CENTRAL FLYWAY 
Production Indices - 
The duck brood density survey in mid-July measures the production 
of duck broods through mid-July. It cannot measure or predict the amount of 
brood production for the entire breeding season, but it should serve to predict 
any large-scale increase or decrease in brood production. 
The current mid-July survey indicated an observed brood density 
in eastern South Dakota of 0.406 brood per Square mile. This is 40 percent 
below the 1954 density of 0.677 brood per square mile, and 42 percent below 
the 1953-1954, two-year average of 0.695 brood per square mile in mid-July. 
Since the current hatch appears to be considerably earlier than that of 1954, 
it would appear that total brood production for the current season will be at 
least 50 percent below that of 1954. 
Conclusions - 
The fall flight of ducks from South Dakota will be much reduced 
as compared to 1954. 
NEBRASKA 
~ 
Weather and Water Conditions - 
Drought conditions prevailed over the Nebraska sandhills during 
late 1954 and until June, 1955. Very warm temperatures accompanied by 
high winds were general during the spring and several severe dust storms 
occurred over the area. 
| - A cool rainy period during early June brought the rainfall total to 
near average and relieved the drought conditions at that time. During mid- 
June to late-July, heavy rains have occurred in small localized areas while 
drought conditions returned to the rest of the sandhills. 
: _ These weather conditions resulted in a very severe dry-up in the 
eastern sandhills. While no water area data was recorded on the aerial 
transects, it was estimated that about 80 percent of the water and 90 percent 
of the water areas present in 1954 were gone at the time of the 1955 survey. 
-.This loss included nearly all the potholes and small lakes and even some of 
the larger lakes of 100 acres or more. ; 
The dry- up in the central and western areas was much less severe 
-with only some. small pothole areas gone that had been present in 1954. Water 
levels ° in the larger lakes controlled mostly. by ground water were generally 
| good.: | 
