of
the drainage area.
Lake waters have an appreciable total hardness only when CO2
em'iched water flows over or through soluble limestone formations on its way to
the lake.
Total hardness also has a direct bearing upon the total alkalinity of soft
water lakes.
In this section of the United States the amount of total chlorides generally inclicates the degree of domestic and industrial pollution.
In the West, however, total
chlorides may reflect the type of drainage area. A ma'''imum concentration of less
than 20 ppm total chlorides would be considered normal in waters of Coffeeville Lake.
Total sulfates may indicate the type of drainage area.
A maximum concentra-
tion of less than 50 ppm total sulfates would be considered normal in waters of
Coffeeville Lake.
Conductance of surface waters depends on the total concentration of soluble ions
since this parameter meaSLU'es how well a sLU'face water conducts an electrical current.
Conductance is expressed as pmhos/cm 3 . It is useful in fisheries manage-
ment in detecting changes in certain soluble elements in the water.
In Coffeeville
Lake conductance ranged from 123 to 101 }illlhos/cm3 with a mean of 114. 5)lmhos/cm
over a 2 year period,
28
3
3-B-6.
Plant nutrients.
3-B-6-a. Nutrient enrichment in impoundments.
The surface runoff
in a river basin is both the solvent and the transporting vehicle for more than 15
elements that are essential nutrients in the growth of aquatic plants and animals.
The concentration of these elements in remoff water and eventually in river water
depends not only upon the types of soil and agricultural operations that occur in the
drainage area, but also upon the amounts of domestic sewage and industrial effluent
that may be discharged therein.
Once the nutrients reach the impoundment, various things may happen. Some
of the nutrients in a lake will always be present in soluble form.
These soluble
nutrients may originate either from re-solution of bottom muds or from waste and
decomposition of plants and animals. Another portion of the nutrients may be precipitated as colloidal matter directly into the bottom muds for temporary or permanent storage.
Yet another part of the input nutrient may be used in the growth and
reproduction of bacteria, flmgi, algae, or rooted aquatic plants. These plants may
be consumed by some animals, or the plants may die and deposit their nutrients in
the muds.
Animals eliminate most of the nutrients they consume as waste, retaining only
a small portion in their growth.
The growth-retained portion of nutrients may be
removed from the local environment if the animal flies, walks, crawls, or is taken
bodily fro111 the impolmdment. If the animal remains in the impoundment, it eventually dies.
Then the nutrients retllrn to the bottom muds or become a food item for
another animal.
29
Also, a portion of the input nutrients pass out of the impolmdment into the tailwaters and are then classified as outlet nutrients. These outlet nutrients may OCClIT
in soluble forms, bacteria, fungi, algae, rooted plants, animals, other organic
materials, and soil colloids. All of these nutrients move downstream to combine
with additional runoff and eventually become the input nutrients for the next impoundment.
There the process is repeated and so on until the river flows into the
ocean.
What has been described above is an abbreviated nutrient cycle for an impoundment.
In order for man to use this cycle to his advantage it is necessary to know
both the quantity of each nutrient found in each of the niches descr ibed and the rate
of partial or permanent retention. With such information available it is possible
to determine the element or elements responsible for over-production of noxious
plants, isolate the source(s), and eventually correct the problem.
Since the nutrient cycle of an impoundment is intimately related to eutrophication, and since a moderate degree of nutrient em'ichment is essential for fish production in impoundments, a tolerable eutrophication is beneficial.
In those areas
where there are excessive amounts of nutrients, seasonal rooted aquatic plants may
be used as a possible nutrient-retention site during periods of hot weather and frost
then provides a mechanism for the slow release of nutrients when there is a higher
rate of stream flow.
Since elemental nutrients are essential to aquatic life, it is necessary to know
how they are distributed in the water, suspended matter (living and dead, organic
and inorganic), bottom soils, plants, and fish.
to fully evaluate an aquatic habitat.
30
Only with this knowledge is it possible
3-B-6-b.
Macro-nutrients.
All living things are composed of elements
that are arranged in different combinations and configurations to form matter.
Those
elements which are most abundant in living tissues are called macro-nutrients or
major nutrients.
Macro-nutrients include carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phos-
phorus, sulfur, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sodium. The concentrations
of some macro-nutrients in various aquatic components of Coffeeville Lake are given
in Table 2.
Using the mean flow data of the Tombigbee River at Demopolis Dam and the
outflow at Coffeeville Dam and taking the average total nitrogen and total phosphorus
concentrations in the water at each location, the total daily input and output of these
nutrients were calculated for Coffeeville Lake.
These estimates for the SWllmers
of 1973-'74 are given below.
Daily loading
as total lbs.
Nutrient
Lbs/mi 2 Drainage
area
Nitrogen - input (1)
466,560
30.5
Nitrogen - output (2)
614,496
32.3
Phosphorus _ input (1)
1,728
.11
Phosphorus - output (2)
2,577
.14
(1) Based upon an inflowof21, 780 cfs and a drainage area of 15,300
square miles.
(2) Based upon an outflow of 26, 000 cfs and a drainage area of 19,000 square miles.
3-B-6-c.
J\llicro-nutrients.
In addition to the major nutrients men-
tioned above, all liVing things require minute quantities of other elements in order
31
Table 2. Average concentrations of macro-nutrients (elements) in filtered water,
suspended matter, bottom soils, rooted plants, and fish from Coffeeville
Lake.
Macronutrient
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Filtered
Suspended
Bottom
water, ppm matter, ppm soil, ppm
Plants
ppm
Fish
ppm
4.2
.038
.092
1,342
1,630
630
Potassium
2.21
.133
862
28,500
2,255
Magnesium
4.38
.141
1,335
4,080
383
CalciLUn
17.33
.0598
4,237
3,100
509
Sodium
11. 72
.045
1,242
20,800
1,062
32
to survive. Because only a very limited quantity of each element is required, they
are called micro-nutrients. Among the micro-nutrients are iron, manganese, copper,
zinc, molybdenum, vanadium, boron, chlorine, and cobalt.
There are undoubtedly
several other elements which eventually will be added to the list, but at present
these are the only ones whose active role in liVing organisms is Imown.
The micro-
nutrient concentration fOlmd in the various components of Coffeeville Lake are given
in Table 3.
3-B-6-d.
Nutrient SOlLrCes. All nutrients entering Coffeeville Lake
come from one of the following sources:
the atmosphere, domestic sewage, animal
production refuse, animal and vegetable processing waste, fertilizer and chemical
manufacturing spillage, other industrial effluents ancl agricultural runoff.
The discus-
sion here will concentrate on the SOLU'ces of the carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus
that enter this system.
In pond culture it has been demonstrated that water, like land, must be properly
fertilized to produce sustained high yields of fish.
Likewise, large impOlmdments
must have a continuous supply of nutrients in order to produce food for fish.
Un-
fortlmately, large impoundments have unregulated nutrient supplies and in some
instances become so over-fertilized that they produce noxious plant growth.
To date,
even though the supply of nitrogen and phosphorus in Coffeeville Lake has been adequate to produce a moderate phytoplankton growth, other factors have prevented such
a growth from developing.
Table 3. Averaged concentrations of micro-nutrients (elements) in filtered water,
suspended matter, bottom soils, rooted plants, and fish from Coffeeville
Lake.
Micronutrients
Filtered
water, ppm
Suspended
matter, ppm
Bottom
soil, ppm
Plants,
ppm
Fish,
ppm
Iron
.172
1. 089
3,550
2,320
53.95
Manganese
.016
.121
2,030
3,700
5.75
Copper
.007
.0212
84.7
.037
91. 25
96
.022
16.9
12
Zinc
Cobalt
.046
34
0
8.308
164.08
.995
Dissolved carbon is. known to be a limiting factor in development of microscopic
plant growths. Runoff waters from the Cumberland Plateau soils are poor in carbon
while those from Valley and Ridges Province soils contain moderate quantities of
carbon.
The main sources of dissolved carbon within the Warrior arm of Coffeeville
Lake are combined domestic and industrial wastes from the Birmingham and Tuscaloosa areas.
In each of these areas, the varied sources of wastes are in various
stages of developing waste treatment facilities to meet the water quality requirements
of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Alabama Water Improvement Commission.
ApprOXimately 19.4 percent of the Tombigbee River drainage area for Coffeeville
Lake lies below Demopolis Dam.
There are two large contributors of organic pollu-
tion within this area, Gulf State Paper Company and American Can Company.
Nutrient sources from the remainder of this portion of the Tombigbee drainage
area are primarily agricultmal in origin.
3-B-7. Toxic substances.
For many years researchers have recognized
that a Ilumber of chemical compolll1ds, alone or in combination with other compolmds,
are toxic to fish at low cOllcentrations.
For a long time it was impossible to identify
exact causative toxicants because of inadequate analytical techniques. In the past
decade, however, there have been some outstanding break-tlU'oughs in analytical
equipment and now it is possible to detect and identify most of the pollutants in water.
Tllis has permitted rapid strides to be made in the control of toxic substances.
35
Only three major groupings of toxicants are known to be present in the Tombigbee River system.
These three groups are pesticides, heavy metals, and other
industrial toxicants.
3-B-7-a.
Pesticides.
Pesticides, a product of modern organic chem-
istly, were unknown prior to World War II.
Since that time the efficacy of most of
the insecticides, bacteriacides, fungicides, and herbicides has created an enormous
market for tbese products.
Unfortunately, some of the compounds are quite toxic
to fish, and others are very persistent in either their original or analog form.
Tech-
niques of application have been devised to minimize the risk of those pesticides which
are toxic to fish, and a few such compolmds have been banned from use.
In the case
of persistent pesticides which acclffilluate in fish tissues, although their detrimental
effect upon fish production is questionable, many persons assume that such pesticides
consitute a hazard to human health.
Consequently, there are now strict regulations
concernirg the use of pesticides, particularly in aquatic areas.
Needless to say, many
insect vector and aquatic weed control practices on large impoundments have been
altered.
The amounts of pesticides detected in fish from Coffeeville Lake are listed in
Table 4.
The reSidues from each species are compared with the overall average
for that species of fish in all Alabama streams (Table 5).
Data on pesticide resi-
dues in fish from public fishing lakes in the vicinity of Coffeeville Lake are given in
Table 6.
36
Table 4.
""
Average concentrations of pesticide residues in fish collected from Coffeeville Lake, 1971. *
Concentrations in ppm wet weight of fish
Dieldrin
Endrin
BRC
Lindane
Species
DDT
PCB
Bass
.368
.455
.004
.003
ND
ND
Carp
.530
.750
.010
.003
ND
ND
Shad
.465
.490
.002
.001
ND
ND
Catfish
.222
.348
.003
.001
Toxaphene
--J
* Data from
ND
ND
Report on Pesticide Residue Content (Including PCB) of Fish, Water and sediment Samples
Collected in 1971 from Aquatic Sites in Alabama.
Table 5. Average concentrations (ppm wet weight) of pesticide residues in
various species of fish collected from the Tombigbee River compared
with the overall average from species collected in all rivers in
Alabama, 1971.'
Carp
Sucker
Shad
1. 078
.623
.926
1. 829
.698
.209
1. 218
-
.004
.008
.011
.008
.006
.015
.012
.006
.007
.009
.001
.002
.002
.002
.006
.004
.003
.003
ND
.003
.004
.026
1. 2. 2
-
1. 553
2.232
1. 785
3.091
1.19
3.274
ND
ND
ND
.040
ND
.019
ND
ND
.011
ND
ND
.013
ND
.03
Bass
Bluegill
Crappie
TO
AL
.533
.923
.785
.485
.276
.526
.551
.647
Dieldrin
TO
AL
.004
.007
.011
.015
.003
.009
Endrin
TO
AL
.003
.003
.007
.003
PCB
TO
AL
.871
1. 645
1.134
1. 523
BEC
TO
AL
.028
.025
.027
.022
Lindane
TO
AL
ND
.014
DDT
2.034
Catfish Buffalo
1.105
-ND
- 1. 653
5.51
.045
.027
ND
ND
ND
.028
ND
.05
ND
ND
ND
.034
'Data from Report on Pesticide Residue Content (Including PCB) of Fish, Water and
Sediment Samples Collected in 1971 from Aquatic Sites in Alabama.
TO - Samples from the Tombigbee River
A L - Overall average of fish from all rivers in Alabama
ND - Not detectable
38
2.24
Table 6.
Average concentrations (ppm wet weight) of pesticide residues in
various s,)ecies of fish collected from public fishing lakes located
in the Coffeeville Lake d,rainage area, compared with averages in species
from all 23 public fishing lakes in Alabama, 1971. *
Bluegill
Lam.
Mar.
Lam.
DL
AL
.071
.263
DL
AL
.002
DL
AL
ND
Pesticide
Site
DDT
Dieldrin
PCB
.146
Bass
Mar.
.253
Catfish
Lam.
Mar.
.100
.294
.125
.004
.001
.001
ND
NS
.242
.75
NS
.528
NS
.004
.003
.003
NS
.165
ND
NS
ND
DL - Samples from public lakes in the Demopolis Lake drainage area
AL - Overall average from fish in all public fishing lakes in Alabama
NS - No sample
ND - Not detectable
Lam. - Lamar County Public Fishing Lake
Mar. - Marion County Public Fishing Lake
* Data from
Report on Pesticide Residue Content (Including PCB) of Fish, Water
and Sediment Samples Collected in 1971 from Aquatic Sites in Alabama.
39
3-B-7-b. HeaVY metaJs.
There are a number of metallic elements
such as lead, zinc, mercury, chromium, cadmium, nickel, and copper that are
considered either essential or tolerable constituents of aquatic life when found in
limited quantities.
In larger amounts, however, these metals may be either toxic
or acclUllulative in aquatic organisms.
Unfortunately, OlU' Imowledge of the natural
occurrence of these elements in the water is limited, and so their true effects upon
the environment remain to be determined.
Data on the amount of these elements
found in the various components of the Coffeeville Lake aquatic habitat are given
in Table 7.
3-B -7 -c. Industrial toxicants.
Wastes from industrial operations con-
tain numerous materials that may be toxic to many or all forms of aquatic life.
Many
of the substances that were formerly disposed of as wastes are now being reclaimed
for reuse in industrial processes. Some llllusable wastes are also removed by treatment, but other toxicants such as cyanides and ammonia are quite difficult to remove
from effluents.
On the Tombigbee River the industrial wastes that have been most troublesome
are organic in nature and have contributed considerably to the BOD loading of the
receiving streams.
Fortunately, practically all of the industrial plants in the area
now have or are in the process of installing adequate secondary treatments for their
waste materials.
40
Table 7. Averaged concentrations of heavy metal elements in filtered water,
suspended matter, bottom soil, rooted plants, and fish from Coffeeville
Lake.
Metallic
elements
Filtered
water, ppm
Suspended
matter, ppm
Lead
.008
Mercury
00006
Chromium
.015
.00075
Cadmium
.0073
.0007
Nickel
.057
.043
.016
Bottom
Soil, ppm
Plants,
ppm
26.0
0
.045
41
Fish,
ppm
2.470
.37
159.87
0
1.008
.75
0
.233
53.57
20
1.513
3 B-8. Sediment load.
The sediment load transported by runoff waters
depends upon several factors in the watershed.
These factors include slope of the
land, soil types, quantity and type of land cover, and amount of construction on the
watershed. In addition, the seasonal rate and duration of rainfall in the drainage
area influences the sediment load of rLIDoff waters.
