227 
3. Water areas were classified as to size and type on the first coverage. 
The size of a site was the estimated number of censused acres, 
including the zone of emergent vegetation. The classification of 
water areas included: 
- permanent, less than 10 acres in size. 
- semi-permanent (dependable except in dry years). 
- temporary (dry by late summer except in wet years), 
- flowage . 
- lake, any permanent body of water which is 10 acres 
or larger in size. 
ryaw p 
S - stream. 
As was done last year, a lake is defined here as a permanent body 
of water 10 acres or larger in size. 
4. To follow water conditions experienced during these surveys, the 
water levels found during the production surveys (second and third 
coverages) were recorded, in comparison with the water levels 
found during the breeding-ground survey (first coverage) in the 
. following manner: 
NC - No change L - Less water 
M - More water D - Completely dry 
5. Data on waterfowl species were recorded in the usual way. 
Distribution of Water Areas 
Figure 1 shows the state-wide distribution of the 328 water sites censused 
during these surveys. It is planned to survey most of the same water sites 
annually. 
Weather and Water Conditions 
During the first three and one-half months of 1952 slightly above normal 
precipitation was recorded, giving early spring migrant waterfowl numerous 
temporary feeding and loafing areas. The spring wildfowl migration arrived in 
Wisconsin on schedule and left sooner than usual. The early departure was 
attributed to the abnormally warm, sunny and dry weather experienced during the 
second half of April. This midsummer weather allowed farmers to get an early 
Start with their spring planting. The weather bureau reported that by May lI, 
approximately 70 percent of the spring grains had been sown as compared with only 
about 11 percent in 1951. 
Waterfowl nesting was earlier than in 1951 by about seven days. In fact, 
this was the earliest season since 1947. 
Between July 10 - 20, periodic heavy rains brought back early spring 
temporary water conditions which flooded and destroyed many crops. In one 
southeastern Wisconsin county, four inches of rain fell in six hours. Higher water 
levels resulting from these rains apparently caused only minor waterfowl nesting 
losses, The peak of the duck hatch occurred prior to July 10 this year (Table I1). 
