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Champion Creek Reservoir 2018 Survey Report media download(PDF 488.1 KB)

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Champion Creek Reservoir - 2018 Survey Report

Prepared by Lynn D. Wright
Inland Fisheries Division - San Angelo District

This is the author's summary from an 21-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Champion Creek Reservoir were surveyed in 2018 using electrofishing and trap netting and in 2019 using tandem hoop netting. Historical data are presented with the 2018-2019 data for comparison. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Champion Creek Reservoir is a 1,560-acre impoundment at conservation pool (2083 feet above MSL) located 7 miles south of Colorado City in Mitchell County, Texas, in the Colorado River drainage basin. The reservoir is primarily used for recreation. Historically, Champion Creek has experienced long periods of extreme low water conditions. From 1999 to 2014 the reservoir ranged from 30 to 55 feet below conservation pool, with its lowest level recorded on June 1, 2003 (2027.98 feet elevation, 176 surface acres). The reservoir filled to over 70% capacity in December 2018, the highest water level since the 1980’s. Habitat features consisted of rocks, natural shoreline, and flooded saltcedar. Reservoir level was approximately 2071 feet elevation and 1107 surface acres during 2018 fall sampling.

Management History

Important sport fish historically included Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, catfishes, and White Bass. The management of this reservoir has been impacted by chronic low-water levels and toxic golden alga blooms in winter 2014-2015. Fisher Park was renovated in 2016 which improved reservoir boating and bank access. Fish attractors were paced in the reservoir in 2017 with conservation license plate funds and donations from local partners.

Fish Community

Management Strategies

Sport Fish Restoration Logo

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-5 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program