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Ten reservoirs were chosen as trend areas, and were covered by boat and on 
foot. The reservoirs varied in size from | to 1,520 acres and constituted the best 
reservoir available for waterfowl. 
The topography of the area covered is characterized by valleys 5,000 feet in 
elevation and above. The rivers and larger streams meander through irrigated meadow 
land with the main channels bordered by willows. Many ponds and oxbows contain water 
early in the season and become progressively drier through August. The bottom lands 
are used primarily for production of native hay. 
' ‘The reservoirs are primarily for irrigation purposes, hut are also accessible . 
for stock watering and provide grazing around their perimeter. Most of the reservoirs 
occur in the sagebrush belt, one is in a grease-wood association. 
Marsh Survey 
The techniques used at Stillwater Wildlife Management Area this year differed 
from the study.last year so that the data are not comparable and therefore are not | 
included. This year a detailed cover type map was used to locate through one obser- 
vation only, though in many instances additional observations were possible. It is 
estimated that close to 75 percent of the total breeding pairs were recorded on the 
cover type map. 
Information derived from the completed map was: An estimate of the breeding 
population and determination of what part of the marsh was productive and what part 
non-productive (50 percent was found to be non-productive for ducks and geese.) 
Weather and Water Conditions 
Light snow fell the first week in June in northeast Nevada, but was of short 
duration. Spring was considered late and mild, and the water supply was normal to 
above normal. Migration reached its peak for the Stillwater Wildlife Management Area 
the latter part of February, and the peak recorded for the Ruby Marshes was about 
April 15. By the last part of August water in the rivers was confined to the main 
channels and some of the larger oxbows and ponds behind small diversion dams; which 
resulted in concentrating the broods., In general the water levels in the reservoirs 
dropped; however, all reservoirs were classed as permanent water. Weather and 
water throughout the areas covered were considered good from the standpoint of. 
production, though water conditions continued lower at Ruby Lake as for the past four 
years (approximately .15 feet per year) limiting nesting to the south end of the area. 
Breeding Stock Trends 
River and Reservoir Survey 
By the first part-of June many of the breeding pairs had separated. The lateness 
of the census together with the type of cover present resulted in low counts on breeding 
pairs, and an inclusion of a great number of unidentified species. 
