Buffalo Creek Reservoir - 2012 Survey Report

Prepared by Tom Lang and Robert Mauk
Inland Fisheries Division
District 2-E, Wichita Falls, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 12-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Buffalo Creek Reservoir were not surveyed in 2012-13 report year because of extremely low water elevations caused by prolonged drought. This resulted in the lone boat ramp being well above the waterline and unusable. This report contains a management plan for the reservoir.

Reservoir Description

Buffalo Creek Reservoir is a 1,577-acre impoundment located on the North Fork of Buffalo Creek in the Red River Basin approximately 20 miles west of Wichita Falls. At full pool, it has a primarily rocky shoreline. Buffalo Creek water can be turbid at times.

Management History

Important sport fish include Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, and catfish. Buffalo Creek has always been managed with statewide regulations.

Fish Community

The 2012 electrofishing and trap net surveys, and the 2013 gill net survey could not be conducted because extreme low reservoir elevation made launching a boat impossible. As a result, the current status of the fish population is unknown.

Management Strategies

Conduct general monitoring with trap netting, gill netting, and electrofishing surveys in 2016-2017. Continue habitat improvement along the dam by placing brush piles and half-felling trees beside the dam when reservoir elevation is adequate.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-3 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program