The Upper Warrior River drainage area occupies a topographic region with
moderately steep hills and relatively narrow valleys, while the Tombigbee River
drainage area occupies a region of moderate hills and relatively wide valleys.
The
soils within the Warrior Basin are moderately erodible, but due to the extensive
impoundment system on this basin a great part of the runoff sediment load is retained within this basin. The soils within the Tombigbee Basin are typical Upper
Coastal Plain Province derivatives that are also moderately erosive.
Since these
soils are mainly clays, the silt loading of runoff waters is mainly of a colloidal
natm'e.
Even though there are rather extensive impoundages on the Warrior River,
the colloidal loading of flood waters is not all retained within the basins.
Thus,
flood waters entering Coffeeville Lake from Warrior drainage basin may be rather
turbid.
The Upper Tombigbee River drainage basin has upstream land characteristics
similar to those on the Warrior Basin, while downstream land features are typical of
those fOLIDd within the Black Belt Soil formation.
There are no impoundments on this
River that would decrease its sediment load into Coffeeville Lake.
The average turbidity within Coffeeville Lake during SLUnlller of 1974 was 25 JTU's.
42
3-C.
Pollution sources.
The sources are generally identical to the nutrient
enrichment sources listed in Section 3-B-5-d. As a matter of record, the 1973
point sources of waste disposal on the Black Warrior - Upper Tombigbee - Lower
Tombigbee Rivers above Coffeeville Dam are given in Tables 8, 9, and 10. Where
available, the discharge rate and the status of the waste treatment facility at each
point source are included in the tables. Even though these treatment facilities have
been efficient in reducing the quantity of dissolved carbon released into the river,
large amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus are still released in the treated effluent.
Waste treatment benefits fisheries management most by the reduction of disease
organisms, solid waste (biodegradable carbonaceous materials), and certain nitrogen and phosphorus compounds in the water.
Inadequacies of present-day treatment
facilities include the apparent inability to retain a greater fraction of the nitrogen
and phosphorus compounds in their sludge, and their present limited capacity for
handling storm sewer runoff.
A large portion of the pesticide and some of the nitro-
gen compounds detected in rivers adjacent to and below sewage outfalls probably
were contributed by storm sewer runoff.
43
Table 8.
Black Warrior River waste sources
Location
Population
HHIT
Empire Coke
Tuscaloosa
Treatment
status
OK/OK
65,000
Kellerman Coal
OK
Reichold Chemical
HHIT
Warrior Asphalt
OK
Central Foundry
OK
Gulf States Paper
IT
Northport
8,000
OK/OK
Hunt Oil Co.
IT
B. F. Goodrich
OK
Eutaw
3,000
SWOC/OK
Moundville
2,000
SWOC/OK
Greensboro
3,000
SWOC/OK
Fayette
5,000
SWOC/OK
Berry
1,000
SWOC/OK
Arab
2,000
OK/OK
Carbon Hill
1,000
HHPT/BOTH
Parrish
1,000
SWOC/OK
Vulcan Asphalt
Jasper
IT
20,000
OK/SBEL
44
Remarks
Black Warrior River waste sources (cont'd.)
Treatment
status
Location
Population
Sumiton
2,000
SWOC/OK
Cordova
2,000
SWOC/OK
Cullman
11,000
SWOC/SBEL
Daubert Chemical
OK
Poultry By-Products
OK
Valley Creek STP
100,000
HHPT/BOTH
Woodward Iron
IT
McGraw-Edison (Fibre)
OK
Hackney Corp.
OK
Village Creek STP
u.
32,000
HHPT/BOTH
S. Steel
IT
Allied Chemical
IT
Republic Steel
IT
McGraw Edison (Power)
OK
Stockham Valves
OK
Army Aviation
OK
Hayes International
OK
Metalplate and Coatings
IT
Birmingham Hide and Tallow
OK
Birmingham Plating Works
IT
45
Remarks
Black Warrior River waste sources (cont'd.)
Location
Population
Treatment
§tatus
American C. I. Pipe
IT
S. E. Metals Co.
OK
Five Mile STP
15,000
HHPT/BOTH
Alabama By-Products
OK
Alabama By-Products
IT
Vulcan Rivet and Bolt
OK
U. S. Pipe and Foundry
IT
James B. Clow Co.
UK
John Hauser Co.
IT
Dolcita Quarry
OK
U. S. Pipe (Coal Washer)
OK
U. S. Pipe (Flat Top Mine)
OK
Roberts Galvanizing
IT
Pan National Fence
IT
Dixie Electrical Mfg.
IT
Connector Products
IT
Republic Steel
IT
Turkey Creek STP
2,000
OK/OK
Spring Valley Farms
Blountsville
HHIT
1,000
HHPT/BOTH
46
Remarks
Black Warrior River waste sources (cont'd.)
Location
Population
Abbott Farms
Oneonta
Treatment
status
IT
SWOC/EL5
4,000
47
Remarks
Table 9.
Upper Tombigbee River waste sources
Location
Population
Treatment
status
Haleyville
2,000
OKIOK
Winfield
3,000
SWOC/OK
Guin
2,000
SWOC/OK
Hollywood Vasarette
OK
Hamilton
2,000
SWOC/OK
Vernon
2,000
PS/BOTH
Sulligent
1,000
HHNT/BOTH
Brown Wood Pres.
OK
Huyck Felt
IT
Gorda
2,000
SWOC/OK
Carrollton
1,000
SWOC/OK
Aliceville
2,000
SWOC/OK
Reform
3,000
HHPT/BOTH
48
Remarks
Table 10.
Lower Tombigbee Waste sources
Location
Livingston
Population
4,000
SWOCIOK
Sumter Plywood
York
OK
3,000
SWOCIOK
Cumberland Gulf
Jackson
UK
4,000
SWOCIOK
Allied Paper
Grove Hill
Treatment
status
IT
3,000
PS/BOTH
American Can
IT
Demopolis
6,000
SWOCIOK
Linden
2,000
aKiaK
Gulf States
Chatom
IT
1,000
SWOCIOK
Olin Corp.
Alabama Electric Co-op.
OK
Geigy Chemical
IT
49
Remarks
TREATMENT CLASSIFICATIONS
For Municipal Dischargers:
HHIS - Health Hazard with Individual Treahnent Systems
HHNT - Health Hazard with No Treatment (Raw Discharge)
HHPT - Health Hazard with Primary Treahnent
PS - Primary System
SWOC - Biological (or equivalent) Treatment without Chlorination
OK - Minimum of Biological Treatment (or equivalent)
For Industrial Dischargers:
HHNT - Health Hazard with No Treatment (Raw Discharge)
HHIT - Health Hazard with Inadequate Treatment
IT - Inadequate Treatment
OK - Adequate Treatment
LOADING CLASSIFICATIONS
Municipal Dischargers Only:
SHEL - Significant Hydranlic Efficiency Loss
SBEL - Significant Biological Efficiency Loss
Both - Both of the above Conditions Exist
EL2 - Efficiency Loss (Either Type) Expected Within 2 years
EL5 - Efficiency Loss (Either Type) expected Within 5 years
OK - No Overload Anticipated for 5 years
49 - A
4. Aquatic Plants in the Impoundment.
4-A. Aquatic plant - definition.
The term "aquatic plant," as used in this
Plan, refers to a multitude of plant species (including some bacteria and fungi)
whose entire life cycle is passed within an aquatic environment.
Practically all aquatic plants may be desirable at one time or another in a particular habitat.
However, when they become too dense or interfere with other uses
of the water, they become a nuisance.
4-B.
Factors affecting aquatic plant growth.
Bodies of water are like land
areas in that some type of vegetation \vill occupy any suitable habitat.
Likewise,
the more abundant the nutrient supply, the more dense the vegetation, other environmental factors being favorable.
to be determined.
AII nutrients essential for plant growth are yet
Some of the elements known to be important are nitrogen (N),
phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn),
iron (Fe), silicon (Si) for diatoms, sulfur (S) as sulfates, o'q'gen (02), and carbon
(e) as carbonates.
In many habitats an abundance of nitrogen and phosphorus pro-
motes vegetative production if other conditions for growth are favorable.
Most
algae require some simple organic compounds, such as amino acids and vitamins,
and many trace elements, such as zinc and copper.
It must be remembered that factors other than plant nutrients also are operative
in the establishment and maintenance of aquatic plant growths.
For the process of
photosynthesis to occur, there must be sufficient light reaching the critical point in
50
the habitat.
If turbidity from muds, dyes, other materials, or even phytoplankton
is too great, plants at lower depths cannot grow. However, certain plants, if established in an area, can trap large amounts of intermittent silt and other materials,
and clear the waters for downstream uses.
Another factor that might be operative in preventing aquatic plant growth would
be the lack of free C02 and bicarbonate ions in a particular aquatic environment.
Certainly an area in which the pH is high, 9.5 or above, or low, below 5.5, productivity would not reach high levels due to a lack of sufficient bicarbonates.
Temperature also is an important factor in determining the amount of growth.
For each species there is an optimum range in which the greatest growth occurs.
Wave action on large eXllanses of water may also be a factor in regulating all
types of aquatic plant growths.
This appears contradictory to the concept that
winds cause mixing of surface and bottom waters, thereby renewing plant nutrients
in the euphotic zone.
However, in certain lakes and reservoirs, wind induced waves
and currents mechanically agitate bottom materials and waters to an extent that
interferes with the production of phytoplankton and rooted aquatic plants.
4-C. Aquatic plant groups and associated habitat problems. The plants that
occupy an aquatic habitat may be divided into bacteria, fungi, algae, and rooted or
floating flowering plants.
In the paragraphs which follow there is a brief summary
of the characteristics of each plant gronp and the problems the plants may create.
51
4-C-1.
Bacteria. Members of the group of sheath-formers are the pri-
mary bacterial nuisance in rivers, lakes and ponds. A notable problem associated
with this group occurs in areas subjected to organic enrichment.
Bacteria, espe-
cially of the genus Sphaerotilus, are prevalent in areas receiving raw domestic
sewage or improperly stabilized paper pulp effluents containing a small amount of
simple sugars. The bacterial growths interfere with fishing by fouling lines, clogging nets, and generally creating unsightly conditions in an infested area.
Their
metabolic demands while living and their decomposition after death also cause the
bacteria to impose a high BOD load on the stream, which can severely deplete dissolved ohygen.
Furthermore, it has been reported that large populations of Sphaero-
tilus render the habitat noxious to animals and thus actively exclude desirable fish
and invertebrates.
There are no known growths of Sphaerotilus in Coffeeville Lake.
4-C-2.
Fungi.
No information.
4-C-3.
~.
The freshwater algae are quite diverse in shape, color,
size and habitat.
In fact, describing all the species of algae would be as compre-
hensive as writing about all the land plants, including fungi, mosses, ferns, and
seed plants.
Algae may be free-floating (planktonic) or attached to the substrate (benthic or
epiphytic types). They may be macroscopic or microscopic and are single-celled,
colonial, or filamentous.
When present in sufficient numbers, these plants impart
52
color to the water, varying from gTeen to yellow to red to black.
They may also
congTegate at or near the water surface and form a scum or waterb loom.
Algae form the first link in the aquatic chain which converts inorganic constituents in the water into organic matter.
During the daylight hours algae photosyn-
thesize, thus removing carbon diol\ide from the water and producing ol\ygen. Algae
also produce carbon dioxide by their continual respiration.
The amount of Ol\ygen
produced by algae during active photosynthesis is generally in excess of the amount
of carbon dioxide released by respiration.
Limited concentTations of algae are not troublesome in surface waters, but an
overabundance of various species is undesirable for many water uses. A relati vely
abundant gTowth of phytoplankton in waters 3 or more feet deep shades the bottom
muds enough to prevent germination of seeds and halt the gTowth of practically all
rooted sumbersed and emersed aquatics.
This removes an important source of
food for ducks and other waterfowl.
Some gTeen algae, blue-gTeen algae, and diatoms produce odors and scums that
make water less desirable for swimming. Also, people who are allergic to many
species of algae are affected if the algae become very numerous iu waters used for
swimming.
Dense gTowths of such phytoplankton and filamentous algae may limit photosyntlletic activity to a surface layer only a few inches deep. Under certain conditons
the populations of algae may die and their decomposition will deplete dissolved
oxygen in the entire body of water.
53
A number of algal species reportedly cause gastric disturbances in humans
who consume the infested water.
Under certain conditions, several of the blue-
green algae produce toxic organic substances that kill fish, birds, and domestic
animals. The genera that contain species which may produce toxins are Anabaena,
Anacystis, Aphanizomenon, Coelosphaerium, Gloeotrichia, Nodularia, and Nostoc.
Species of the
g~reen
algae, ChI orella, have also caused toxicosis.
Many forms of phytoplankton and filamentous algae clog sand filters in water
treatment plants, produce undesirahle tastes and odors in drinking water, and
secrete oily substance that interfere with manufacturing processes and domestic
water use.
Certain algae cause foaming of water during heating, corrosion of
metals, or clogging of screens, filters, and piping. Algae may also coat cooling
towers and condensers, causing these units to become ineffecti ve.
Filamentous algae in ponds, lakes, and reservoirs may deplete the nutrient
supply of the unicellular algae which are more commonly eaten by fish or fish-food
organisms. Dense growths of filamentous algae may also reduce total fish production and seriously interfere with harvesting the fish by hook and line, seining, or
draining.
Under certain conditions, these growths on pond and lake bottoms be-
come so dense they eliminate fish spawning areas and possibly interfere with the
production of invertebrate fish food.
However, the amount of cover provided by
such large growths of filamentous algae can contribute to enormous population increases, resulting in large numbers of small stunted fish.
A list of various genera
of algae collected from Coffeeville Lake is gi ven in Table 11.
54
Table 11.
List of phytoplankton genera collected from Coffeeville Lake in 1974.
Chlorophyta
Actinastrum
Chlamydomonas
Dictyosphaerium
Scenedesmus
8elenastrum
Euglenophyta
Phacus
Trachelomonas
Chrysophyta
Asterionella
Unidentified diatoms
Cyanophyta
Spirulina
55
4-C-4.
Flowering plants.
floating, and marginal plants.
This group includes submersed, emersed,
These aquatics may be rooted in the soil or they
may have roots which float at or near the water surface.
Submersed plants are those which produce most or all of their vegetation beneath the water surface. These plants often have an underwater leaf form totally
different from the floating or emersed leaf form.
The flowers usually grow on an
aerial stalk. The abundance of these weeds depends upon the depth and turbidity of
the water and also upon the type of bottom.
In clear water 8 to 10 feet is the maxi-
mum depth of their habitat, since they must receive enough light for photosynthesis
when they are seedlings.
Most of these submersed aquatics appear capable of ab-
sorbing nutrients and herbicides through either their roots or their vegetative growth.
Emersed plants are rooted in bottom muds, but produce most of their vegetation
at or above the water surface. Some species have leaves that are flat and float entirely upon the surface of the water. Other species have saucer-shaped or irregular
leaves which do not float entirely upon the water surface.
Marginal plants are probably the most widely distributed of the rooted aquatic
plants and are quite varied in size, shape, and habitat.
Many species can grow
both in moist soils and in water up to 2 feet deep. Other species grow only in moist
soils or only in a water habitat.
Floating plants have t11.1e roots and leaves, but instead of being anchored in the
soil they float about on the water surface.
111e plants are buoyant due to modifications
of the petiole and the leaf, including the covering of the leaf surface.
Most species
ha ve well-developed root systems which collect nutrients from the water.
