PACIFIC FLYWAY 
BRITISH COLUMBIA 
On the basis of a wire from R. H. Mackay, the situation in British 
Columbia is as follows; 
"Weather and water conditions in British Columbia most 
favorable to waterfowl production to date. Season a 
week advanced over normal. Midsummer waterfowl counts 
remain high anc show little chanse in species or mumbers 
trom last year. Successful hatch indicates good fail 
flight." 
SOUTHERN ALDER TA 
Weather and Water Conditions 
The yearly drying trend is combinulne with long-time averages 
decreasing in all strata. Water indices for 1957 were the lowest on 
record and those of 1958 rank just above those of 1957. May water of 
1958 show improvement in the proiries and a small decrease in the park- 
lands. July water.of 1958 gave the same relationships reflecting some~ 
what increased water in the prairie and small decrease for the per Slancs 
over 1957 fisures. For the province as a whole, May water was down 21% 
from the long time average and 14% above the 1O57 low. as July provin-~ 
cial fisures were 29% below the long-time average and 5% above the 1957 
low. The number of water areas in July had declined from the May count 
by 475 in Stratum A, 34% in Stratum B and 56% in Stratum C, and 41% for 
the province. Comparable figures for 1957 were declines of 36%, Zhe, 
485 and 37%. A decline of water is normal except in local areas where 
excessive seasonal rainfall occurs. With losses of this magniture water 
was sufficient to accommodate the larger brood indices. Refer to Table Ay 
for a summary of this water data. 

The number of water areas does not appear to be a critical 
factor, The waterfowl seasons of 1957 and 1958, the two fines for which 
we have records. yielded our lowest water indices. ‘There is evidence 
that the rate at which the available water disappears may be more criti- 
eal for nesting waterfowl than mere mumbers of water areas. 
