As any of you that have been on Twin Buttes lately have noticed, there is a severe algae bloom. I sent an email to TPWD asking what it was and was there any concerns. Hopefully, it will not have a severe impact on the fishery. I just moved back in 2006 after being gone for 20+ years, has this occured before?

Here is the reply I got:

Hello,

Thanks for your message. This is something that is being monitored by the Upper Colorado River Authority, Texas Commission for Environmental Quality, and TPWD. The City of San Angelo is also aware of the situation.

The problem we are experiencing is a blue-green algal bloom. Depending on conditions, it may pass without any significant effects or it could result in a fish kill. Decomposing blue-green algae can release toxins that are harmful to fish. The decomposition process also requires oxygen, so a reduction of oxygen can also be harmful to fish.

Unfortunately, there is no cost-effective way to treat blooms in large bodies of water so we will have to let this bloom run its course and hope that any possible effect on the fish population is minimal.

Thanks for your concern.

Mukhtar Farooqi
Fisheries Biologist
TPWD

Sucks that there isn't anything they can do about it other then let it run it's course, and hope for the best.

I did a lot of fishing in Twin Buttes when I lived out there, but I was only there for a year or so, so I don't know if it's happened before or not.

There have always been algea blooms on Twinn Buttes. It's the golden algea that affects the fish. Did they say it was Golden Algea by any chance? If its not the Golden Algea, I wouldn't think there would be any reason to worry?

JT

JT---From the biologist response:

"Depending on conditions, it may pass without any significant effects or it could result in a fish kill. Decomposing blue-green algae can release toxins that are harmful to fish. The decomposition process also requires oxygen, so a reduction of oxygen can also be harmful to fish."

Personally I am worried. It is getting really thick.

I guess we'll hope for the best.
Was planning on going there Sat, but I guess I'll head to Ivie instead.

JT

JT

Was out there today and fishing is fine---as of now. Just been concerned about whats ahead for us.

With Twin Buttes in the Concho River system and O.H. Ivie downstream there could be significant reason for concern. Maybe it is a natural cycle that will play itself out, I sure hope so.

Mike---You aren't concerned about Nasworthy? OH, of course that nasty water would kill any algae.

There's another lake between Twin Buttes and Ivie? Oh yeah, it's just past Pack Saddle BBQ right?

jof, throwback,
thanks for the research & concern. i've noticed a large amount of the green stuff in the water for several weeks.....didn't know what it was.....i really hope that twin buttes can survive. it's so nice to be able to be on the water in 20 minutes from my house.....nasworthy sux for fishing....nasty water.....as the locals call it....lol....
heading to the big friendly this weekend......
doug

Doug - Good to hear from you. We were down at the big friendly a couple of weeks ago. The water level was down about 11 feet then and I heard it was dropping 2 to 3 inches per day. It's supposed to be hot this weekend in Del Rio 103 is forecast, make sure and wear your sunscreen. Mike

As a follow-up, I ask what causes suck algae blooms and how long they expect it to take to run it's course. Here is the response I got and I think some of you guys need to stop enriching the lake, go to the bank to do your thing---I figure that is the enrichment he is talking about----lol:


Algal blooms such as this are often caused by nutrient enrichment as a result of natural causes or human activities. Typically, this means elevated phosphorous and nitrogen concentrations. In this case the cause has not been determined.

I would guess it could take a couple of weeks to pass, depending on environmental conditions.

It is my understanding that the Department of State Health Services(DSHS) asses such health risks. TPWD has informed the DSHS as well as Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The City of San Angelo will probably take action based on any information it receives from DSHS and TCEQ.

At the moment we have no indication that the bloom has turned toxic. We have not seen any dead or distressed fish, and pH and dissolved oxygen concentrations are within the normal range. Let's hope the bloom passes with minimal effect.

Regards,

Mukhtar Farooqi
Fisheries Biologist
TPWD

It would more likely be from direct affluent dumping upstream on spring creek. Lots of folks live right on the water.

Think it is worse and and saw it first up Middle Concho. Just noticed it up Spring Creek last 2-3 weeks.

Sounds like a county issue. Maybe a visit with the County Commissioners could be in order.

Its in Ivie too in some places, mostly shallow water in the creeks and backs of coves. Not bad yet but its there.
Johnny

my guess would be that it is due to the influx of all the new water and the (rotting)salt cedar that it has covered. have seen lakes do this after catchng water. hope it is nothing serious.

Was much better this morning, was surprised how much it had disappeared. Last week, it was really thick over much of the lake, especially out from ramp and in the main lake. Today I saw very little. Hopefully, it has run it's course as the TPWD biologist had expected. Perhaps the hot weather knocked it out/down.

Could just see Twin Buttes getting hit, not enough water in OC Fisher to fish and having to resort to Nastywater. OH well, would have helped my handicap.