
CENTRAL FLYWAY 
Conclusions - 
Unfavorable drought conditions throughout the Hi-Line have curtailed 
production and the forecast is for a poor crop of ducks. 
The goose population and production census in the Hi-Line Unit indicated 
no significant change over 1955. The spring population in the Yellowstone River 
Unit also showed no change. Fewer nests and a smaller total production char- 
acterized the xecheae Valley Goose Unit. 
COLORADO 
Weather and Water Conditions - 
Because of the abundance of winter snows, and early spring rains, all 
of the important breeding areas in Colorado had good to excellent water con- 
ditions this year. It is believed that these conditions approach normal, and in 
some areas above normal. The one exception was Brown's Park where sloughs 
and marshes remained dry, Similar to last year. 
Breeding Population Indices - 
Table I - Summary of Colorado Breeding Ground Conditions, 1956 
eA = ROE ey SES ADC CSE AeA > ait re ea Aoi ls cra CR re a 
Total Estimated Breeding Pairs 
Area 1952-7” 1953 ~=C«S‘'954~—~C~«~a'SSHSSS~C~«~CCSS 
Ducks 
San Luis Valley - ~ 6744 7504 6576 
North Park - 5676 3808 : 2881 3844 
South Platte Valley - - 2188 1072 1803 
Cache la Poudre Valley 1029 1619 1320 1164 1518 
Yampa Valley © ~ 1790 1500 1540 ' 2260 4126 
Brown's Park © 291 372 Aw 48 15 
White River Plateau* 580 480 ~ - - 
South Park* - 431 195 145 - 
Totals 16,012 15,074 17, 882 
ne ‘hit Geese 
Yampa Valley ~~ 120 130 110 20 84 
Brown's Park 21 12 8 15 6 
Totals 141 142 118 35 90 
* White River Plateau not run because much snow remained 
in the area at the time of the count. South Park not covered 
due to insignificance of area and weather conditions at the 
time of the flight. : 45 
