CO 



03 

 SD 2. Buffalo Slough. Acreage: 660. O 



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Location: Lake County; not yet mapped by USGS; 1 mile S of Chester; reached 

 via Rt. 1-29 out of Sioux Falls and then on county roads. 



> 

 Description: Located in the upper Skunk Creek Watershed, this area includes ^ 



wetland (512 acres), agricultural land (30 acres), tree plots (18 acres), and 

 grassland (100 acres). Open water normally covers about 309c of the wetland 

 and emergent vegetation covers about 109c. The open water supports lush 

 growths of floating aquatics valuable to waterfowl and fur bearers. The emer- 

 gent vegetation is dominated by river bulrush, Phragmites, round-stem bulrush, 

 and cattail. Normal water depth ranges from 3.5 to 4.5 ft. Shoreline has gradual 

 slopes to moderately steep banks that are highest on the east and west sides. 

 Wildlife using the area include waterfowl, deer, shorebirds, pheasants, and fur 

 bearers, especially muskrats. The area has high public use. 



References: Best, E. E. 1963. Pilot study for wetlands inventory (Progress Report 

 for Brown County, South Dakota), Department of Game, Fish, and Parks; 

 Fredrickson, L. 1966-67. Marshall County wetlands inventory-South Dakota, 

 Department of Game, Fish and Parks; Fredrickson, L. 1967. Wetlands invento- 

 ry- Deuel County, South Dakota, Department of Game, Fish, and Parks; Twedt, 

 C. M. 1963. Wetlands inventory (for several eastern South Dakota counties, 

 Progress Report), Department of Game, Fish, and Parks; Twedt, C. M. 1964-65. 

 Wetlands inventory-Progress Report, Department of Game, Fish, and Parks. 



Encroachments: Impounding by dam construction for water in lakes above the 

 area and possible future tapping of aquifers for irrigation. 



Ownership: South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks, Pierre, S.D. 



57501. 



Data source: M. E. Anderson, BSFW, P.O. Box 250, Pierre, S.D. 57501. 



Other knowledgeable persons: W. C. Foss, 400 W. Kemp, Watertown, S.D. 

 57201; Ellsworth Brown, Dell Rapids, S.D. 57022. 



