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Weather and Water Conditions 
The drought which began in the spring of 1952 continued throughout the summer 
and winter. Conditions appeared critical as the spring of 1953 approached. In March 
the precipitation was more favorable throughout the State, with the exception of the 
eastern portion. The spring break-up was gradual however and no serious flooding 
occurred. 
April was characterized by abundant precipitation. Heavy wet snows which 
occurred during the latter portion of April and the early part of May were accompanied 
_by freezing temperatures during the night. Water areas which had just recently opened 
were again frozen. The wet snows of early May were followed by heavy rains which > 
fell throughout most of the month, causing it to be the wettest May since 1897, 
Temperatures during this critical waterfowl month were below normal. These un- 
favorable weather conditions were detrimental toward the early nesting waterfowl, 
particularly mallards and pintails. 
Abundant precipitation occurred throughout the first half of June and the water 
areas, partially depleted by the drought of the previous summer, returned to their 
normal level. Extremely heavy rains about the middle of June flooded a large number 
of the low meadowlands. At this time many of the mallards and pintails were re-nesting 
and the other species of ducks were well underway in their initial nesting attempts. 
Moderate drought conditions prevailed during the remainder of the summer and 
during this period the peak of the duck hatch occurred. Sufficient water was available 
to ensure the success of this late hatch. 
Breeding Population Trends 
The 1953 breeding waterfowl population was estimated to be approximately 
20 percent greater than that of the previous year and closely approximated the average 
population of the previous 5 years. Data from the 1953 ground survey indicated that 
the aerially observed duck population must be increased by 20.9 percent to account for 
absent females. Indices to individual species populations were obtained by applying the 
species composition as obtained in the ground surveys to the corrected State-wide 
population index. 
It is very probable that the 20 percent indicated increase in the 1953 breeding 
waterfowl population should be tempered somewhat. 
At the time of the 1952 census the vegetation was considerably more advanced 
than in 1953, rendering the observations of duck densities more difficult. Furthermore 
the 1953 census was carried out with almost a complete change in personnel from that 
of the previous year's survey. 
Success of the Season 

The determination of production success in North Dakota is based upon two types 
of surveys: 
1. Brood counts conducted but once or twice each season throughout 
an extensive portion of the more favorable waterfowl habitat referred 
to as the Coteau Region. 
