DEPART1ENT OF COMERCE BUREAU OF FISHERIES A BIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF STREADIS AND LAKES OF TONTO NATIONAL FOREST, ARIZONA by M. I. Madsen Temporary Assistant Biologist Washington May, 1935 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Introduction ........................................ 1 Purpose of Survey ................................ 1 Personnel and time of survey ...................... 1 Acknowledgments .................................. 1 Survey Methods ...................................... 2 Physical measurements ............................ 2 Chemical determinations .......................... 2 Biological determinations ........................ 2 Pool grading ..................................... 3 Discussion of survey data and recommendations .......... 3 General description of forest and waters covered .... 3 Discussion of data on streams surveyed ............. 4 Physical .................................... 4 Chemical ..................................... 5 Biological .................................. 5 Recommendations for improvements .............. 6 Discussion of data on lakes surveyed .............. 7 Physical .................................... 7 Camical ................................. 7 Biological .................................. 8 Recommendations for improvements ............... 8 Stocking ............................................ 9 Cold ';l ater Fish ...9 Stream stocking ...9 Lake stocking ...9 Tiarm water fish .................................. 10 Stream stocking .............................. 10 Lake stocking ................................ 10 Table 1.- Summary of streams surveyed in Tonto Forest ... 12 2.- Summary of chemical data of streams of Tonto National Forest .......................... 13 3.- Summary of fish present in streams of Tonto ... 14 4.- Summary of lakes of the Tonto Forest ......... 16 5.- Chemical summary of lakes of Tonto Forest .... 17 6.- Stocking recommendations for streams and lakes of Tonto National Forest .................. 18 Appendix.- Blank forms used by survey party. A Biological Survey of Streams and Lakes of Tonto National Forest, Arizona by M. J. Madsen Temporary Assistant Biologist INTRODUCTION PURPOSE OF SURVEY In preparing to stock a stream or lake with fish it is essential that certain data be available to insure the proper selection of species and numbers to plant. The purpose of the survey as conducted by the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries was as follows: 1. To ascertain the biological, chemical, and physical conditions of the streams and lakes. 2. To use these data as a basis for the determination of species, size, and number of fish best adapted to each stream or lake. 3. To demonstrate where and how alterations of the envftonment can be made which will increase fish production. 4. To call attention to special problems which should receive further and more intensive study. This program provides for a survey of conditions and by n• means a complete study of any lake or stream. PERSONNEL AND T Æ OF SURVEY The party operating in the Tonto National Forest was composed of the following: M. I. Madsen, biologist in charge, Paul Klingenberg, Harry G. Moseley, assistant biologists, and Wm. Hudspeth, camp attendant. The party was in the field from June 28 to July 22, 1934. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Acknowledgments are due the Arizona State Fish and Game Commission for contributing the assistance of their deputy game agents and the use of boats. We wish to thank the Forest Service for supplying maps and assisting the party over sections of the forest where roads and trails were difficult to follow. To the sportsmen and citizens of Arizona, appreciation is expressed for their cooperation and assistance in furnish- ing information relating to the fishing and history of the streams and lakes. - 2 - SURVEY METHODS The following methods were used in obtaining the required information at each station on the field blanks. On streams two hundred yards were studied and considered as a station. On lakes, a station was that area that could be worked from an anchored boat. Copies of the blank forms used in the survey will be found at the end of this report. Physical Measurements Stream widths and depths were measured by rule and steel thread tape. Miles of stream were measured on Forest Service maps. Altitude and gradient were secured from U.S.G.S.'mapa. Temperatures of water and air were taken with standard pocket Fahrenheit thermometers. The area of lakes were calculated from maps. Depth determinations on lakes and large streams were made with woven cotton lines accurately marked at one yard intervals. Temperatures at various depths on lakes were taken with the Negretti-Zambra reversing thermometer. Turbidity measurements were made with a standard