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Weather and Water Conditions 
In many respects the weather conditions which prevailed during the winter and 
spring of 1954 were very similar to those existing during the same period in 1953, 
February thaws in both years reduced the accumulated snow cover to a minimum and 
the spring run-off was gradual. Flooding was only very local in extent. 
Due to the drought conditions which followed, there was much less surface 
water available during the spring migration period in 1954 than in the previous year, 
and it is reasonable to assume that this factor more than any other influenced the 
size of our breeding waterfowl population. The small temporary water areas which 
are considered to play such an important part during the period of waterfowl court- 
ship 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 intermittent- 
ly 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 was largely one of drought and by the middle of this month, 
water levels had dropped noticeably. 
As summer waned, the receding water areas were partially replenished by 
frequent rains, and water did not become critical at any time during the breeding 
season. 
Breeding Population Trends 
The 1954 breeding waterfowl inventory disclosed a 38.7 percent decrease in the 
size of the breeding population from that of the previous year. Extremely heavy 
winds which prevailed throughout the period of census may have influenced the accuracy 
of the counts, but it appeared certain that a significant decrease had occurred. 
Data from the 1954 ground survey indicated that the aerially observed population 
indices must be increased by 28.2 percent to account for absent females, 
Table I, Il, and III will indicate the trends in North Dakota's breeding waterfowl 
populations. 
Success of the Season 
Production success in 1954 was determined mainly on the basis of data obtained 
throughout the season on a single transect approximately 58 miles in length. This 
transect is located in the central portion of the ''Coteau Region,'' the major breeding 
area in the State, and is believed representative of conditions occurring within this 
area generally. 