56
Species designated as weeds are not necessarily such in all places and at all
times.
For example, many submersed and emersed plants that normally interfere
with water recreation are considered desirable food sources in waterfowl refuges.
Rooted plants with floating leaves (e. g., waterlilies and watershield) and those
plants which float upon the surface (e. g., waterhyacinth, parrotfeather, alligatorweed, and duckweeds) are considered highly objectionable by many water users.
However, in clear water areas where artificial or natural fertilization is moderate,
removal of these surface-shading plants permits sunlight to penetrate to the bottom
muds and thus submersed plants may soon occupy these waters.
These submersed
plants geuerally are considered more objectionable than the original surface-covering
plants.
Most emersed and marginal plants and a few sumbersed plants plus filamentous
algae provide a suitable habitat for the development of anopheline and other pest
mosquitoes. They also furnish a hiding place for snal<es and are an excellent habitat
for damselflies and some aquatic beetles.
Like filamentous algae, flowering plants consume llutrients that cou Id otherwise
by used by phytoplankton. Thus, an overabundance of rooted plants may reduce
total fish production in an infested body of water and interfere with harvesting the
fish.
There is also evidence that rank growths of submersed, emersed, or floating
weeds may deplete the dissol ved oxygen supply in shallow waters. This causes fish
to move into more open and better quality water, if such water is available.
Ex-
tensive growths of weeds can, however, provide so much cover that the fish popu-
57
lation increases enormously, resulting in overcrowding and stunting. A listing of
the potentially noxious flowering aquatic plants in Coffeeville Lake is given in
Table 12.
4-D. Aquatic plant populations of Coffeeville Lake and methods for their control.
The majority of the shoreline on the mainstream portion of Coffeeville Lake consists
of shifting sands that are moved with each rising water.
On the lower tributary
streams and flooded swamps, there are extensive marginal stands of alligatorweed,
with lesser stands of Leersia, American lotus, lizardtail, and Sagittaria.
Stands of
cutgrass are currently limited, but as the banks become stabilized, the growth of
this plant is anticipated to expand.
Cattails are very scarce and their spread is
not anticipated to be great in the future unless the banks become very stable.
The stands of alligatorweed were all inhabited by the Argentine flea beetle, but
the degree of control evident in June, 1974, was variable.
The factors responsible
for the slow beetle damage could have been high waters and cool nights.
It is anti-
cipated that as the summer progresses that the beetle population will expand and
largely control the growths of alligatorweed.
58
Table 12.
List of the noxious flowering aquatic plants in Coffeeville Lake.
cattails
arrowhead
cutgrass
Giant cutgrass
Lizardtail
Alligatorweed
American lotus (yellow lotus)
Typha sp.
Sagitta ria sp.
Leersia sp.
Zizaniopsis miliacea
Saururus cernuus
Alternanthera philoxeriodes
Nelmnbo lutea
59
5.
Description of the Fishery.
Prior to, and tlu'oughout the time this impoundment has existed very limited
studies have been conducted to determine the species of fish present, the abundance
of each species in the total population, the condition of individuals of each species,
the availability of fish-food organisms, and the prevalence of disease and parasite
infestations.
The available information on each of these aspects of the Coffeeville
Lake fishery is summarized in this section.
this report was gathered in 1974.
Most of the information presented in
Limited pre-impolmdment data on the stretch of
stream included in this lake are available for comparative purposes.
5-A.
Warmwater species of fish in Coffeeville Lake.
The earliest studies of
the fishes in the Tombigbee River system were conducted in the 1870's.
Since that
time several ichthyologists have collected in this area and have added to the total
list of species that have existed in this stretch of the river.
These findings were
summarized in 1968 by Smith- Vaniz, and a check list of known and doubtful species
that currently exist was prepared.
The warmwater species comprising this list
were divided into three groups; sport, commercial, and miscellaneous as presented
in Table 13.
The separation of the species of fish in the Tombigbee River into sport, commercial, and miscellaneous categories is not wholly justifiable in the overall ecology
of any particular aquatic habitat.
The sport fish consists of those species generally
sought by the various types of hook and line fishermen.
Thus, in a true sense the
catfish should be included in this group because many bank fishermen would prefer
60
Table 13. A check list of warmwater fish species believed to be present in Coffeeville
Lake, separated into Game, Commercial, and Other groupings. *
Game Species
Redfin pickerel
Esox americanus
Chain pickerel
White bass
Morone chrysops
Yellow bass
Morone mississippiensis
Stri ped bas s
Morone saxatilis
Rock bass
Ambloplites rupestris
Flier
Centrarchus macropterus
Warmouth
Chaenobryttus gulosus
Green sunfish
Lepomis cyanellus
Orangespotted sunfish (intro.)
Lepomis humilis
Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirus
Dollar sunfish
Lepomis Inarginatus
Longear sunfish
Lepomis megalotis
Red-ear sunfish
Lepomis microlophus
Spotted sunfish
Lepomis punctatus
Spotted bass
Micropterus punetulatus
Largemouth bass
Micropterus salmoides
Wh ite crappi e
Pomoxis annularis
Black crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Sauger
Stizostedion vitreum
61
Table 13, cont'd.
Commercial Species
Paddlefish
Polyodon spathula
American eel
Anguilla rostrata
Carp (introduced)
Cyprinus carpio
Quillback
Carpiodes cyprinus
Highfin carpsucker
Carpiodes velifer
Blue sucker
Cycleptus elongatus
Creek chubsucker
Erimyzon oblongus
Lake chubsucker
Erimyzon sucetta
Sharpfin chubsucker
Erimyzon tenuis
Alabama hogsucker
Hypentelium etowanum
Smallmouth buffalo
Ictiobus bllballls
Spotted sucker
Minytrema melanops
River redhorse
Moxostoma carinatulU
Blacktail redhorse
Moxostoma poecilurum
Blue catfish
Ictalurus fllrcatus
Black bullhead
Ictallurus rnelas
Yellow bullhead
IctalLurus natalis
Brown bullhead
IctalLurus nebulosus
Channel catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
Flathead catfish
Pylodictus olivaris
Freshwater drum
Aplodinotus grunniens
striped mullet
Mugil cephalus
62
Table 13, cont'd.
Miscellaneous Species
Chestnut lamprey
lchthyomyzon castaneus
Southern brook lamprey
Ichthyomyzon gagei
Least brook lamprey
Lampetra aepyptera
Shovelnose sturgeon
Scaphirhynchus platorynchus
Spotted gar
Lepisosteus oculatus
Longnose gar
Lepisosteus osseus
Alligator gar
Lepisosteus spatula
Bowfin
Amia calva
Alabama shad
Alosa alabamae
Skipjack herring
Alosa chrysochloris
Largescale menhaden
B revoortia patronus
Gizzard shad
Dorosoma cepedianum
Threadfin shad
Dorosoma petenense
Bay anchovy
Anchoa mitchilli
Mooneye
Hiodon tergisus
Stoneroller
Campostoma anomalum
Silverjaw minnow
Ericymba buccata
Cypress minnow
Hybognathus hay i
Silvery minnow
Hybognathus nuchalis
Speckled chub
Hybopsis aestivalie
63
Table 13, cont'd.
Miscellaneous Species, cont'd.
Bigeye chub
Hybopsis amblops
Silver chub
Hvbopsis storeriana
Bluehead chub
Nocomis leptocephalus
Golden shiner
Notemigonus crysoleucas
Rough shiner
Notropis baileyi
Pretty shiner
Notropis bellus
Ironcolor shiner
Notropis chalybaeus
Striped shiner
Notropis chrysocephalus
Fluvial shiner
Notropis edwarc1raneyi
Pugnose minnow
Notropis emiliae
Sailfin shiner
Notropis hypselopterus
Taillight shiner
Notropis maculatus
Cherryfin shiner
Notropis roseipinnis
Silverband shiner
Notropis shumardi
Flagfin shiner
Notropis signipinnis
Silverstripe shiner
Notropis stilbius
Weed shiner
Notropis texanus
Blacktail shiner
Notropis venustlls
Mimic shiner
Notropis voillcelllls
Bluenose shiner
Notropis welaka
Sandloving shiner
Notropis sp. cf. longirostris
64
Table 13, cont'd.
Miscellaneous Species, cont'd.
BlLmtnose minnow
Pimephales notatus
Bullhead minnow
Pimephales vigi lax
Creek chub
Semotilus atromaculatus
Black madtom
Notm"llS flmebris
Tadpole madtom
NoturllS gyrinlls
Speckled madtom
Noturus leptacanthus
Freckled madtom
NOtllrllS nocturnlls
Pirate perch
Aphredoderus sayanlls
Atlantic needlefish
Strongylura marina
Starhead topminnow
FtUldlllus notti
Blackspotted topminnow
Fundulus olivaceus
Mosquitofish
Gambusia affinis
Brook silverside
Labidesthes sicculllS
Banded scuipin
Cottus carolinae
Banded pygmy sunfish
Elassoma zonatllln
Crystal darter
Ammocrypta asprella
Naked sand darter
Ammocrypta beani
Scaly sand darter
Ammocrypta vivax
Bluntnose darter
Etheostoma chlorosomllm
Swamp darter
Etheostoma fllsiforme
65
Table 13, cont'd.
Miscellaneous Species, cont'd.
Harlequin darter
Etheostoma histrio
Johnny darter
Etheostoma nigrum
Goldstripe darter
Etheostoma parvipinne
Cypress darter
Etheostoma proeliare
Rock darter
Etheostoma rupestre
Speclded darter
Etheostoma stigmaeum
Gulf darter
Etheostoma swaini
Redfin darter
Etheostoma whipplei
Blackwater darter
Etheostoma zoniferum
Etheostoma (ffiocentra) sp.
Logperch
Perchk'! caprodes
Blackside darter
Percina maculata
Blackbanded darter
Percina nigrofasc ia ta
River darter
Perc ina shmnardi
stargazing darter
Perc ina uranidea
*Data from William F. Smith- Vaniz, Freshwater Fishes of Alabama (1968);
and Dr. John S. Ramsey, Auburn University Department of Fisheries and
Allied Aquacultures.
66
these species over most others in the river.
Likewise, the commercial group
includes those species generally sought by commercial fishermen.
These are
those species that are allowed (by law) to be openly sold in commerce.
This is
an understandable regulation since these are the most abundant species of edible
fishes in most rivers.
The name of the third group, miscellaneous, implies that
this group of species are of no value since they are not consunled by humans.
In
many sportsmen's minds this means that these species are wholly detrimental to
sport and commercial fish production in rivers and large impoundments.
This is
an erroneous conclusion for each of these species has a role in maintaining a "balance of nature" in the particular habitat where they exist.
Certainly the feeding
habits of many of these species of non-game and non-commercial species must be
e;..'tremely beneficial in the break down of many organic materials which enter and
tend to accumulate in surface waters. Their conversion of this waste into food for
the more desirable game and commercial species of fish is one major aim of reservoir fisheries management.
In concluding the discus sion of this grouping of species of fishes from the Tombigbee River, let it be made clear that no information exists which would indicate
that anyone of these species should be eliminated. Under certain conditions the
expansion of the population of one or more species may diminish the production of
more desirable species within the impoundment. It is the purpose of fisheries
management to prevent or correct such unfavorable conditions when they develop.
5-B.
Cold water species of fish in Coffeeville Lake.
67
None.
5-C.
The downstream species from Coffeeville Dam.
According to the best
information available today, the same species of warmwater fish exist in the tailwater that exist in Coffeeville Lake.
5-D. Rare and endangered species.
The Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources has prepared a list of all those species of fish that might be
considered rare or endangered in the surface waters of Alabama.
Prior to the
construction of Coffeeville, Demopolis, and Warrior Dams the salt-water striped
bass, Morone saxatilis, migrated up this stream. Whether or not it spawned in
this stream is unknown.
Since the closure of these Dams there has been no up-
stream migration and no recorded spawning by any impounded striped bass on this
drainage basin.
5-E.
Fish-food organisms.
In 1974 a limited biological survey was made of
the Tombigbee River Basin between Coffeeville and Demopolis Dams by personnel of
Auburn University's Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures.
The information
presented in tlils Plan was obtained from hand-picked samples collected at various
points on the Lake.
During the collection of samples biologists noted hatches of adult mayflies.
The presence of these insects indicated that this aquatic habitat was suitable for the
production of fish-food organisms.
A listing of the macroinvertebrate forms collected from Coffeeville Lake in 1974
are presented in Table 14.
68
Table 14.
Macroinvertebrates from weed samples taken from Coffeeville Lake.
Crustacea
Amphipoda
~yalella
azteca
Insecta
Hemiptera
Abeclus
Plea
Trichoptera
Oecetis (2 spp. )
Agravlea
Diptera
Polypedilum
Tribelos
69
While a diversity of organisms was obtained during' this study, and it was generally concluded that they indicated that these river waters were suitable media for
their reproduction and development, the quantitative data did not indicate their presence in any great ablmdance.
It appears that the liquid portion of the habitat was
very satisfactory for the development of macroinvertebrates, but the configuration
of the stream channel was generally too deep and shifting of the sandy banks was
too extensive for this development to occur.
As pointed out previously, Coffeeville Lake is a moderately deep run-of-theriver impoundment, and is largely unsuitable for bottom organism production.
On
the other hand it does produce a fair population of phytoplankton and must depend
upon this as its primary source of fish-food organisms.
5-F. History of parasite and disease incidents in fish populations.
For the
years that Coffeeville Lake has been impounded there have been incidents of fish
mortality when all water quality parameters have been ideal for fishes to grow and
reproduce.
One major cause of warm weather fish kills has been a bacterial infection
caused by the group called Aeromonas.
Generally this type of infection is recog-
nized by the large, red, boil-like lesions on the body of the fish.
Two factors, operative in the springtime, tend to incite the spread of both parasite and disease infections.
One factor is a rising water temperature, that provides
the optimunl parasite and disease development range
(65 to 75 0 F).
A second
factor is that this temperature range is the same that stimulates fish spawning
and many species of sunfishes and basses are congregated and sweeping nests.
70
Thus
there is crowding of fish into a restricted area, and these fish are aggressive and
strongly defend their nesting territory.
This results in much physical contact and
fighting among many individuals and provides ideal condition for spread of infections.
Another factor is that the fishes condition is generally at its lowest ebb during this
early spring period making the fish more susceptible to diseases and parasite
attacks.
Current trends in fish disease and parasite infections in lakes of the Southeastern United states indicate that infections are generally more prevalent during
warmer months, but may occur in varying degrees throughout the year. Also, it
has been noted that under certain conditions the spread of infections may intens ify
over a period of several years.
These are numerous bacteria plus viruses and parasites that have been isolated
and identified from fish collected throughout the Mobile River basin.
These listings
are presenta:! in Tahles 15 and 16.
Needless to say, the loss of mostly harvestable-sized fish to disease and parasite infections is undesirable, nevertheless it indicates that considerably more
harvestable-sized fish were present in the lake than are being harvested by the
fishermen.
To date no satisfactory treatment has been devised that could be used
to combat the spreading of disease and parasite infections among the fish population
in Coffeeville Lake.
5-G. History of fish kills.
During the 17 years that Coffeeville Lake has been
impounded there was one major fish kill below the outfall of Gulf state Paper
71
Table 15.
r. Amiidae
Fish parasites in the Mobile River Basin *
Cestoda
Haplobothrium
Proteocephalus
Acanthocephala
Neoech inorhynchus
II. Anguillidae
III.
