Table 23. Waterfowl surveys - Missouri River, 



Total 



792 



964 



4,950 



276 



3,099 



854 



* Not surveyed 



(Ducks were mallards, common goldeneye, common merganser) 



Winter use of the Missouri River depends on the degree of 

 freeze-up. The river begins freezing over on the lower reaches 

 and proceeds upstream, depending on the degree and duration of 

 the cold. During the mild winter of 1979-80, several thousand 

 common goldeneyes over-wintered on the upper sections of the 

 Missouri River when open water was available. However, during 

 the previous two severe winters, there were few over-wintering 

 waterfowl along the river since it was essentially frozen over 

 all winter. 



Migratory concentrations along the river also occur during 



the spring. On March 16, 1979, 875 ducks and 141 Canada geese 



were observed on the Missouri River from Fort Benton to Virgelle. 



From Virgelle downstream the river was frozen over. 



The upland waterfowl habitat is represented by several 

 permanent lakes in the northern foothills of the Highwood Moun- 

 tains, and by semi-permanent and temporary potholes, stock ponds, 

 etc. The springs of 1978 and 1979 were excellent water years 

 for these upland areas, due to heavy snow packs and high precipi- 

 tation. Many upland areas which had previously been without open 

 water were dotted with small lakes and ponds. Waterfowl species 

 found utilizing these areas were mallards, pintails, American 



68 



