
UTAH 
Weather and Water Conditions 
The spring run-off was slightly above normal throughout the 
State and unusual rains provided an abundance of water for all breeding 
areas. The peak of water reached the breeding areas after the! Canada 
geese were hatched; however, some early duck nests were destroyed by 
rising water. This has apparently had little effect on total production. 
Breeding Population Indices 
The following table gives a comparative summary of the 1956 
and 1957 aerial surveys: 
Total Ducks Counted by Area and Square Mile as Determined from Aerial 
Surveys ~ 1956 and 1957 

Squared | Total Ducks Per 
Miles Sampled ~ Ducks Counted Square Mile 
Route 1956 1957 1956 1957 1956 1957 
Box Elder County 48.0 48.0 2,971 . 942 61.9 20.0 
Weber County 15.5 15.5 1,119 416 77.2 26.8 
Davis County 14.2 14,2 1,742 313 122.6 22.0 
Jordan River Clubs 6.2 —= 6.2 1,971 402 317.9 64.8 
Salt Lake County 6.7 6.7 201 64 30.0 0.9 
Utah County 18.0 18.0 474 113 26.3 6.3 
Total - 108.6 108.6 8,478 — 2,270 78.1 20.9 

Although the 1957 survey indicates a 57 percent decrease in the 
breeding population, this figure should be treated lightly. An abundance of 
water, considerably more than is usually present during the spring, per-~- 
mitted birds to scatter over a much greater area than in 1956. 
Ground counts on State waterfowl refuges indicated a slight 
decrease in the breeding population of nearly all species. 