Catostomidae
Crustacea
Ergasilus
Fungi
Saprolegnia
Protozoa
Glossatella
Myxobilus
Myxosoma
Trematoda
Anoncohaptor
Aplodiscus
Daety logyrus
Gyrodaclylus
Myzotrema
Octomacrum
Pellucidhaptor
Pseudomurraytrema
Triganodistomum
Cestoda
Biacetabulum
Isoblaridacris
Monobothrium
Proteocephalus
Nematoda
Capillaria
Philometra
Spinitectus
72
Table 15 (cont'd.)
III.
(cont'd.)
Acanthocephala
A canthocephalus
Neoechinorhynchus
Pilum
Leech
Piscicolaria
Placobdella
Crustacea
Argulus
Ergasilus
IV.
Centrarchidae
Fungi
Saprolegnia
Protozoa
Epistylis
Myxobilatll s
Trichodina
Myxosoma
Glossatella
Myxidium
Trematoda
Actinocleidlls
Anchoradiscus
ClavlInculus
Crepidostomum
Cryptogonimus
Gyrodaetylus
Lyrodiscus
Neasclls
Phyllodistomum
Pisciamphistoma
Posthodiplostomum
Urocleidus
Cleiclodiscus
Uvelifer
Leuceruthenls
Clinostomum
73
Table 15 (cont'd.)
IV.
(cont'd.)
Cestoda
Botllr iocephalu s
Haplobothrium
Proteocephalus
Nematoda
Camallanus
Capillaria
Contracaecum
Hedruris
Philometra
Spinitectus
Spiroxys
Acanthocephala
A canthocephalus
Eocollis
Leptorhynchoides
Neoechinorhynchus
Pilum
Pomphyrhynchus
Leech
Cystobranchus
Illinobdella
Pisciolaria
Crustacea
Ergasilus
Actheres
Lernea
Mollusca
Glochidium
v.
Clupeidae
Protozoa
Ichthyophthirius
Plistophora
Trichodina
Scyphidia
74
Table 15 (cont'd.)
V.
(cont'd.)
Trematoda
Pseudoanthocotyloides
Mazocraoides
Cestoda
Bothriocephalus
Nematoda
Capillaria
Hedruris
Acanthocephala
Gracilisentis
Tanaorhamphus
Crustacea
Ergasilus
VI.
Cyprinidae
Protozoa
Epistylis
Glossatella
Ichthyophthirius
Myxobilatus
Myxosoma
Trichodina
Scyphidia
Trematoda
A lloglossidium
Crepidostomum
Dactylogyrus
Gyrodactylus
Neascus
Posthodiplostomum
Pseudacolpenteron
Cestoda
Atracto Iytocestus
Biacetabulum
Khawia
Penarchigetes
Proteoecephalus
75
Table 15 (cont'd.)
VI.
(cont'd.)
Nematoda
Rhabdochona
Leech
Placobdella
Crustacea
Argulus
Ergasilus
Lernaea
Mollusca
Glochidia
VII.
Esocidae
Trematoda
Crepidostomum
Cestoda
Proteocephalus
Nematoda
Heclruris
Phil ornetra
Rhabdochona
Acanthocephala
Neoechinorhynchus
Pilum
Crustacea
Ergasilus
Lernaea
VIII.
Ictaluridae
Fungi
Saprolegnia
Protozoa
Chiloclon
Costia
Glossatella
Henneguya
Ichthyophthirius
76
Table 15 (cont'd.)
VIII.
(cont'd.)
Protozoa (cont'd.)
Scyphidia
Trichodina
Trichophrya
Trematoda
Alloglossidium
Cleidodiscus
Clinostol11um
Gyrodactylus
Phyllodistol11um
Posthodiplostol11um
Cestoda
Corrallobothrium
Nematoda
Contracaecul11
Raphidascaris
Spinitectus
Acanthocephala
Neoechinorhynchus
Leech
Cystobranchus
Crustacea
Achtheres
Argulus
Ergasilus
Lernaea
IX.
Lepisosteidae
Trematoda
Didymozeidae
Cestoda
Proteocephalus
Nematoda
Hedruris
77
Table 15 (cont'd.)
IX.
(cont'd.)
Crustacea
Argulus
Ergasilus
X.
Polyodontidae -
Trematoda
Diclybotbrium
Cestoda
Marsipometra
Nematoda
Camallanus
Crustacea
Ergasilus
XI.
Sciaenidae
Trematoda
Crepidostomum
A lloglossidium
Nematoda
Contracaecum
Cystidicola
Crustacea
Ergasilus
Lernaea
Mollusca
Glochidia
* Based
largely on class collections; slides in possession of Dr. Wilmer A. Rogers,
Auburn University Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures.
78
Table 16.
Viral, bacterial and fungal diseases of r'Olservoir fish *
Catostomidae
Viruses - None
Bacteria
Aerolllollas liquefaciens (Syn. :.A. hydrophila, A. pUllctata)
Pseudomonas fluorescens
Chondrococcus colunU1aris
Fungi
Saprolegnia
Achlya
Centrarchidae
Viruses
Lymphocystis
Bacteria
Aeromonas liguefaciens (Syn, : A. hydrophila, A. pUllctata)
Pseudolnonas flourescens
Chondrococcus columnaris
Fungi
Saprolegnia
Achlya
Branchiomyces
Clupeidae
Viruses - None
Bacteria
Aeromonas liquefaciens (Syn.
Pseudonlonas flouresceilli
Chondrococcus columnaris
Fungi
Saprolegnia
Achlya
::!h
hydrophila, A. punctata).
Table 16 (Cont'd).
Cyprinidae
Viruses - None
Bacteria
Aeromonas ligllefaciens (Syn. :A. hydrophila, A. punctata)
Pseudomonas flllorescens
ChondrococcllS columnaris
Fungi
Saprolegnia
Achlya
Esocidae
Viruses - None
Bacteria
Aeromonas liqllefaciens (Syn. : A. hydrophila, A. punctata)
Pseudomonas flllorescens
Chondrococcus coillmnaris
Fungi
Saprolegnia
Achlya
Brachiomyces
Ictaluridae
Viruses
Channel catfish virus (has not been found in reservoirs)
Bacteria
Aeromonas liquefaciens (Syn. : A. hydrophila,
Pseudomonas flllorescens
Chondrococcus collllnnaris
!2..
~unctata)
Fungi
Saprolegnia
Achlya
* Information
from Dr. John A. Plumb, Auburn University Department of Fisheries
and Allied Aquacultures.
80
Company in 1958.
Following that kill this mill installed additional waste treatment
facilities that improved the quality of its effluent to meet current water quality
standards for the state of Alabama.
This has resulted generally in fair water
quality downstream to the vicinity of Marathon Southern Corporation (mile 172).
However, under some adverse conditions, Marathon Southern Corporation has
has to instigate additional effluent treatment to prevent their discharge from degrading the Tombigbee River to a level less than the water quality standards set
by the Alabama Water Improvement Commission.
While the current condition is satisfactory for fish sm"vival and growth, an
effert should be made to improve the general water quality throughout the upper
two-thirds of Coffeeville Lake.
5-H.
Establishment of Coffeeville Lake fishery including flooding schedule.
The orig'in of the freshwater fishery in Coffeeville Lake was the fish populatiOll
inhabiting the Tombigbee River and its tributaries between Demopolis Dam and the
site of Coffeeville Dam at the time Coffeeville Dam was closed. As the lake began
to flood the banks and tributary flood plains, it provided an enriched habitat for
the expanded production of fish and fish-food organisms.
This additional food
supply resulted in an increased reproductive and growth rate for most species of
fish.
This fish population continued to expand throughout the filling period and for
some time after the reservoir reached elevation 32.5 feet ms1.
81
5-1.
History of species composition, relative abundance, and condition within
each species including methods used to obtain fish samples.
One of the major
problems that has confronted fisheries biologists has been the lack of techniques to
accurately estimate the population of fish that exist in large impoundments.
To date,
the estimates that are available in various publications and in biologists' files are
open to criticism, but no one can say that they are unreliable. In large ponds and
small lakes it is usually possible to get an accurate COlillt of the population by
draining the water from the basin, collecting all of the fish, and separating, measuring,
counting, and weighing each species present.
While this destroys the fish population
it does allow an accurate count and weight of the fish present at the moment they
were collected.
In large impoUl1dments on a river this technique is impossible
and tillwarranted for many reasons.
5 - I-1.
Methods of sampling fish populations.
In the search for techniques
that would prOVide reliable estimates of the fish population in a large impotilldment,
a munber of methods for collecting fish samples have been employed,
Some of the
more commonly used methods are seining, netting (gill, trammel, and hoop),
trapping aJaskets and boxes), trawling (a relatively new technique for freshwaters),
poisoning (rotenone and antimyacin), and electrofishing,
Coupled with the use of
each of these methods, some investigators have collected, marked, released, and
then recaptUl'ed fish in an attempt to estimate the standing crop of fish in an area
by establishing ratios between marked and unmarked fish captured by one of these
sampling methods,
82
5-1-1-a. Rotenone sampling. The most popular technique employed
in recent years has been area sampling by use of rotenone.
This method employs
the use of a block net, which sholild have a mesh no larger than 3/8 - inch, be of
sufficient depth to reach from the surface to the lowest point on the bottom around
the perimeter of the sample area, and e of sufficient length to completely sLU'round
or block an area of 2 or more acres, This net is very carefully set arolmd the
sampl.e area several hours prior to the aetual appl.lcation of the rotenone.
It is
common practice to set the block net at night since there is less disturbance of
fishes within the area and possibly more fish are in the shallow water areas during
darlmess, Care must be taken in setting the net to have the lead-line in contact with
the bottom at all points arOlmg the sample area.
It is also helpful to leave this net
in place for at least a day after rotenoning or lmtil the bloated fish are all recovered
to prevent their floating all over the lake.
To determine the quantity of rotenone required to collect fish, the volume of
water within the block net is determined.
The quantity of rotenone to apply is at
least sufficient to give a concentration of 0,05 ppm rotenone for the entire volLune
of water within the area. After the quantity of rotenone needed is measured it is mL'{ed
with several volumes of water, and the mb.ture is pumped down a perforated hose to
produce a lmiform concentration from surface to bottom throughout the sample area.
The usual application pattern is to block all four sides with a wall of rotenone and
then make diagonal crosses from corner to corner.
Sufficient potassium permanganate (2 pounds of KMn04 for each pound of 5
percent rotenone compound used) should be on hand to start neutralizing the rote83
none in waters outside the block net a few minutes after the fish begin to surface
in the sample area.
Care should be taken to apply the KMn04 a sufficient distance
from the net to prevent undue chemical damage to the rope and webbing.
For best results in recovering fish, sampling with rotenone should be done
when the water temperatlU'e within the area to be sampled is no lower than 75
degrees.
The higher the water temperature when rotenone is applied the faster
fish will react, also those fish which sink to the bottom when killed will bloat and
float much quicker allowing greater total recovery as well as more accurate weights
and measurements.
It is also imperative that an adequate crew equipped with sufficient boats, nets,
and containers be on hand when sampling starts, and that the crew remains available
for the second day pickup. A11 pickup crewmen should be made aware to pick up all
fish seen whatever species or size it might be.
In addition to the water operation of this population sampling, there must be
an adequate sorting, measuring, and weighing crew equipped with accurate measuring
boards or sorting tables, with sufficient inch-group containers for holding sorted
fish, and accurate scales for weighing the various inch-groups of each species.
Accurate identification of species, and accurate records of numbers and weights of
each inch-group of each species must be stressed.
If this method is used to sample a fish population, and great care is taken to
collect all fish from within the net area, and to record accurately all weights and
numbers of each inch-group of each species, then a reliable estimate of the fish
population within this type habitat in the reservoir may be obtained.
84
When selecting sites for rotenone sampling of fish populations it is important
that the specific areas chosen be representative of as large an area of comparable
habitat in the lake as possible. Rotenone sampling can be effective in water depths
to 20 feet, but at greater depths the dispersion of toxicants is very difficult.
Also
it must be remembered that the block net must reach from the surface to the bottom
of the sample area.
This restricts the depth of water also within the selected area.
Likewise, stumps and snags must be minimal to allow setting of the block net and
also to allow free movement of fish collecting crews throughout the sample area.
5-1-1-b. Electrofishing.
Electrofishing devices are currently
being used in sampling techniques that count or collect game, forage, or rough
species of fish in shallow water areas of rivers and impoundments.
If such equip-
ment is properly operated, and the biologists are careful in their capture and data
taking techniques, this fish sampling method results in practically no mortality to
the fish populatIon. This makes electrofishing advantageous over the rotenone
method so far as public relations are concerned.
The electrofishing gear consists of a 110 volt, 60 cycle AC generator with at
least 3,000 watt output, a control panel with variable AC or DC voltage outputs, a
heavy duty 2-pole foot-operated switch, and an electrode system that can be arranged
in various configurations to produce the desired electrical field.
The specific
electrode configuration used to sample the fish populations in Corps lakes is a rectangle, i. e. a terminal electrode was located on the outermost end of each of the
2 booms some 12 feet in front of the boat and another electrode was located on each
85
of these booms some 6 feet behind the outermost ones.
The width between the tips
of the booms was approximately 10 feet.
This electrofislung equipment was mounted on a wide beam, square bow, 16foot alumimun boat powered by a 25 h. p. outboard motor. The bow section of this
boat was covered with a square deck and fitted with a 3-foot high guard rail. When
operating, the electrodes were adjusted to be suspended about 5 feet into the water.
With the power supply operating the unit was adjusted to produce a load of approximately 800 watts within the electrode field.
Two types of sampling of the fish population were accomplished by this electrofishing operation. The biologist on the bow of the boat was equipped with a dip net
wlule the boat operator was eqUipped with a tape recorder.
As the fish surfaced
in the electrical field they were identified, counted, and recorded on tape.
Selected
sizes of all species that were affected by the electrical current were collected for
age-growth determinations, and condition of the ovaries was examined in samples
collected during spawning season.
5-1-2.
Fish population studies (Rotenone). There were three pre-impound-
mentand one post-impoundment (through 1973) rotenone samples collected from the
Coffeeville Lake area. The pre-impoundment data were collected above old Lock 1
in 1955-57.
This information is presented in Table 17. It is included in this plan to
give some idea of the fish population that originally existed in this stretch of the
Tombigbee River.
These river population data were summarized by methods proposed by Swingle
(1950) to describe the relationships and dynamics of balanced and unbalanced fish
86
Table 17.
Fish population data collected by rotenone sampling in Coffeeville Lake in 1955-1957.
Spcclus
i\bovc Lock J
Below loci,
8/2/5fi
8/1/57
\\'t. Ib5.
E
AT
Wt. Ibs.
l
;\'1'
W1. Ib....
l
.1. !J
1,0
WhHe crappIe
0.2
0.01
Blnc\. crappie
4.46
o.n
0.5
0,2
While bass
1.9
0•• 100
salt",a10l' striped bass
1.6
0.5
100
Walleye
1.0
o.a
50
bass
7 J."
!ja.9
5.%
J.!)
Rooster Bridge
Hoosler Ol'iclg-c
7/20/56
8/5/65
8/2/57
8/'2/57
:\1'
L:u'g"()ll1outh bass
~))otlod
2 .\!lo\'e Lock 2
1 Above I.ock 2
~
%.5
\\'t. Ibs.
E
t\T
0.'
0.2 100
G.G
1,3
6j. !)
2. :I
0.5
0.6
\\'t. ItJs.
