MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY 
SOUTHERN MANITOBA 
Weather and Water Conditions 
The spring of 1958 was one of the warmest and driest since the 
surveys were initiated. Fall rains were generally light and the breakup 
which began in late March and continued until a blizzard in late April 
contributed little runoff. Little moisture was added by this blizzard 
and no rains of any consequency occurred during the survey period. 
Several severe dust storms were encountered during the survey. In spite 
of the lack of recent precipitation and rumoff, water levels in southern 
Manitoba, were generally above normal. Sufficient surface water remained 
from previous years to maintain high levels in the larger water areas » and 
many areas which previous to 1955 were "temporaries"” now have the charac- 
teristics of semi-permanent ponds. While very shallow temporary water is 
absent, there is no shortage of water in the parklands and prairies of 
Manitoba. The table below shows the number of water areas counted on the 
aerial surveys during the past eight years. The increase in the number of 
water areas in stratum "A" this year is probably a matter of interpretation 
on the part of the different crews involved. 
Water Area Index - Southern Manitoba -~ May Aerial Survey 
Ponds in Ponds in Ponds in 
Year Stratum "A" Stratum "B" Strata "A" & "B" 
1951 2h0, 500 185,900 426,400 
1952 174, 200 155,400 329 , 600 
1953 186, 600 311,700 1498, 300 
1954 258,200 1,075,400 1, 333,600 
1955 314,700 427, 700 742,400 
1956 390, 700 614,800 1,005,500 
1957 262, 200 Lok. 000 666,200 
1958 351, 500 264,400 615,900 
rere rere enn SS ena Se ee nd 
Average 
1951-57 272, 300 429 ,900 702,200 

The drought conditions of the fall, winter and spring continued 
until July 3, 4 and 5 when considerable rain fell in southern Manitoba. 
While some of this occurred as a general downpour in the Red River Valley 
and Portage Plains of the unimportant eastern portion of Stratum "B,' most 
of the good duck production habitat received rather steady gentle rain, 
ideal for the farmer, but producing little runoff into the potholes. This 
87, 
