WASHINGTON 
Weather and Water Conditions 
Water conditions in eastern Washington are excellent, with 
an 18% increase in potholes on study transects. 
comparable to the high water levels of 1952. 
Breeding Population Indices 
Conditions are 
_ The population of breeding waterfowl was one of the largest 
on record, with increases over 1958 figures ranging fran 10% to 4o% 
in various areas. 
Froduction Indices 
A cold, damp, very late spring has resulted in a very poor 
crop of young birds to date, although many birds apparently are still 
' incubating. The transects surveyed show as much as 70% reduction in 
broods in some areas. 

1958 Index 1959 Index Change 

Ducks - Eastern Washington 457,900 292, 300 - %% 
Ducks - Western Washington 82,000 _60, 300 - 26% 
Total Ducks 539, 900 352,600 - 34% 
Coot 86,400 111, 200 + 28% 
Geese . _13,400 _13, 300 none 
Total Waterfowl 639, 700 477,100 ~ 25% 
Conclusions 
The over-all reduction in ducks is 34%, because the high 
population of adultes fille in for some of the brood reduction in the 
fall population. : 
33 
