Alvarado Park Reservoir - 2013 Survey Report

Prepared by John Tibbs and Michael S. Baird
Inland Fisheries Division
District 2-B, Waco, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 24-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Alvarado Park Reservoir were surveyed in 2013 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2014 using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2013-2014 data for comparison. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Alvarado Park Reservoir is a 507-acre impoundment located near the city of Alvarado, Johnson County, Texas. We were unable to obtain the conservation pool elevation from the city of Alvarado as there is no elevation monitoring system in place. The reservoir was at or near conservation pool during the sampling period but reportedly did experience low water levels in prior years. Primary water use is recreation. Alvarado Park Reservoir is eutrophic with stable productivity. Habitat features included natural shoreline, bulk heading, and boat docks/piers. Aquatic vegetation is limited to shoreline stands of cattail (Typha spp.) and bulrush (Scirpus spp.).

Management History

Sport fishes in Alvarado Park Reservoir have always been managed with statewide regulations. Important sport fishes include White Bass, Largemouth Bass, and catfish. Since the last report (2010), the City of Alvarado was contacted and informed about the possibility to use funds from selling water to well drilling companies to match federal funds for a boating access program. The City of Alvarado matched funding by sale of water to well drilling companies, and the grant application is pending. Invasive species signage was posted at the access in 2013.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Forage species included Gizzard Shad, Threadfin Shad, Bluegill, Longear Sunfish and Redear Sunfish. Gizzard Shad and Bluegill were collected in numbers above historical averages.
• Catfishes: Channel and Blue Catfish catch rates were above historical averages, and body condition was good. Flathead Catfish were not observed.
• White bass: White Bass catch rates were the lowest on record, yet body condition remained excellent.
• Largemouth bass: Largemouth Bass catch rates were below the historical average, yet the population remains stable. Body condition was good.
• White crappie: White Crappie were present in the reservoir in low numbers.

Management Strategies

• Continue managing Alvarado Park Reservoir with existing regulations.
• Conduct general monitoring with electrofishing and gill netting in 2017-2018.
• Conduct an aquatic vegetation and access survey during summer 2017.
• Continue efforts to educate the public about zebra mussel issues, and protect the reservoir from zebra mussel introductions.
• Investigate the possibility of the city of Alvarado privately stocking Sunshine Bass.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-4 Statewide Freshwater Fisheries Monitoring and Management Program