Biologist Report November 29, 2021
Greetings, Lake Vilbig residents!
This letter is to discuss our November 2021 management efforts. I came out once in November on the 17th.
First, I want to apologize for October. My wife came down with Covid, and I felt hesitant to do much because I didn’t want to spread the virus. But then I contracted it from my wife. So it put me down for a week. We are all good now.
On the 17th. Water temp was way lower than it has been, normal considering we are well into fall. I measured water temperatures of 66 F. Visibility was around 36 inches. PH was still high. 8.0. The water was murky. An off-brown color, much more dismal than it has been in recent months, this off color is also standard. As water temperatures decrease, the natural plankton starts to die off. With this natural occurrence comes a change in watercolor and clarity. The color usually goes to a brownish tint, and transparency generally increases. This showed up in the visibility as well. Everything looks great. Water levels have been relatively stable. They have dropped a little in November but overall much better than it was even last year. We haven’t had a lot of rain this fall, I believe we have been abnormally low this fall, but water levels have remained relatively stable even with these conditions. Alkalinity was steady at 120.
Birds are back as well. I saw a flock of seagulls and several cormorants. I am convinced seagulls are a migratory species. I am trying to identify the exact species, just so we know what it is, but apparently, there are about 10,000 species of gulls and several that live in the state of Texas. At least part of the year. I would imagine it is just a matter of time before pelicans show up.
Thanks, Vilbig Residents!
Chad Fikes
Fisheries biologist
Pelicans??