Lake Creek Dam Herps of Texas report, 27Apr2024
Due to construction at Berry Springs Park and Preserve, there was a small group outing to Lake Creek Dam this month.
Five amphibian species were observed in the creek and nearby dry block limestone wall: Rio Grande Leopard Frog (CI = 1), Gulf Coast Toad (CI = 0), Rio Grande Chirping Frog (CI = 1), Blanchard's Cricket Frog (CI = 3), and Green Tree Frog (CI = 3). Two scorpions, several Mediterranean Geckos, and a Black-necked Garter Snake were also seen in cracks in the wall. A Rio Grande Chirping Frog only chirped a couple of times at the wall - we couldn't find it and we didn't get a recording. Rio Grande Leopard Frogs were heard from the dam along the north shore, but they were hard to hear due to the wind and the Green Tree Frogs, and no recording was obtained.
According to the USGS gauge station at UBC Dam 8 near Austin, TX (https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/302814097444799/#parameterCode=00045&period=P30D&showMedian=true), there had been 1.15 inches of rain in the last 19 days.
The monitoring period was 20:00 - 21:15.
Participants were Kathy, Carolyn, and Amy.
Environmental conditions at the dam at sunset:
Air temperature = 78.3 deg F
Water temperature = 75.8 deg F
Sky = mostly cloudy
Water level = average
Relative humidity = 64 %
