|
Conitibared Paper - Young et al. - Phantom Lake Spring Endangered Fish Rcf Igium
<br />YOUNG, D.A.; FRITZ, K.J.; GARRETT, G.P.i; HUBB.S, C. DAY - Bureau of Reclamation, Upper Colorado Regional Office, Salt Lake
<br />City, UT; K1F - Bureau of Reclamation, Rio Grande Projects Office, El Paso, TX; GPG - Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Ilean of the Hills Research Station, Ingram, TX; CII
<br />Department of Zoology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin TX
<br />Status review of construction, native species introductions, and operation of
<br />an endangered species refugium channel, Phantom Lake Spring, Texas
<br />Revisi6n del estado de construccitin, introduccitin de especies nativas, y operacion de
<br />un canal de refugio de especies en peligro, Phantom Lake Spring, Texas
<br />KEYWORDS: Cypiinodon elegans; Ganlbusia nobilis; Phantom Lake Spring; Texas; refugium
<br />CLAVES: C}piinodon elegans; Gambusia nobilis; Phantom Lake Spring; Texas; refugio
<br />ABSTRACT
<br />Two endangered fish species, Comanche Springs pupfish C)prinodon elegans and Pecos gambusia Gainbusia
<br />nobilis historically occupied Phantom Lake Spring, Texas. In spring, 1993, construction commenced for a fish
<br />refugium channel below Phantom Lake Spring. The Rio Grande Fishes Recovery Team monitored construction,
<br />native species introductions, and operation of the refugium channel during 1993. Discussion will include review of
<br />refugium design, construction activities, introduction of native plants, invertebrates and fishes, and initial monitoring
<br />of the colonization by native species within the refugium.
<br />RESUMEN
<br />Dos especies de peces en peligro, Comanche Springs pupfish Cyprinodon elegans y Pecos gambusia Gambusia
<br />nobilis histdricamente ocupaban el Phantom Lake Spring, Texas. En la primavera de 1993, inicid la construccion
<br />de tin canal de refugio para peces, abajo del Phantom Lake Spring. El Equipo de Recttperacion del Rio Grande
<br />monitored la construccion, introdueeion de peces nativos, y la operaeion del canal del refugio durante 1993. La
<br />discusi6n incluira un repaso del diseiio del refugio,. actividades de construccion, introduccion de plantas nativas,
<br />peces e invertebrados, y el monitoreo inicial de la colonization por peces nativos en el refugio.
<br />CONTRIBUTED PAPER
<br />Phantom Lake Springs are located approximately 6
<br />km west of Toyahvale, Texas, near the border of Jeff
<br />Davis and Reeves counties. The springs emerge from
<br />a limestone bluff and immediately are channeled into a
<br />Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) irrigation canal.
<br />At elevation 1,080 in, these springs, part of the
<br />complex of springs surrounding the Balmorhea area,
<br />are most vulnerable to human-induced aquifer decline
<br />(Brune 1981). Since discharge recordings were initiated
<br />in the early 1930's, Phantom Lake Springs have
<br />exhibited a steadily-declining discharge.
<br />Phantom Lake Springs historically discharged into a
<br />small, shallow cienega before returning underground
<br />via a limestone cavern. The waters of Phantom Lake
<br />Springs supported a unique fish fauna and invertebrate
<br />assemblage and, according to archeological inventory
<br />data, attracted Native Americans who utilized the
<br />surrounding vegetation and abundant wildlife (Charles,
<br />1993).
<br />Anglo-American water development in the Balmorhea
<br />area began in the 1870's when irrigated food crops
<br />were produced for the military at Ft. Davis (Water and
<br />Power Resources Service, 1981). Later, in 1914, the
<br />Reeves County Water Improvement District #1
<br />(District) was formed, consolidating numerous local
<br />canal companies. In 1946, Reclamation began
<br />reconstructing the District's facilities, including
<br />initiating the construction of the Phantom Lake Canal
<br />(Water and Power Resources Service, 1981). As part
<br />of the agreement to reconstruct and upgrade various
<br />District facilities, Reclamation received ownership of
<br />a 7.11 ha property surrounding Phantom Lake Springs,
<br />which includes the springhead, and approximately 200
<br />in of canal.
<br />The existing canal immediately below the springhead,
<br />with vertical, concrete walls, provides minimal shallow
<br />water habitat or structural cover for most aquatic
<br />species. Endemic species, including the federally
<br />endangered Comanche Springs pupfish Cyprinodon
<br />elegans and Pecos gambusia Gambusia nobilis, are
<br />found in reduced numbers within the Reclamation
<br />property, and were the main focus of a Rio Grande
<br />Fishes Recovery Team (Recovery Team) effort to
<br />design, construct, and monitor a native fish refugium
<br />channel at Phantom Lake Springs. The Recovery Plans
<br />for each of these endangered species suggest that a
<br />refugium be constructed at Phantom Lake Springs to
<br />enhance habitat conditions (Rio Grande Fishes
<br />Recovery Team 1981; 1983). The purpose of the
<br />project was to establish an off-canal facility that would
<br />transport flows via a protected, structurally diverse
<br />channel. The channel would serve as a refugium for
<br />listed aquatic species and associated unique invertebrate
<br />fauna, and would be protected from invasion from
<br />undesirable species via screening of the inlet structure
<br />and creation of a waterfall at the outlet structure.
<br />22
|