O. 75
E
:\r
0.2 5:l
"'"
62.8
Wal'rnoulh
0.0'2
-
0.0
0.0
Spolled sunfish
Ol'angcspollCd sunfish
Longclll'sllUfish
BlueJ.:"11i
.26
.0.
0.0
!ted-oar
Arncric:'tll eel
E
AT
D.!>2
0.5
80
0.02
0.0
0.0
2.04
1.1
\,0
0.04
0.0
n.D
o.oa
0.0
il. 0
0.05 0.0
0.0
0.0
100
Southet'll rockbllss
00
\\'t, Ius.
0.01
0.0
0.0
.68
0.1
0.0
0.22
O. I
0.0
0.0:1
0.0
0.0
0,08
0.2
0
0,4·\
2,2
43.0
3.25
1.0
70.8
.J. 8
1.1
62.:-
H.G
1.7
2.13
1.2
7k
O.G
O. I
"'0
D.G:;
D. :1
07
0.5G
0.1
0
59. I
99
[i~.{j7
29.2
'"
'"
11.·1
D.l(j
.03
0.0
-
O.G
79.5
JO.!!
:l.!i
99. I
l. 85
IJ:lddlcflsh
\.0
o
'J
!J2
0.2
Dlue catfish
!)g.8
:13. :l
80.0
236.8
·\G.2
75.3
58.9
18.n
(iJ. 5
13·1. 0
30.9
82.0
Chanllel calfish
51.0
J 7.2
·1:3, 0
·16.9
!J.2
78..\
2~.8
9. (j
:J3.G
,18. I
11.1
47. 8
25. ·11:1
(j.5
-18
54.7']
30. :l
.1. 3
J. ,I
97.7
:H.2
(j.7
9:1.0
46. S
IS.O
9:1.4
28.0
G.·I
8G. 7
2:).12
5.8 100
0.27
0.2
U. :;'1
0.0
0.0
T
0.0
0.0
0.02
0.0
0.0
0.18
O. I
0.0
D.UG
0.0
0.0
Flalhead calfish
l\1:ldlOll1s
illoollCYC
Alab~lrnn ~hntl
L5
0.5
0.0
-
2:12.7
0.0
Table 17, cont'd.
l\bove Lock I
Uclo\\' Lock 2
"I Above Lock 2
B/2/fiG
S/1/57
8/2/57
wt, Ius.
I':
SI,ipjnck herring
G.7
2.3
Thl'cadfin shad
1.8
o.n
10.7
a. G
Species
Glzznt'd shad
Wt. lb,'1.
E
!l0.9
0.78
0.2
64.1
0.0
0,27
0.1
I.G
0.02
kl'
100
BaY:llIchovy
fl'cshwatcr drum
GG.S
22.5
Small1110uth buffalo
23.2
7.8
7:1.8
100
8.2
AT
e
\Vt. Ius.
e
0.0
0.7
o -,
100
0.0
0.0-1
0.0
100
:.l.a
0.4
90.0
0.15
0.0
0.0
I. 12
O•. J
8.
~j
0.7
0.1
D.:!
98.1
I U. 97
5. -,
85.9
17. :1
-\. 0
1).1."
J2.9
0.0
0.0
158.4
:;0.9
8G.O
'12. G
81. -I
185.9
42.8
89.·\
7:1.
Ii, ;]
\,2
1:12. !J
'\T
II. !I
100
."
100
2.2
0.5
Wt. Ius.
E:
100
2.7
1.5
18.7
00
55.'1
:10.7
80
:J.O
II
J. 07
D.G
Ion
5. <I
:\.1
100
0.5
O. :1
0.0
0.19
1.1
0.0
T
0.0
0.0
T
0.0
0.0
T
0.0
0.0
1\'1'
GO. (j
I.O!)
0.:1
0.0-'
O. I
100
T
T
i\Ioscluitofish
0.0
0.0
0.0
T
0.0
T
Fundulus sp.
0.07
0.0
0.0
0.01
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.89
0.2
0.0
Banded PYb'lny sun(jsh
-
Plrale pClL'ch
Oat'lers (Perc! Il3 sp. )
0.0
0.0
Spotted gar
I\Ll:mlic needleush
AT
0.0
Longnosc gar
00
00
~ll
Urld~c
a/5/(;5
7/20/56
1.2
Wt. Ibs.
ll.oos1cI'
Hooster Sridg:c
8!:<V57
F.
0.8
2·1.-1
I\bo\'o Lock 2
Wt. Ib,<;.
AT
Qulllbnc](
I-li);;hfln carp sucker
~~
T
0.0
0.0
T
0.0
0.0
-
0.01
0.0
0.0
U.:W
0.1
0.0
2.07
O.
(j
0.0
O.li5
0.2
0.0
0.33
0.2
0.0
Shlne!"s (Notropis sp.)
1.6
0.0
0.0
4. !)
1.0
0.0
Chubs (Hvbopsis sp.)
0.8
0.0
0.0
T
0.0
0.0
T
0.0
0.0
0.05
0.0
n.o
0.82
o'
n.o
o. JG
O. I
0.0
l'imoph:l1os sp.
0.02
0.0
0.0
0.1:\
0.0
0.0
.03
0.0
0.0
.02
0.0
0.0
0.:.3
0.0
0.0
0.07
0.0
0.0
0.02
0.0
0.0
.02
0.0
0.0
T
0.0
0.0
SilVel"Y minnow
Unidentified minnoll's
T
TOT,\ L
Ilarveslable fish
0.::; Ibs
llnrvcstable fish
0.25 Ibs
S:11l1plc includes all "Carpiodes sp."
0.0
0.0
populations. A brief summary describing the meaning of terms used in this methodology of data evaluation are given below.
Balanced populations are defined as "those capable of producing satisfactory
annual crops of harvestable fish.
They were characterized by haVing (1) a definite
range in ratio of the weights of forage and piscivorous species,
(2) a narrow range
in the ratios of weights of small forage fishes to the weights of piscivorous groups,
and (3) more than 33 percent of the total population weight in the form of fishes of
harvestable size".
The
"c" class is composed of species that feed principally upon other fish
and cannot attain normal adult life without such food.
The" F" class is composed
of all other species present in the population that feed principally upon plants,
plankton, insects, and other small aquatic invertebrates.
The
"c" value is the weight in pounds of "C" class species and the "F" value
is the weight in pounds of the "F" class species.
The ranges in F/c ratios in
balanced fish populations was from 1. 4 to 10. O.
Populations with F Ic ratios
from 1. 4 to 2.0 were overcrowded with
"c"
species. Balanced populations with
F/c raticE below 3 were inefficient due to the overcrowding of "C" species. Tllis
condition was found to reduce the total weight of the population.
The F/c ratio was a relatively stable value (in ponds), remaining almost
constant despite variations in rates of fishing for" F" and "C" species. This ratio
is useful in comparing and determining the condition of fish populations.
The "Y" value in a population is the total weight in pounds of all fishes in the
"F" class which are small enough to be readily gulped by the average-size adult
89
in the "C" class. The Y/C ratio is an expression of the food available to the "C"
class. The most desirable populations were in the range Y/C ~ 1. 0 to 3.0.
The "AT" value is the percentage of total weight of a population composed of
fish of a harvestable size.
In balanced ponds the range was from 33 to 90. The
most desirable populations had values between AT
~
60 to 85.
The "E" value of a species is the percentage of weight of a population composed
of that species.
The "1"" class and also "1"" species were subdivided into groups of "large," i. e.
fishes of harvestable size; "intermediate," those too large to be eaten by the "C"
species and too small for harvest; and "small," the fishes small enough to be eaten
by the average-sized individual in the "large" group of "C" species in the population.
The "A 1"" value is the percentage of the total weight of the "1"" class composed
of large fish.
The "IF" and "SF" values are percentages of the total weight of the
"1"" class composed respectively of the "intermediate" and "small" fishes.
An "A 1""
~
35 appeared to be the minimum value found in desirable populations
and apparently expressed the maximum allowable depletion of the adult "1"" species if
satisfactory production is to be maintained.
the range "A F "
~
60 to 80.
The most desirable populations were in
Satisfactory populations occurred in the "SF" value range
from 15 to 40.
The "A 1"", "IF'" and "SF" values were fOlmd to be dynamic values shifting with
changes due to harvest, predation and natural mortality.
Pond studies indicated that harvest of adult" 1"" species increased the pounds of
"C" species per acre and that failure to harvest the former group resulted in a decrease in the pounds of "C" species in the population.
90
Separation of various species into the various classes specified in the population
analyses outlined above are g"iven in Tahle 18.
5-1-3.
Fish population studies (Electrofishing) 1974.
The data obtained
by electrofishing in Coffeeville Lake during the summer of 1974 are summarized as the
numbers of each species of fish sighted-per-minute of shocking (Tables 19 and 20), and
as the relative condition (K n ) of the various species of fish collected (Figures 6 and 7).
In 1955-57 (see Table 17), catfish made up approximately 57 percent of the total
weight of fish sampled, with freshwater drum accOlUlting for another 32 percent, bass,
bream and crappie amounting to 3 percent, and threadfin and gizzard shad accounting
for 3 percent.
The presence of such a low poundage of shad within this population in-
dicates that slack water did not exist within the area sampled.
The information in Tables 19 and 20 on the electrofishing surveys in Coffeeville
Lake during 1974 reflects the fish population of the water habItats that were created
by Coffeeville Lock and Dam.
These data indicated that the inundated tributaries
support the major population of game fish in Coffeeville Lake.
It is evident that these two sampling techniques, which were carried out at different times and places, sampled two distinctly different fish habitats.
From information
which is currently available it can be concluded that a major portion of the original
fish population may still exist in this 96.5-mile stretch of the Tombigbee River.
5-1-4.
Comparisons of relative conditions (Kn ).
It has been suggested that
average length-weight relationships of major species of freshwater fishes be prepared
for large geographic regions, and that these averages be used as a base
91
Table 18 . Lengths (in inches) used to classify fish of different species as young, intermediate, or
harvestable, and as forage, carnivorous or other. *
Species
co
'"
Young
Fish
Paddlefish
0-12"
0- 8"
Spotted gar
Longnose gar
0-12"
Shortnose gar
0- 8"
Gizzard shad
1- 5"
Mooneyc
1- 6"
Goldfish
1- 6"
Carp
1- 8"
Carpsuckers
1- 8"
Northern hog sucker 1- 7"
Smallmouth buffalo 1- 8"
Bigmouth buffalo
1- 8"
Black bu [falo
1- 8"
Shorthead reclhorse 1- 7"
River reclhorse
1- 7"
Golden redhorse
1- 7"
1- 5"
Blue catfish
Channel catfish
1- 5"
Flath ead catfish
1- 5"
1- 6"
White bass
Intermediate
Fish
Harvestable
Fish
Forage
Fish
13-31"
9-19"
13-19"
9-19"
> 32"
l! 20"
::? 20"
~ 20"
<? 6"
<? 12"
<?.11"
<? 13"
::>. 13"
<? II"
~ 13"
~ 13"
~ 13"
<?11"
?11"
~ 11"
?10"
?10"
? 12"
~ 9"
0-12"
0- 8"
0- 8"
0- 8"
0- 8"
0- 8"
0- 8"
0- 8"
0- 8"
0- 8"
0- 8"
0- 8"
0- 8"
0-10"
0-10"
0-10"
0- 6"
7-11"
7-10"
9-12"
9-12"
8-10"
9-12"
9-12"
9-12"
8-10"
8-10"
8-10"
6- 9"
6- 9"
6-11"
7- 8"
Carnivorous
Fish
-
Other
Fish
> 12"
All Sizes
A11 Sizes
All Sizes
> 8"
-
-
-
> 8"
> 8 11
> 8"
> Sit
> 8"
> 8"
> 8"
-
> 8"
> 8 11
-
> 8"
-
> 8"
> 10"
> 10"
> 10"
> 6"
Table 18,
""'"
Species
Young
Fish
Warmouth
Bluegill
Spotted bass
Largemouth bass
White crappie
Black crappie
Saugcr
Freshwater drum
Miscellaneous
Small Fish
1- 3"
1- 3"
1- 4"
1- 4"
1- 3"
1- 3"
1- 8"
1- 5"
All
Sizes
* From "An
Intermediate
Fish
4- 5"
4- 5"
5- 8"
5- 9"
4- 7"
4- 7"
9-11"
6- 8"
-
(Cont1d).
Harvestable
Fish
> 6"
2'.. 6 1t
~
9"
~10"
>
8"
;:: 8"
~12"
:;;::, 9 t1
-
Forage
Fish
Carnivaraus
Fish
0- 5"
>
0- 5"
0- 4"
0- 4"
0- 6"
0- 6"
0- 6"
0- 6"
All
Sizes
Other
Fish
5"
> 5"
> 4 11
>
4 11
6"
> 6"
> 6"
>
-
Evaluation of Cove Sampling of Fish Populations in Douglas Heservoir, Tennessee"
in Reservoir Fishery Resources Symposium, 1967.
>
6"
Table 19. Results of electrofishing at selected sites on Coffeeville Lake, 1974.
Group
Total Sights of various
groups of fish
Average sights-per-minute
of various groups of fish
31
.34
9
.10
Bluegill
13
.14
Redear
11
.12
Sunfish
2
.02
Pickerel
1
.01
Warmouth
2
.02
Blacktail redhorse
2
.02
Carp
1
.01
Carps ucker
4
.04
Spotted sucker
1
.01
Freshwater drum
1
.01
Golden shiner
1
.01
Fundulus
4
.04
20
.22
103
1.11
Bass
White crappie
Gizzard shad
Total
94
Table 20. Results of electrofishing at selected sites on the Tombigbee River below
Coffeeville Dam.
Group
Total sigbts of various
groups of fish
Average sights-per-minute
of various groups of fis h
2
.022
Bluegill
10
.111
Crappie
1
.011
Channel catfish
5
.055
Flathead catfish
2
.022
Mullet
4
.044
Shiner
4
.044
Carpsucker
4
.044
Longnose gar
3
.033
Freshwater drum
2
.022
Carp
1
.011
Bowfin
1
.011
NeedlEfish
1
.011
Shad
21
.233
Total
61
.677
Bass
95
Largemouth bass
1.5
I
1.4
White crappie
I
1.3
I
1.2
I
1.1
I
I
,L
~ 1.0
.8
I
I
.7
I
.9
I
I
.6
.5
Bream
"
I
20
25
30
35
.
40
.
45
•
10
I
15
----------.----. - - T - -
20
25
r --
- ,
10
15
20
I
25
Total Length (mm x 10)
Figure 6.
Distributionof Kn factor for various sizes of three groups of fish collected from Coffeeville Lake in 1974.
Kn
Bass
1.6
Bream
-
I
1.5
~
1.4
-
1.3
-
I
I
1.2
-
I
1.1
-
I
-0
1.0
.9
-
I
.8
-
I
.7
-
.6
-
.5
I
I
I
I
I II
I
I
I
I .
I
I
I
,
,
,
,
10
15
20
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Total Length (mm x 10)
Distribution of Kn factor for various sizes of three groups of fish collected from the 'fombigbee River
at Jackson, Alabama in 1974.
30
Figure 7.
II
Catfish
35
40
45
5
for the determination of the relative condition factor Kn .
Such a set of average length-
weight relationships for many species of fishes from rivers, lakes, and reservoirs
in Alabama are available (W. E. Swingle and E. W. Shell, 1971), and these averages
were used to determine the Kn values of all major species of fishes collected from
Coffeeville Lake.
