202 

WATERFOWL SURVEY CHIPPEWA NATIONAL FOREST-MINNESOTA, 
1937 - 1955 
William J. Ellerbrock, Jr. 
Introduction 
The annual Chippewa National Forest waterfowl survey was taken 
for the fourteenth time since 1937. Minnesota Waterfowl Biologist Forrest 
B. Lee, Biologist Aid Dana Struthers, U. S. Game Management Agents Loren 
J. Bonde, Joseph W. Hopkins and William J. Ellerbrock conducted the census 
production studies during the week of July 10 to 15, 1955. The methods and 
times were the same as the previous year. 
Weather and Water Conditions 
The water levels rose gradually from 8,27 April | to 10.40 July 10 
at the Winniebigoshish Dam. All water levels were about the same as last 
year except for Mud Lake where the water varied from two inches to 20 inches 
and Kitchie Lake where some rice was being killed due to high water levels. 
Aquatic vegetation was more abundant this year, especially in Mud Lake and 
the Third River Area, the abundance of vegetation in these two areas made an 
accurate census impossible. Rice in Mud Lake varied between two and four 
feet in height and with low water was practically impossible to census. The 
same condition existed in the Third River area with other types of vegetation. 
The temperature during the census period varied from 49 to 84 degrees, wind 
velocity varied from five to 12 miles per hour, there were no calm mornings 
or evenings during the census period. There was .07 inches of precipitation 
during the census period. 
A preliminary check was made on Round Lake June 13, at that time 
17 broods of goldeneyes were counted while censusing the lake. During the 
census of July 10, only nine broods were observed, also the adult population 
was down 34 birds. 
Table | illustrates the results of 1955 as compared with the previous 
years. 
