A Survey of the Native Fishes of Big Springs Creek/Lake Creek, Snake Valley, Nevada

Authors: Aaron Ambos

Year: 2010 (xlii)

Abstract

Big Springs Creek/Lake Creek is a spring fed creek system that flows for approximately 16 miles in Snake Valley (White Pine Co., Nevada, and Millard Co., Utah), and terminates in Preuss Reservoir. Despite several irrigation diversions and the presence of non-native species such as crayfish, carp, and Sacramento perch, this system has maintained an intact native fish fauna comprised of redside shiner (Richardsonius balteatus), speckled dace (Rhinichthys osculus), Utah chub (Gila atraria), Utah sucker (Catostomus ardens), and mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdii). In early September 2009, as part of a biological monitoring program a three-pass depletion survey was conducted along five 100-meter reaches to estimate total fish numbers at each reach and to determine fish species distribution, composition, and relative abundance at various reaches in the creek system. Each 100 meter reach was isolated from the system using block-nets, and three passes were made with a Smith-Root LR-24 Electrofisher. The survey was repeated in early September 2010 along the same five reaches as well as a sixth reach. Speckled dace were documented at five of the six reaches and were the most abundant species where they occurred. Redside shiner and Utah chub were also documented at varying levels of abundance at the same five reaches where speckled dace were found. Mottled sculpin were only documented at one reach, but were the second most abundant species at that reach. Utah sucker occurred in relatively low numbers at all six reaches, and were the only native fish species documented at one of the reaches (along with the non-native Sacramento perch). Total estimated fish numbers by reach were consistent between years, and ranged from 32 to 1691 fish per 100-meter reach. The reaches with direct spring flow appear to support the most abundant and diverse native fish communities.