New Ballinger Reservoir - 2012 Survey Report

Prepared by Mandy K. Scott
Inland Fisheries Division
District 1-C, San Angelo, Texas

This is the authors' summary from a 14-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in New Ballinger Reservoir were surveyed in 2010 and 2012 using electrofishing. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

New Ballinger Reservoir is a 591-acre (when full) impoundment located on Valley Creek in the Colorado River basin in Runnels County, Texas. It was constructed in 1984 for municipal water supply and recreation. The reservoir has a history of extreme water level fluctuations; it has nearly dried up and refilled twice in the past 9 years. Boat and shoreline access are good, and habitat is predominantly flooded saltcedar. Watershed land use is primarily ranching.

Management History

Important sport fish included Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, White Bass, Channel Catfish and Blue Catfish. Following its construction in 1984, the reservoir was initially stocked with Threadfin Shad, Coppernose Bluegill, Redbreast Sunfish, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Palmetto Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Florida Largemouth Bass and Walleye. Periods of drying and refilling were followed up with stockings of Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, White Crappie, Channel Catfish, Walleye, and Gizzard Shad. Sport fish harvest has been managed according to statewide regulations.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Gizzard Shad have been reduced to low numbers by the 2011 drought.
• Catfishes: No sampling for catfish was conducted due to drought.
• White bass: No sampling for White Bass was conducted due to drought.
• Largemouth bass: No Largemouth Bass were collected in 2012; the population has been severely affected by the 2011 drought.
• Crappie: No sampling for crappie was conducted due to drought.

Management Strategies

New Ballinger Reservoir should continue to be managed with existing regulations. The reservoir should be monitored to evaluate the recovering fish populations. A mandatory standard survey is scheduled in 2016-2017 with trap netting, gill netting, and electrofishing to assess important fish populations. Additional electrofishing in 2015 and additional hoop netting in 2016 are planned to monitor the recovery of fish populations.

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