205 
Western and central counties got heavy downpours on June 15 and 16 when 
general rains fell in the State. Heavy rains totaling 5 to 6 inches fell in much of 
west Otter Tail and Becker Counties and also parts of Wilkin and Grant Gounties. 
These counties contain excellent duck breeding habitat. On June 19 and 20 heavy 
downpours occurred in the northeastern one-third of the State. Daily measure- 
ments of from one to two inches of rain were recorded at many towns; 4.15 inches 
fell at Moose Lake. 
The prairie pothole region of western and central Minnesota received heavy 
rains on June 24 and 25. Over an inch was recorded at several towns, This rain 
was general and precipitation was recorded over the entire northern part of the 
State. 
The final heavy rain of June came on the 27th and hit the counties afflicted by 
the cloudburst of June 7 and 8. At Worthington, 3.30 inches fell on June 8 and on 
June 27 another 2.10 inches was recorded. 
The preceding information relative to rainfall during May and June can be 
summarized as follows: 
1, Water levels were moderately low over much of the State during 
early May. Levels were very low in northwestern Minnesota where 
drought conditions prevailed during 1951 and 1952. 
2. Water levels were raised during May and June in most parts of 
the State by heavy periodic rains, Total precipitations for these two 
months was greater than usual for much of the State including the 
principal waterfowl breeding range. 
3. Much of the rain fell in heavy downpours creating temporary 
field ponds and raising the levels of ponds and streams. 
Breeding Population Trends 
The breeding pair survey was conducted from May 7 to 22. Comparable auto 
transects. in 48 counties showed an increase of approximately 30 percent in the 
number of breeding pairs on the areas censused, These transects were run in Game 
Management Areas II, III, IV, V, VIII, IX, X, XI, and XII, which include the 
principal waterfowl breeding range in the State. The 1952 and 1953 auto transect 
routes were nearly identical, Minor detours accounted for a slight mileage 
difference. The auto transect data are as follows: 