The data for 1974 are presented in chart form in Figure 7.
In
these data, a Kn value less than 1. 0 indicates poor condition, a value of 1. 0 indicates
average condition, and a value greater than 1. 0 indicates good condition.
The Kn data for Coffeeville Lake are limited, but are believed to be unbiased
representative (electrofishing) samples of the species present in this lake.
The
data inlicate that the general condition of the game fish sampled ranges from poor to
average within each species. In the case of basses, whose main diet is smaller fish,
there was a tendency toward equal distribution of individuals in poor to good condition
regardless of their total length.
average condition.
Crappie, on the other hand, were all less than
In the bream (sunfishes), whose chief diet is immature aquatic
insects and other macroinvertebrate forms, there was a tendency toward more individuals in poor condition than in average or good condition.
As pointed out earlier in this plan, Coffeeville Lake is considered a run-of-theriver impoundment, and as such has a limited shallow water area that is conducive to
the production of the types of food that bream will consume.
Thus, the limited num-
bers of bream sighted and captured is a reflection of the lack of suitable habitat to
produce their food supply. The largemouth and spotted basses and crappie depend
upon smaller fishes for their diet, and in Coffeeville Lake their main food supply is
gizzard and threadfin shad.
98
Again, it is stressed that this is a limited quantity of data, but they were collected from some of the more productive stretches of the lake. A notable omission
in these electrofishing data is the lack of information on commercial fish species.
5-J.
Fishing pressure.
No reliable estimates are available on the number of
fishermen, or the nmnbers of fish that were caught, for Coffeeville Lake.
Since
such information is normally obtained by creel census studies, the proposal for
obtaining such information on Coffeeville Lake will be presented in that discussion.
5-K.
Creel census data.
A creel census is in reality a method of bookkeeping
designed to determine the nmnbers and pounds of various species of fish harvested
by various methods and the effort (time and manpower) to obtain this harvest.
The
survey can be more sophisticated and determine the age and sex of fishermen, the
point of origin of the fishermen, and other facts if so desired. Inherent in the design of the census is the fact that daily and day-of-week fishing preSSLU'e, as well
as monthly fishing pressure, can be readily eA1;racted from the data.
However,
the most important information is to secure as accurate and complete record as
possible of the nunlbers and weights of each species of fish harvested from the
entire body of water and the time required to attain this harvest.
On a reservoir the size and shape of Coffeeville Lake, and with so many private
entrances, it becomes an almost impossible task to devise a reliable creel census
plan. If such a plan could be devised, the cost would be excessive based upon the
total area of this lake. While the catch per fisherman trip and the total fishing
99
pressure as well as the total catch for Coffeeville Lake would be desirable, it is not
recommended for immediate implementation as a part of this Management Plan.
100
6.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FISHERY.
The management plan presented in this section is one that, for the cost involved,
has the greatest potential for increasing fishing success in Coffeeville Lake.
It must
be emphasized that if post-operational evaluation indicates a particular part of the
plan does not provide the desired increase in fish production, this phase should be
discontinued and a different approach devised. AIso, in those cases where no economical management plan can be devised, it will be recommended that the operational
procedure remain at its present status.
6-A.
Reservoir fishery biology.
This section is a brief review of some basic
biological processes of a reservoir fishery that were considered in evaluating the
fishery condition in Coffeeville Lake, and in the preparation of the Management Plan
that will follow.
The two principal problems involved in fish production are (1) the
production of an abundant supply of fish food, and (2) the management of the fishery
for a high sustained yield of harvestable sized fish.
An analysis of any reservoir fish population is a complex problem involving an
understanding of the habitat, the food supply, the biology of each species of fish, the
relaticnships that result from all of these species living together, and the impact of
removal upon a sustained harvestable population.
Information on the types of habitats, and the potentials for fish-food production
have already been discussed in previous sections of this plan.
In summary, it can
be stated that a large portion of the bottom in Coffeeville Lake is too deep to be
utilized for macroinvertebrate (fish-food organ·sms) production.
In too large a
portion of its Sh'l low water (less than 8 feet deep) area the exposed bottom material
101
is silt that shifts with current and wave action.
On the other hand, the inflow of
nutrients is more than adequate, but water movement is too e,,1:ensive to permit
the development of heavy densities of phytoplankton in this lake.
There was no
evidence, from any recent studies, that water quality was inadequate to support
an abundance of all forms of aquatic life.
Since Coffeeville Lake is located upon a large stream that receives a great deal
of organic as well as inorganic waste products, a diversity of food sources is available which requires fishes of different feeding habits to fully utilize these resources.
The species listed in Table 13 indicates that an adequate diversity of feeder types
exists in tllis lake and tailwaters.
The presence of such scavengers as gars, carp,
catfish, and bowfins indicates the probability of a decreased rate of development of
eutrophic conditions in this lake.
Present eutrophic conditions are much less than
would occur if these scavenger species were not present.
Likewise, the presence
of a moderate number of planktonivorous shads indicates adequate utilization of
plankton and the production of an abundant forage group to support the population of
carnivorous basses, crappies, and catfishes. It has already been pointed out that
the inadequacy of suitable bottom conditions in this lake has decreased the macroinvertebrate production that has resulted in a relatively small standing crop of all
sunfishes.
6-A-1.
Factors affecting fish reproduction. The continued existence of
all fish species in Coffeeville Lake depends upon their ability to spawn in this habitat.
There are many factors that affect the reproductive success of reservoir fishes.
Some of these factors are discussed below.
102
6-A-l-a. Adequacy of spawning area.
The type of spawner, i. e.
nest builder or random, will determine whether or not adequate spawning areas
exist in the habitat.
In the case of nest builders, spawning sites are located on
firm bottom materials consisting of gravel, clay, or silt.
Sandy bottom areas are
largely unsuited for spawning since these may be shifting bottom areas.
Nest
builders also have a preference of water depth in which to locate their nest.
depth generally ranges from less than 1 foot to approximately 10 feet.
This
Random
spawners require shallow water areas where an abundance of egg-attachment
materials (brush, grasses, and weeds) exist.
6-A-l-b.
Water fluctuation.
Drawdowns during spawning may destroy
a few or all nests or eggs of random spawners. Rising water prior to spawning can
dilute the repressive factor and induce basses, carp and buffalo to produce heavier
spawns.
6-A-l-c.
Water temperature.
The 6-inch water depth temperatures
at which various species spawn are shown in Table 21.
The spawning success of
early spawners such as crappies and basses may be adversely affected by unusual
water temperature fluctuations.
6-A-l-d.
Silt-laden waters.
Waters heavily laden with silt are
favorable for spawning of sunfishes and basses.
Ull-
Sunfishes in general are more
tolerant to silt than are basses, while bullhead catfish apparently suffer no ill
effects from silt. Random spawners, such as shads, carp, pickerel, and buffalo,
103
Table 21, Reproductive characteristics of various species of fresh-water fish.
Species
Txpe Spawner
Largemouth bass
nest builder
singular
Smallmouth bass
neat builder
Min. Sp3\\'lling
Size, in.
,
T\'pc Egg
No. Spawn
Fry
Per Year
Schooling
Min. Hatching
Temperature. ~.
sinking
arihcsh'e
8-10
sinking
1
+
70
+
70
+
5'
adhesive
White bass
nest builder
10
sinking
adhesive
Eastern pickerel
random
15
seml-buoynnt
Sauger
random
12
adhesive
43
Black crappie
colony or single
nest wilder
7
sinking
68
White crappie
colony or single
ncsl builder
7
sinking
adhesive
Bluegill
colony
3
sinking
adhesive
neal builder
Redenr
55-GO
1
68
2-3
80
3
75
2-3
71
adhesive
colony
ncst bu ilder
3
colony
nest builder
3
Round flier
nest builder
3
heav1'
adhesh'c
60-65
Warmouth
nest builder
3
adhesive
80
GrCL'll sunfish
colony
Ilest builder
3
adhesivo
3
68-70
Longcnr
colony
nest builder
3
adhesive
2
71-73
Channel catfish
nest builder
10.5
heavy
adhesive
Speckled bullhead
nest builder
9
adhesive
Golden shiner
random
5
adhesivo
Dufralo
random
15
Gizzard shad
rnndom
5
adhcEivo
3
+
G8
Threadfio shad
random
3
adllcsive
3
+
70
Redbreast
sinking
adhesh'c
sinking
adhesive
74
3
+
80
+
68
60
sinking
104
whose eggs may be attached to twigs, leaves of grasses, etc., are less susceptible
to silt damage than are the bottom spawners. An often overlooked
but potential
siltation hazard is produced by wind-driven currents that cause suspension of shallow water silts and clays.
6-A-1-e. Repressive factor.
This is a self-inflicted type of birth
control first observed in goldfish, carp, and buffalo populations.
Basses and
sunfishes are thought to secrete a repressive factor which limits the extent of their
own reproduction.
6-A-1-f.
of fish will not spawn.
given in Table 21.
Size of brood fish.
There is a size below which each species
The minimum sizes of spawning fish of various species are
Sunfishes that are growing rapidly may spawn at a smaller size
than slower growing individuals.
6-A-1-g.
Food availability during period of eg'g formation.
Availability
of food during the period of egg formation and maturation within the female fish
will influence the number of young fish produced per female.
Thus, heavy repro-
duction of a species indicates rapid growth of brood fish; light reproduction, slow
growth; and no reproduction, no growth or even loss of weight by brood fish.
Some species such as sunfishes and shads can mature eggs within a few weeks
and spawn two or more times during a summer.
Other species such as basses,
pickerels, carp, catfishes, and buffalo require several months for egg formation.
105
Thus, in these latter species reproductive success is influenced by conditions that
existed during- fall, winter, and early spring-.
6-A-l-h.
Crowding.
Since crowding- results in less food per individ-
ual, it results in smaller sized brood fish and slower g-rowth.
Crowding may result
from too many individuals of the same species and/or of competing species. The
result of overcrowding- is reduced or no reproduction.
6-A-l-i. Egg-eating habit.
Under conditions of crowding, sunfishes
have been fOlmd to eat eggs of their own and other species. ""hen confined to sunfishes and competing and undesirable species, this may be considered a beneficial
type of birth control. However, when it is extended and includes the eating of bass
eggs, it is extremely detrimental for it causes unbalanced populations.
6-A-l-j. Reproductive success of prey upon which predators feed
after reaching fingerling stage.
Since some predatory species require fish as prey
to produce normal growth, it is necessary that successful prey species reproduction
has occurred.
6-A-l-k.
strength of predation upon young predator species.
The
young predatory species are not exempt from the same predation that exists for the
yOlmg of other species.
Among bass, the greatest predation probably occurs when
large individuals of a school start feeding on their own brothers and sisters or on
the yOlmg from a neighboring nest.
Since young bass largely eliminate their own
nest mates, the operation of bass nursery ponds on reservoirs is of dubious value.
106
6-A-2.
Predator - prey relationships.
The rate and efficiency of predation
within a fish population are dependent upon a number of biological and physical factors.
Notable among the biological factors are the schooling habits of the various
fish species.
Largemouth bass fry, for example, are vulnerable to all larger bass
and crappie.
Since fry move about in a large school for several days after leaving
the nest they are easy prey and most bass fry are eaten by larger fish before the
school breaks up.
Carp eggs, fry, and fingerlings appear to be e,,"tremely vulnerable to bass predation.
This species cannot be classified as a true schooling species, but the fry
and young fingerlings seem to congregate into groups which make them easy prey
for predators.
Small shad also congregate into schools arolmd which predators
generally lurk.
When most sunfish fry leave the nest they disperse more or less at random into
shallow water areas. A chief factor in the survival of large numbers of these species
is the quantity of available cover in which these small fish can hide from predators.
Filamentous algae and rooted aquatic weeds, if present in sufficient quantities in
shallow edges, provide excellent hiding places for many small fishes.
Thus, weed
control is an essential factor in establishing a healthy predator-prey relationship in
a reservoir".
The predatory species ("C" class) have been described as those piscivors
which consume any fish they can capture that is small enough to be swallowed at a
gulp. This suggests that a relationship exists between the size of the predator
and its prey. By research it was established that the mouth width measurement
107
of the predator species is equivalent to the mfL'{imum depth of body measurement
of the forage species that it can swallow.
Since mouth width and mfL'{imum depth
of body are related to total length of body, this relationship is generally expres sed
as the total length of e forage species a bass of a given total length can swallow,
and is given in Table 22. This chart indicates that largemouth bass can start on a
fish diet at a very early age.
These relationships on mouth width of predators to depth of body of forage
species have been established for largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted basses, and
eastern pickerel as predators, and for bluegills, red-ear, goldfish, golden shiner,
and gizzard shad as forage species.
If is believed that the same type relationship
exists between mouth widths of crappies and catfishes and sizes of forage fish they
can gulp, but to date these have not been determined.
The presence of an adequate number of predators (piscivorous species) within
a fish population is essential if the forage species are to be thinned to the extent that
a sustained maximum harvestable crop of fish is to be produced.
The chief predators
for reservoirs in this area include the basses, the larger catfish, the pickerel, and
to a limited extent the crappies.
UnfortLmately, out knowledge of the activities of the
larger catfishes is much more limited than it is for the other three species.
Since
the species dynamics of any reservoir fish population is dependent upon the predatorprey
(Fie ratio) relationship, a discussion presented by SWingle and Swingle, (1967)
concerning problems encolmtered with largemouth bass and crappie predation is
summarized below.
108
Table 22.
Ma-'l:imum sizes of forage fishes largemouth bass of a given inch-group can swallow.
Bass
Total length of forage fish
Total Length
InchGroup
mm
....
0
'"'
1
.2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
38
64
89
114
140
165
191
216
241
267
292
318
343
368
394
419
445
470
495
521
546
572
597
Bass
111111
24
34
44
54
68
82
96
120
132
145
158
169
183
196
229
249
263
278
292
298
342
355
369
Bluegill
m111
36
40
45
52
58
65
73
81
89
97
104
113
121
129
145
157
169
185
193
208
223
-
Redeal'
111m
26
32
37
46
54
62
72
81
91
100
108
119
129
139
159
173
188
202
-
-
Green
sunfish
111m
36
41
46
54
61
69
78
87
94
104
113
122
131
141
159
172
186
199
212
229
-
Golden
shiner
mm
45
52
60
72
82
93
106
119
132
145
156
170
183
197
224
243
262
281
301
-
Goldfish
mm
40
45
50
58
65
72
81
89
98
106
114
124
133
142
159
172
185
198
-
-
Gizz",-rd
s11ad
111m
Thread fin
Shad
mm
39
45
52
62
72
81
93
104
115
126
136
149
160
172
195
212
230
246
263
284
305
327
28
36
43
56
69
79
91
102
117
130
140
155
170
Largemouth bass are efficient predators upon small fishes and are the most
highly prized of the sport fishes taken from reservoirs throughout the South.
This
species spawns in shallow water in the spring and the young fry migrate into shallow
water and feed upon zooplankton, for which they must compete with all other small
fish in the same enviromnent.
From the size of I-inch on, they may feed upon mix-
htres of zooplankton, insects, and small fish depending upon their relative availability.
Examination of rotenone samples indicate that growth of largemouth bass was
relatively slow during its first summer, and that there may be from 0 to more than
100 individuals per acre in various impoundments.
Since these small bass remain
largely in marginal waters it is the relative abundance of small fishes in these areas
that regulates their growth and affects survival.
