NORTH DAKOTA 
Weather and Water Conditions - 
Drought conditions existed during the early spring when waterfowl 
moved into the State, and it is reasonable to assume that this factor 
influenced the number of ducks which remained to breed. The small 
temporary water areas which are considered to play such an essential 
part during the period of waterfowl courtship and establishment of 
territory were almost entirely absent, 
Very shortly after the breeding population became established, | 
North Dakota received an abundance of moisture. Beginning in late 
May and continuing intermittently throughout June, heavy rains restored 
depleted water areas to their normal level, and in many instances low 
meadows adjacent to water areas were temporarily flooded. 
The month of July has largely been one of drought. By the 
middle of this month water areas were dropping noticeably. If 
conditions should continue as at present the majority of the potholes 
which normally dry up in late summer will disappear at approximately 
the usual time. ‘=r 
Water information gathered during the May aerial breeding 
population survey is as follows: 
Index to Total Water Areas in State 
Average Index 1950 - 1953 509, 293 
1953 Index 429, 643 
1954 Index 239,874 
Percent Change from 1953 ~ 44,2 
Percent Change from Average - 52.9 
Breeding Population Indices - 
The data collected during the aerial and ground breeding 
population survey are presented in Table I. These data show 
approximately a 35 to 40 percent decrease in breeding population 
from that of recent years. The indicated reduction may be somewhat 
greater than that which actually occurred since the entire inventory 
was conducted during a period of heavy winds. It is certain, however, 
that a Significant decrease has occurred in the North Dakota breeding 
waterfowl population in 1954. 
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