white disc ten centimeters in diameter. The average depth at which this disc disappears and reappears is the turbidity figure. Chemical Determinations Determinations were made of the following in the field: pH or hydrogen ion concentration: By using a standardized set of colorimetric tubes and Bramthymol blue as an indicator. Carbon dioxide: By using phenolphthalein indicator and titrating against N/44 sodium hydroxide. Dissolved oxygen: By using the Winkler modification of Standard Methods as outlined in Standard Methods of Water Analysis, 1934, except that procedure for the removal of organic materials was omitted. Alkalinity: By titrating a weak acid (0.02 N. sulphuric acid) against phenolphthalein and methyl orange indicators. Biological Determinations. Studies of fish population were made by using gill nets, seines, dip nets and wire traps, by angling, and by close observation. ' Plants: Location of principal stands of aquatic plants were observed and indicated on sketch maps and their relative abundance recorded as dense if the plants formed a close mat, as thin if the plants were spaced two feet or more apart, and as scarce if only scattered specimens are in evidence. - 3- Bottom foods: Bottom foods in streams were investigated by using the square foot sampling net; in lakes with the Ekman dredge. Numerous counts of food sample in the Tonto Forest suggest the following rating: Grade 'I - Richest - over 200 animals per square foot • " II - Average - between 200 and 100 per square foot " III - Poorest - less than 100 per square foot. Plankton determinations were made by using a standard net having an opening of eleven centimeters anda cone of silk with detach- able bucket. Thu quantity was measured in cubic centimeters per haul. 4 Pool Grading A pool having an average width of more than double that of the stream is graded as 1 for size; if equal to the width of the stream as 2; if less than the width of the stream as 3. Pools two or more feet in depth and with excellent shelter are graded 1 for type; those less than two feet in depth and with average shelter are graded.2; those shallow and exposed are graded 3. If pools are almost continuouS with only short sections of riffle between they are graded 1 for frequency; if they are fairly close together and occupy approximately half the total area of the stream, they are graded 2; if few and with long.stretches of shallow water between, they are graded 3. The average of these qualities in size, type and frequency is consid- ered and the pool grade of A, B, C, denoting excellent, average or poor, given the section. Shade was designated as dense, partly shaded, or open. Riffles were described aCcording to their canposition_as- boulders, gravel, rubble, bedrock or sand. The approximate percentage of a stream made,up.of riffles is also given. DISCUSSION OF SURVE.Y DATA AND RE 0.0 M.MEN.D•AT.IONS GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF FOREST. AND. WATERS COVERED The Tonto National Forest lies directly south of the Mogollon Rim tn what is called the Tonto Basin. The forest derives its name from Tonto Creek, the largest and most important stream in the area. The forest is bordered on the west by the Verdi River; on the north by the gogollon Rim; on the east by a surveyed line running south from Mule Springs on th.MogO1lon Rim to the Salt River; on the south. The southern boundary lies just south of the storagc reservoirs of the Salt River Water Users Association along the ridges of the mountains. The forest covers approximately 2,500 square miles, ranging in elevation from 2,000 feet to 6,500 foot, with the major portion at an average elevation of approximately 3,000 feet. - 4 4 The principal drainages of the forest are: Tonto Creek, Cherry Crock, East Verde River, and the Salt River. All streams except East Verde River join to form Roosevelt Reservoir and the Salt River proper. The exact stream mileage is not known, since portions of the streams go dry during the summer months. Irrigation diversions and high evaporation cause the lower sections of the larger streams to go dry for at least a part of each summer. Smaller streams rise and sink in the desert sand in the same area. The headwater streaMs in the forest are the only permanent streams that offer fishing possibilities. There are no important natural lakes within the forest boundaries and only four reservoir lakes. The exact area of these reservoir lakes cannot, be stated definitely, since daily and seasonal fluctuations are so great, but in general the area of the group at high water level is approximately 43 square miles. The maximum depths on these lakes when surveyed ranged from 250 feet in Horse Mesa Lake to 40 feet in Roosevelt Lake. The bulk of the bass fishing of the entire state is supplied by these reservoirs. The road system of Tonto Forest is excellent. Excepting for