Small gizzard shad are seldom
found ablmdantly in these areas making the bass principally dependent upon fry and
small fingerlings of mi1l1lows and the periodically spawning sunfishes during their
first growing season. By the time they are sufficiently large to migrate toward
deeper waters, few gizzard shad-of-the-year are small enough to serve them as
food.
Those sltrviving" over-winter are able to feed upon newly hatched shad by
following schools over pelagic areas only at the expense of exposing themselves to
greater dangers of predation by large predators.
If the shad species is gizzard shad
by mid-summer to late summer again few are small enough to serve as food for the
I-year bass.
In both ponds and large reservoirs, the presence of gizzard shad as the
principal forage fish results in two groups of bass: (1) the young O-to-II-year groups
which must grow slowly, with correspondingly high losses from predation and other
types of natural mortality; and (2) the rapidly-growing bass which have become large
110
enough to follow schools of shad over pelagic areas.
These latter bass have mouth
widths large enough to allow them to feed year-round upon larger shad.
Unforttmately, no adequate detailed studies have been made in impoundments
upon the food-chains of small bass and factors affecting their growth and survival
to larger inch-groups.
Until more is Imown of the importance of many of the sup-
posedly minor species to bass growth and survival, it is impossible to develop plans
for improving conditions and removing one of the bottlenecks in converting a reasonable percentage of the shad crop into bass.
The two species of crappies appear to present similar problems in ponds and
large reservoirs.
Their principal characteristic is the cyclic nature of their
abundance. A strong year-class recurs periodically, at intervals of every 3 to 5
years.
gJ.'owill\·.
Age groups I and II of a strong year-class are typically crowded and slow
During this period, few young-of-the-year crappies survive, or there
may be no reproduction.
This is not because of the size of the crappie, as even
well-fed 2-ounce crappie are capable of spawning, but is due to crowding within
the species.
Crowding may prevent egg formation or the fry-eating habits may
prevent survival of a year-class.
As the strong year-class passes from I to III or IV, gradual reduction in
mUll-
bel'S from fishing and natural mortality results in gradual increase in size, and
heavy reproduction again occurs.
Investigations in ponds have indicated that tendencies to periodic overcrowding
were due to the fact that crappie normally spawn earlier (68 0 F) than, or approxi-
111
mately at the same time as largemouth bass, which typically spawn at 70 0 F.
Young
crappie after hatching, spend a few days or weeks in shallow waters and then migrate into deeper waters.
Early spawning by crappie and migration into deep waters
combine to make young-of-the-year bass poor predators upon O-age crappie. In
bluegill-bass-crappie ponds, it is the many age class I bass that are the principal
predators upon O-class crappies.
These basses are the gauntlet through which the
O-age crappies must successfully pass to establish a strong I age-class.
quently,
Conse-
it was found in ponds that despite heavy crappie reproduction, a cyclic
pattern of crappie ablmdance did not occur in populations in years where strong
I age-class bass occurred.
strong I age-class of crappie developed the subsequent year after there was
heavy reproduction by crappie during a year when few or no I age-class bass were
present.
Larger bass apparently preferred larger sized fishes and allowed survival
of too many small crappie.
Once the strong I age-class of crappie developed,
numbers of yOllllg-of-the-year bass declined, probably because of predation by
crappie on bass fry.
In state-owned public fishing lakes, once this cycle started,
it was repeated within 4 to 5 years.
It was always evident from seining samples
taken in June when another cycle was starting. This was evidenced by averages of
10 to 30 or more crappie fingerlings per 15-foot seine haul, with no age I bass
taken by the 50-foot seine and very few caught by the fishermen.
In balanced populations, it is of interest that low numbers of age I bass follow
principally years with abnormally high milllbers of age I bass.
112
Seining records on
experimental ponds have demonstrated that in such years older bass reproduced,
but age I bass allowed very few or none to survive beyond the schooling stage.
Unforttmately, the rotenone samples taken in large impoundments were useless
in studying this yOlmg' bass-crappie problem.
Most rotenone samples were taken
from July to September and by this time practically all sizes of crappie had migrated
to deeper waters. If rotenone samples were taken also during the spawning period
of crappie, while most were in shallow water, a more useful census would result.
Possibly periodic seining during spring to mid-sunmler would provide a census of
the O-class and its survival. Trapping, creel census, and relative condition data
can yield information on frequency and length of cycles. Crappies are not undesirable
species in either ponds or large reservoirs; biologists just do not yet have technique s for their management .
6-B.
R~sume' of factors affecting fish production
in reservoirs.
1. The latitude and altitude of both the drainage area and the
reservoir determine the temperature of the lake water and
the species of fish it may support.
2.
The shape, size, and geographic location of its drainage
area determine in large part the quantity of waters flowing
into a reservoir.
3. The type of soil, and its management, on the drainage area
determines the sediment load borne by inflowing waters.
-~
113
4. The types of soils and agTicultural practices employed on the
watershed determine the natural nutrient concentrations in
inflowing waters.
5.
The quantities of domestic and industrial effluents released
into tributaries to the reservoir augment the flow of nutrients
into the reservoir environment.
6. The inflow - storage - output ratios of nutrients in a reservoir
determine the trophic levels that are mainta ined.
7.
The storage of nutrients in bottom soils of reservoirs is
dependent upon water depth, flooding, and level of release
of discharge waters.
8.
The conversion of nutrients into phytoplankton will retard
development of macrophytes in shallow water areas of reservoirs, whereas the conversion of nutrients into macrophytes
will inhibit the development of phytoplankton in a reservoir.
9. The presence of macrophytes will act as precipitators of silt
resulting in more rapid clearing of water, but this process
may result in elimination of shallow marginal areas in the
reservoir.
10.
The maximum food production in a reservoir is attained when
a moderate quantity of the available nutrients are converted
into phytoplankton.
Conversion of nutrients into large amOlmts
of phytoplankton produce unfavorable habitat conditions.
114
11.
The type of bottom in the euphotic zone of a reservoir may
determine in large measure the percentage of phytoplankton
converted into macroinvertebrates that serve as food for fish.
12. The presence of other substrate materials, such as brush and
rooted aquatic plants, increase attachment sites for macro invertebrate production.
13. To efficiently utilize all forms of food available within a reservoir, the population of fish must include species whose feeding
habits are adapted to utilize these varied food sources.
14. The population of fish within the reservoir is composed of those
species present within the impOlUlded portion of the stream at
the time the dam was closed. If other species are considered
desirable or necessary in the reservoir fish population they
should have been stocked when the dam was closed and allowed
to expand with the native fish.
15. There must be an adequacy of spawning areas in the reservoir
to provide for annual recruitment to the fish population.
16. A predator-prey relationship must be established and maintained that is capable of reducing the total numbers of fishes to
a level of maximum sustained harvestable-sized sport and commercial species.
115
17. An excessive quantity of macrophytes can provide too much
protection for small fishes from predators and result in an
over-crowded and stlmted fish population.
18. There must be an adequate annual harvest by fishermen to
remove a high percentage of the harvestable-sized sport and
commercial species. This will permit adequate reproduction
and the maximum rate of growth among; the recruitments to
the population.
19. An abundance of large, trophy-sized bass or other species
taxes the available food supply and results in a decreased
total standing crop and fewer harvestable sized fish.
20.
Inadequate removal of harvestable-sized fish results in an
abundance of older individuals that are more susceptible to
parasite and disease attacks.
21.
Parasite and disease infections are higher among species with
schooling habits. Also, incidences of infection are greater
during spawning periods when many individuals are crowded
into smaller areas than at other periods of the year and antibody production is at its lowest leveL
6-C. Information
VB.
action.
It is evident from the preceeding discussions
that all prior data gathered on Coffeeville Lake may be classified as information,
and practically no use has been made of this information for either the promotion
116
or management of the fishery for a greater sustained yield of harvestable sized
fishes.
The time has long since passed for utilization of the available information on
water quality, aquatic weed control, and fish population data that applies to Coffeeville Lake, and to collect the needed data to completely evaluate and manage this
fishery.
The most pressing need for information at present is a reliable estimate of the
quantities (numbers and weights) of both sport and commercial species of fishes
harvested by fishermen from this lake. This information can only be obtained by
an organized creel census conducted for a sufficient period (at least 2 years) to
provide reliable information.
It is suggested that when such a creel censLls is
conducted that it be in accordance with the procedLUoes described by the Southern
Division of American Fisheries Society.
6-C-1.
Public relations.
This phase of the Fishery Management Plan
might be considered as the equivalent of customer service in a large corporation.
Its purpose is to provide fishermen with such information as the kinds and habits of
fish inhabiting Coffeeville Lake; the most successful method to employ to catch
these fish; the (current) areas where fishing for various species has been most
sLlccessful; bottom contoLUo maps to indicate depth to fish; and weekly dissolved
oxygen concentration and temperature profiles for the lake.
Tills information on fishery biology is an integral part of the training of any
fisheries biologist. The dissemination of this information to civic groups, conser-
117
vation and wildlife groups, and school children could be most helpful to the public
to better understand problems of fish production as well as in their harvest of fish.
These presentations could be timely and include fishing teclmiques for those species
currently being harvested.
The information on current "hot fishing holes" could be disseminated weekly
along with water temperature and dissolved oxygen concentration data.
This type
information could be displayed on bottom contour maps along with the best depth at
which to place the bait.
6-C-2.
Fishing access. The various points of access for boat fishermen
on Coffeeville Lake are presently adequate to allow most areas to be within a 20 to
30 minute run from a concrete ramp.
In a limited number of places one may have
to drive many miles and cross the lake to reach an access point.
It is felt that the
present number of points for boat fishermen are sufficient for present fishing pressure.
A few ramps need to be widened to premit two vehicles to be launching or
retrieving boats at the same time to better accommodate the occasional large crowds.
Bank fishermen, on the other hand, have had no special facility consideration
to date.
They have simply had to be content witb existing bank conditions regardless
of their proximity to favorable fishing grolmds. it is suggested that this aspect of
reservoir fishing could be improved in limited area by construction of fishing piers
or dikes into favorable shallow water areas.
Such structures might lend themselves
as barriers that would permit the fertilization or baiting of embayments for special
groups such as handicapped or lmderprivileged children.
118
In the tailwater areas immediately below Coffeeville Dam the construction of a
fishing walkway on the west bank would permit a greater number of people a safer
access to this fast water fishing area.
Such a walkway could be usod in that area
which is currently closed to boat fishing by a chained buoy line. This is a minor
cost item that could greatly increase tailwater fishing access from a relatively
safe platform.
6-C-3.
Fishing intensity.
It was stated in the introduction that the pri-
mary purpose of tllis fishery management plan was to prOVide the greatest sustained
yield of harvestable sized fish based upon its basic fertility. Attaining this yield
requires a sustained fishing preSSLU"e particularly dLU"ing those periods when certain
species are in the shallow water areas or are on their beds.
The publicity of this
information is one approach to acquiring intense fishing pressure.
However, to
sustain this fishing pressure requires that a majority of these fishermen catch fish.
6-C-4.
Creel limits.
It is contended that the present high creel limits are
a factcr that determines the relative fishing success of a majority of fishermen.
It
is well known that the consistent fisherman knows where and when to fish, and when
he locates a bed or area where fish have congregated that he will remove one or more
full limits on several consecutive days. This procedure does remove large numbers
of fish, but it does not prOVide catches for the vast majority of fishermen.
A lowering
of limits would tend to promote a greater spread of catches to more fishermen.
Tllis
should result in a greater stimulus to a wider fishing clientele which should be the
philosophy for any public waters that are operated from general public funds.
119
The harvest of adequate numbers of commercial species, especially the catfishes and carp, from Coffeeville Lake has been rather sporadic and in a large sense
restricted.
Unfortunately, no data are available on harvest of either commercial
or game species to indicate how adequately the present fish crop is being utilized,
but it is suspected that less than 50 percent of the annual crop of all catchable groups
is being harvested.
Since it requires approximately as much food to maintain a
pound of fish as is required to produce a pound of fish, the harvest of commercial
species should be encouraged to release some of the pressure upon the food supply
of game species. By proper selection of fishing gear, the probability of catching
game fish by commercial techniques is considerably lessened. However, if our
assumptions on game fish harvest are reliable, then the removal of a limited number of game species by commercial gear could only result in an improvement of
the entire fish population.
6-C-5.
Evaluation of fishery management changes.
The operation of a
concurrent creel census on game and commercial fishing would be the only way
to accurately evaluate most of these proposed changes in regulations as regards
their influence upon the total fish harvest of Coffeeville Lake.
However, as pointed
out earlie.' in this Plan, current implementation of a creel census on Coffeeville Lake
is not recommended since it would be very costly to operate.
6-C-6.
Fishing tournaments and rodeos.
Another factor in adequately
harvesting the game fish population of this lake to sustain a maximum harvestable
crop is the operation of bass tournaments and fishing rodeos. As mentioned pre-
120
viously it requires about the same amolmt of fish food to maintain a pound of fish
as it takes to produce a pound of fish.
For example, it requires about 4 pounds of
fish to produce a pound of bass within one year.
It will require an additional 4
pOlUlds of fish to maintain this one pOlUld of bass through its second year of life,
plus 4 more pOlUlds of fish if it gains another pound in weight.
Thus by the time
a fish is 2 years old and weighs 2 pounds he will hawe consumed 12 pounds of fish
(enough food to have grown three one-pound bass in one year).
If a bass lives to be
6 years old and weighs 6 pOlmds at the end of that period, it will have consumed
more than 80 POlUlds of fish during that period (enough to have produced 20 onepound bass during these six years).
Fisheries management technology has not advanced to such a stage that it can
provide means to produce these greater numbers of smaller bass in preference to
the one larger fish in larger impoundments, and it is not known that if such a technique were available if it would result in a balanced fish population in such impoundments.
These facts were pointed out to indicate that the removal of trophy-sized
basses by tournaments and rodeos can have a beneficial effect upon a reservoir's
overall fish population in the release of pressure upon the available food supply.
This results in a brief stimulation of growth among basses and possibly crappies.
In any impoundment inhabited by gizzard shad, it is necessary that the population of basses consists of individuals of all sizes from yOlU1g-of-the-year to old
grandads. As mentioned earlier, larger basses seemingly prefer near maximLUll
sized forage fishes that they are capable of swallowing; thus these "lunker-sized"
basses are a necessity to control the numbers of gizzard shad and other forage fishes.
121
Their occasional removal only allows a slig-htly smaller bass a more abundant food
supply and an oportunity to reach the "lunker" category.
Tournaments and rodeos
have thus far only encouraged the growing-up of smaller basses. 1f tournament
activity is too extensive (in size and frequency) it could eventually result in a gradual decrease in sizes of larger basses, but it is doubtful that this point has been
approached in thls lake.
Thus, from the fish manager's standpoint, a limited nllln-
ber of moderate-sized tournaments and rodeos would be considered a desirable
means of harvesting a segment of the fish population that is taxing- the available food
supply.
122
7.
Coordination with Other Agencies
The establislunent of a fishery habitat by the impoundment of Coffeeville Lake
created a problem of managing this public resource..
By custom, it has been assumed
that the fishes living in this body of water belong to the state until they are caught
and removed at which time they become the property of the fishermen.
States have
been resistant to assume the management of these federally financed projects on
the grounds that no State revenues are derived from such installations whereas private utilities do pay taxes on their impoundment holdings. There is no likelihood that
this attitude wi II change in the immediate future.
