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WATERFOWL BREEDING GROUND SURVEY IN UTAH 
1955 
Noland F. Nelson 
Introduction 
The 1955 waterfowl breeding ground survey represents the seventh 
consecutive year such a survey has been conducted in Utah. The survey was 
expanded this year and now covers those areas which are known to contain the 
bulk of the waterfowl breeding populations of the State, Waterfowl are concen- 
trated around the limited lakes, rivers, and irrigated areas of the State, as most 
of Utah is either mountains or desert. Itis difficult to get accurate counts of 
ducks on these concentration areas, but it is hoped that aerial and ground counts 
will give general trends in the breeding populations. 
Most of the data was secured by personnel of the Pittman-Robertson 
Division of the State Fish and Game Department. They were assisted on some 
sections of the survey by personnel of the Fish and Wildlife Service. 
Survey Methods 
Aerial transect routes flown in 1955 followed the identical routes of 
permanent transects flown in 1954. All the aerial transects were flown at eleva- 
tions of 200 feet at speeds of 75 to 80 miles per hour, with two observers covering 
a ground strip one-eighth mile wide on either side of the airplane. Most of the 
important breeding grounds of the State were covered by the aerial surveys. 
Ground counts were used in place of aerial counts on the Sevier River 
and cutler Reservoir areas. It was impossible to count the meandering streams 
of these areas by air. New areas for ground counts were established in Rich 
County and along the Sevier River. Air boats were used to count the Cutler 
Reservoir with apparent success. Intensive ground counts were also conducted 
on key State waterfowl refuges. 
Due to the difficulty in counting duck broods in Utah in relation to the 
limited information gained, very little effort was directed toward duck brood 
counts, Brood counts were limited almost entirely to Canada geese. It is 
planned to establish several key areas for goose brood counts to reflect changes 
in the production of this species. 
Weather and Water Conditions 
The spring run-off was below normal but above the drought conditions 
of 1954. Most reservoirs, ponds, and marshes had a fair supply of water. 
