This letter is to discuss our July 2024 management efforts. I came out once in July on the 24th. Weather patterns have been pretty stable. It has been hot, but at least so far, the heat has primarily been below 100 F. It is summer in Texas, so we shouldn’t expect anything less. Water and the wildlife using it are entering what I call maintenance mode. Everything is just trying to maintain and survive.
On the 24th, the water temp averaged 87 F. There was a little increase over last month, but still not at a critical level but getting warmer; I expect that to change next month. August is generally our hottest month, at least it feels that way. Alkalinity was 140. pH was still high at 8.8. The decrease in water level is due to evaporation. When water evaporates, all that leaves is water molecules. All the salts and chemical molecules stay in place so water chemistry can become more concentrated. This can lead to variations in pH and alkalinity. High alkalinity provides a buffer for pH changes, so even though we have a high pH reading, the water can process changes better. It would be a lot different if our alkaline it were as were under 100. The water looked good. I suspected the suspended particles had settled, and it was back to its usual green, fertile color. Depth readings averaged 28 inches.
Other than that, everything looks perfect. We just have to make it through summer, and everything should be fine. Even though we have only just started, I feel good about how Irving Lake is doing.
Thanks, Vilbig Residents
Chad Fikes
Fisheries Biologist
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