States do ins ist however, that the
fishery created by these federal impoundments is still their responsibility. This
Plan assures the State of the continued role as principal participant iu the management of fisheries within its jurisdiction.
7-A.
Personnel and funding. In light of the above sltuation, it must be assumed
that the Corps of Engineers has a responsibility to the public, who financed these
projects, to provide the financial means for their management. The procedures for
solving all management problems are details beyond the scope of this Plan.
However,
it is felt that the Plan can include some suggested methods for their initial enactment.
The Corps of Engineers should employ a skeleton staff of professional fisheries
management personnel to act as liaison between themselves and the State fisheries
biologists.
These Biologists should be provided with adequate li.lllding· for each
reservoir under their jurisdiction to provide for collection of essential data and
conduction of public relation and other managerial aspects of each reservoir's fishery.
123
Warrior Lake, Holt Lake, Demopolis Lake, Coffeeville Lake, and Okatibbee
Lake could all share a fisheries biologist who would coordinate the fisheries management activities of the Corps of Engineers and the state of Alabama.
Various parts
of the fisheries program then could be contracted to the Fisheries Divisions of the
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, to state universities
or conducted in-house.
Such an arrangement should be designed to encourage state
participation in the plan, and in-house implemention would be used as a last resort.
The role of state universities in this management plan would be restricted to research activities in relation to specific biological or management problems.
The fisheries biologist should be adequately trained in fisheries biology and
management and have an M. S. degree.
The suggested rating would be a G. S. 9 or
11 in order to attract qualified persons.
The flIDding provided by the Corps of Engi-
neers for implementation and continuing the management plan of vVarrior Lake could
be based upon fisherman usage estimates, and could be as high as $0.05 per fisherman visit.
This figure would provide adequate monies to conduct a good creel census
and to start some of the other activities set forth in this plan if the Corps and state
biologists deem a creel census is needed.
7-B.
Cost-benefit projections.
It is impossible to place a value upon the
benefit derived by an individual for one fisherman visit to Coffeeville Lake.
Cer-
tainly the value would be several times the $0.05 cost per fisherman visit indicated
above.
In addition, for each fisherman visit, it is estimated that he placed into the
local economy (spent) well in excess of $1. 00 to make this visit.
Thus, the cost-
benefit ratio could conceivably range from 1: 25 to more than 1: 1, 000.
124
Equipment for biologist.
7-C.
The fishery management biologist must be
provided with certain specialized equipment if he is to be efficient and effective in
providing technical assistance that will result in a higher sustained yield of fish on
the stringer. The following items are basic to this biologist being self-sufficient
over the wide territory that he must keep under continuous surveillancl".
L
Pickup truck equipped with a lockable body cover.
2.
16' fiberglass boat (Boston Whaler type).
3.
65 or 85 h. p. outboard motor with at least an 18 gallon gas tank.
4.
Heavy duty boat trailer.
5.
Corps communication radios in both truck and boat.
6.
state communication radio in truck.
7.
Water sampling equipment to include:
a. Dissolved oxygen-temperature meter with at least 50-foot lead or
probe.
b. Water sampling bottle capable of collecting water sample at any depth.
8.
9.
c.
Ice chest with quart size Nalgene plastic sample bottles.
d.
Secchi disc.
Fish sampling equipment including
a.
25' x 4' one-fourth inch mesh seine.
b.
Dip net with one-fourth inch mesh bag.
c.
Ice chest with plastic sample bags.
35 mm camera.
a.
Color film for slides
b.
Black and white film for news releases.
125
7-D.
Job description - Fisheries Management Biologist.
The qualifications
and duties listed below are minimum requirements for a Corps of Engineers Fisheries
Management Biologist.
Degree: M. S. in Fisheries Management.
Training to include:
1.
Warm-water fisheries biology.
2.
Management of large impoundment warm-water fisheries.
3.
Fish disease and parasites.
4.
Water quality in relation to fish production.
5.
Aquatic plant identification and control.
6.
Fish identification.
7.
Statistics.
8.
Public speaking.
9.
Journalism.
Duties:
1.
Thorough knowledge of the fishery habitats within each Lake for
which he is responsible.
2.
Knowledge of the sm'rounding drainage area, especially the sources
of domestic, industrial, and agricultural pollution.
3.
Knowledge of current sport fishing success on each lake including
most productive areas.
Share information with public through news
releases, radio, T. V. and Lake bulletins.
4.
Knowledge of commercial fishing on each lake including number of
fishermen, type of gear used, and kinds and amounts of fish harvested.
126
5.
Maintain surveillance for fish kills and determine cause(s). Report to
appropriate state agency.
6.
Current knowledge (at all times) of water quality conditions throughout
each lake.
Share information with public through news releases, radio,
T. V., and posted information on lake.
7.
Maintain surveillance on aquatic plant (including phytoplankton) populations and determine when and where control measures should be
employed.
8.
Cooperate with state fisheries biologists on all above-mentioned duties
so that both may better inform the public about the fishery within each
lake.
9.
Promote fishing interest through news releases, public appearances
at clubs and civic groups, and by personal contacts on lakes.
10.
Identify, help develop, coordinate and participate (to be informed) in
any contractural management or research plan that may be in effect on
each lake.
11.
Actively participate in local, state, and regional fisheries organizations
to inform and be informed on current management practices.
12.
Coordinate and encourage participation of each Resource Manager and
other Corps personnel on each lake project in collecting and dis seminating information relative to that lake's fishery.
Note - This biologist could be most effective if he did not have citation authority. In
this way he can contact persons with valuable information, but who are noncommunicative with law enforcement personnel.
127
7-E. Budget.
The personnel required to implement this Fisheries Management
Plan consists of a District Fisheries Biologist and a Project Fisheries Biologist.
This Project Fisheries Biologist would be shared by Coffeeville Lake (20 percent),
Demopolis Lake (30 percent),
Warrior Lake (20 percent), Holt Lake (20 percent),
and Okatibbee Lake (10 percent).
The work basis for Coffeeville Lake will be as
follows:
Project Fisheries Biologist, GS-9, 20 percent, 52 days
Estimated annual cost is as follows:
a.
Personnel
Fisheries Biologist (GS-9) ($13, 791 + 32%) x .20
$
3,641
Contingencies (15 percent)
546
Supervision and Administration (15 percent)
546
b.
Equipment ($12,500 x .04*)
500
c.
Operating expenses
1,200
Subtotal
d.
6,433
Management Practices
Fishing piers, creel census, weed control,
population studies, etc.
Total Cost
(268,000 x $0.0613 per user day)
Total Benefits (268,000 x $1. 00 per user day)
*Equipment costs prorated over 5 year period.
**Due to limited use by fishermen the cost per fisherman visit
is greater than amount suggested in body of Plan.
128
10,000
16,433
268,000
8.
Research Needs for River and Impoundment Management.
Improved techniques for evaluating the present and future fish populations in
rivers and impoundments are urgently needed by State and Federal regulatory
agencies and by industries that are required to biologically monitor the effects of
their wastes.
Equally important, we need to utilize, at the optimum level, the
productive capacity of our natural surface waters.
Title: Improvement and Evaluation of Fish Sampling Techniques for Use on Rivers
and Impoundments.
Situation: One of the major problems confronting management of fisheries in rivers
and impolmdments is the inadequacy of available techniques to sample all facets
of the resident fish population. This is a distinct handicap to fisheries biologists
who are attempting to improve sport and commercial fish production.
Equally
important is the fact that it is virtually impossible for biologists to evaluate
either detrimental or beneficial effects of waste or heated-water effluents upon
fim production in rivers and impoundments.
Objective:
1.
To devise a sampling system that provides total recovery of the standing
crop of fishes in a given area.
2.
To develop new sampling techniques that will permit the attainment of the
first objective.
129
3.
To evaluate the efficiency of individual sampling techniques to estimate a
portion or all of the standing crop under various types of habitats.
Title:
Factors Affecting Food Chain Development in Rivers and Impoundments.
Situation: The availability of food is the chief factor involved in fish production in
rivers and impoundments. Since the majority of fish foods are produced within
an aquatic environment, their degree of abundance is not nearly so obvious as
it is with terrestrial forms.
In addition, the characteristics of the aquatic
habitats are not so obvious as they generally are on land. Most life history
studies of aquatic forms have been conducted singly and little effort has been
devoted to integrated food chain production studies.
Thus, the various factors
which may have the greatest influence upon the food chain for various species
of game and commercial fish are little known or understood.
Only through a
better understanding of food chain relationships can fish production in many
waters be managed or improved.
Objective:
1.
To devise sampling techniques capable of collecting representative forms
of all major food groups for fresh water fishes.
2.
To more fully understand the general life-cycle of each group of organisms
that are components of the food chain for fish.
3.
To identify the physical and chemical factors that are beneficial and harmfUl to all component organisms in the food chain.
130
4.
Evaluate the gain or loss in efficiency of conversion for food chains of
varying complexity.
Title: Optimum Nutrient Loading for Maximum Fish Production in Rivers and
Impoundments.
Situation: Plant nutrients, mainly N, P, and C, are generally the limiting factors
in the production of adequate food to attain the maximum natural production of
fish in rivers and impoundments.
Several other chemical and physical factors
seemingly influence the quantity of plant nutrient necessary for optimum fish
production in a given aquatic habitat.
Experience in farm fish ponds has shown
that the combination of factors are almost as variable as the number of ponds
that have been studied, but there appeared to be average values for the components of the combinations that tend to optimize fish production.
It is believed
that similar sets of combinations exist to optimize fish production in rivers
and impOlmdments.
Objective:
L
Correlate rate of nutrient flow with the standing ()rop of fish in rivers and
impoundments.
2.
Compare fish production in impoundments resulting from agricultural and
non-agricultural nutrient sources.
Title:
Optimum Harvest Rate for Various Trophic Levels in Rivers and Impolmdments.
131
Situation:
It has been shown in pond research that individuals comprising a fish
population do not grow unless a sufficient UlU1mer of the larger individuals
are harvested and the pressure on the food supply relieved to allow smaller
individuals to attain harvestable size.
This rate of harvest was found to be
proportional to the available food supply. In rivers and impolmdments the
rates of harvest of sport and commercial species are generally unknown. The
same can be stated concerning the trophic levels of these same environments.
The LU'gent need is to accumulate sufficient information to correlate optimum
harvest rates with nutrient input of the various streams and impoundments
throughout the Southeast.
Objective:
1.
To determine the optimum rate of harvest of fish from rivers and impolmdments with different rates of nutrient flow.
132
9. Synopsis
CoffEeville Lake, with a surface area of 8,500 acres, a length of 96. 5 miles
on the Tombigbee River, an average depth of 23 feet, and a drainage area of
19,000 square miles, is a run-of-the-river navigation impoundment which at normal
pool elevation of 32.5 feet msl was retained largely within the banks of the river
and tributary stream channels. The Lake is subject to excessive flood waters one
or more times each winter and spring.
unregulated Tombigbee watershed.
The major flooding often results from the
The degree of turbidity associated with these
flood waters is dependent upon the severity of the flood producing storms.
The quality of inflowing waters into Coffeeville Lake at Demopolis Dam have
recovered sufficiently from upstream pollution to meet Alabama's standards so
far as dissolved oxygen concentrations are concerned. The extreme variations in
flow tint have previously been experienced at Demopolis Dam are partially alleviated
by stream flow regulation affected by Lewis Smith Dam.
FLU·ther regulation will
be possible once the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway structures on the Upper Tombigbee River are completed.
At Tombigbee River mile 205.2, the Gulf state Paper Company plant has, in the
past, released excessive paper making wastes into the river. This has resulted in
one or more rather extensive fish kills.
Tllis waste is currently collected, held,
and treated to such an extent that it meets Alabama's water quality requirements.
Further downsh'eam, at river mile 171. 8, American Can Company operates
a.paper mill that currently releases adequately treated waste into the river.
133
Prior
problems with this waste and fish lulls has been partially caused by poor quality
water coming from Gulf States upstream.
It is still desirable that each of these
mills give more adequate treatment to their effluents to eliminate these sources
as potential fish-kill agents.
Due to the steep and continuously agitated (by barge wakes and stream flow)
sandy banks along the river chmmel, there is no growth of marginal aquatic plants,
except in immdated tributary areas.
embayments is alligatorweed.
The most prevalent plant in these tributary
Its spread is not anticipated to expand since a good
population of Argentine flea beetles is present to exert biological control.
Other
less noxious aquatic weeds present in these embayments include lizard tail,
Sagittaria, American lotus, giant cutgrass, and cattails.
There is little likeli-
hood that submersed weeds will ever become established in these areas since these
waters stay turbid much of the winter and spring each year.
The fish population in Coffeeville Lake consists of those species present in
the Tombigbee River at the time Coffeeville Lock and Dam was closed.
Since its
closure the floodwaters have overflowed the dam sufficiently to allow fish free
passage up- and down-stream.
From observations and discussions with persons Imowledgeable of sport fishing
activity on Coffeeville Lake, it can only be assumed that fishing pressure is only
moderate on this Lake.
The accessibility, for boat fishermen, appears adequate in
the productive sport fishing areas.
provided for their use.
The bank fishermen have had no special facilities
It is recommended that fishing pier s or earthen embanl<ments
be constructed at favorable locations to accommodate this segment of the fishing
population.
134
Limited commercial fishing is still practiced on the river proper, but the composition of this catch is unknown.
Data on availability of sport fish indicate that moderate populations utilize the
inundated embayments in the lower reach of the lake. The bass, which depend
upon shad and small sunfish as food are in fair condition.
in poor condition.
Crappie were generally
This occurred because their food, which
i<;
small shad, is limited.
The majority of the Lake bottom, except in flooded embayments, is lillsuited
(because of shifting sand:;) for fish-food organism production. Thus the sunfishes
were few in mLmbers and we::e from poor to fair in condition.
This condition
status of the fish population in Coffeevill,e Lake is a direct result of a poor physical
habitat
fOJ"
fish-food production.
The Fisheries Section of the Alabama Deaprtment of Conservation and
Natl.~r'll
Resources ClLrrently has no manag'ement plan in effect on tllis impoundment.
do check bass reproduction on the lake each year.
They
The employment of a fisheries
biologist (to be shared jointly between Coffeeville, Demopolis, Warrior, Holt,
and Okatibbee Lakes) by the Corps of Engineers would provide a liason between the
Corps and the State. Any future management of this fishery would be jointly
approved by biologists from each agency.
The actLtal fisheries management
would be conducted by the State, and the Corps would provide contractural funds
for their fair share of any program that was initiated.
135
References Cited
Swingle, H. S. 1950. Relationships and dynamics of balanced and unbalanced
fish populations. Auburn Univ. Agri. Expt. Sta. Bull. 274.
Swingle, H. S. 1953.
74 pp.
Fish populations in Alabama rivers and impoundments.
Trans. Am. Fish. Soc.
83 :47 -57.
Swingle, H. S., and W. E. SWingle. 1968.
populations in reservoirs.
Problems in dynamics of fish
Reservoir Fish. Resources sym.
11. 229-243.
Swingle, W. E., and Eo W. Shell.
1971. Tables for computing relative conditions
of some common freshwater fishes.
Circular 183.
55 pp.
136
Auburn Univ. Agri. Expt. Sta.
This Plan has been submitted to the Fisheries
Di vision, Alabama Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources for review and comments.
After review,
ali comments from the State of Alabama were favorable
and agreed with the management needs for this Lake
as set forth in this Plan.
Particn iar interest was ex-
pressed by the State on the establishment of fishing piers.
NOTES