Meredith Reservoir - 2012 Survey Report

Prepared by Charles Munger and John Clayton
Inland Fisheries Division
District 1-A, Canyon, Texas

This is the authors' summary from an 18-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish Populations in Meredith Reservoir were surveyed in 2012 using trap netting and in 2013 using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2012-2013 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

Meredith Reservoir is an impoundment on the Canadian River 35 miles northeast of Amarillo, Texas. It was built in 1965 to provide municipal and industrial water. It experiences substantial water level fluctuations and covered approximately 1,800 acres during 2012-2013, down from an average 3,264 acres in 2010-2011. A new record low of 28.15 feet ft maximum water depth was documented on 08 April 2013. Maximum depth based on a sonar survey of the basin was only 16 ft due to siltation within the reservoir basin. The first documented golden alga kill occurred 20 December, 2010 into March, 2011. An additional golden alga kill occurred in spring 2012. Angler and boat access was adequate but only one boat ramp was usable in 2012 due to low water. There were two handicap accessible fishing piers. Habitat was primarily silt and rock, with some non-native macrophytes.

Management History

Important sport fish included Walleye, White Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, and catfish. Walleye were managed with a two fish under 16 inches regulation to improve angler catch rates and size of fish caught. Smallmouth Bass were placed under a 12-15 inch slot limit in 1992 in an effort to increase the number of larger fish. Largemouth Bass, crappie, and catfish have been managed under statewide regulations.

Fish Community

• Catfishes: The only game species found in the reservoir in the past three years of surveys was Channel Catfish. Based on gill net surveys, the population appears to be declining.

Management Strategies

• Continue monitoring of sport fish populations to determine impact of low water levels and increased chlorides due to drought conditions, and monitor golden alga blooms.
• Conduct annual gill net surveys and conduct a trap net survey in 2016.
• Conduct a habitat survey in 2016.

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