COLORADO 
Weather and Water Conditions 
Weather and water conditions in Colorado during the 
spring and early summer were considered to be good for waterfowl 
nesting and production. In general, water levels in eastern 
Colorado were above average while in the rest of the State condi- 
tions were much drier than last year and below average. This was 
due to above normal precipitation in the eastern slope and a "dry" 
winter in North Park and the west slope. The snow pack in the 
high-country appears to be below normal indicating short water 
supply for mid-summer. 
The writers believe, however, that the overall weather 
and water conditions in Colorado were and are favorable for water- 
fowl production and brood rearing this year. 
Breeding Population Indices 
Examination of the duck breeding-peir estimates by area 
revel the 1959 counts are down 3,8 percent from 1958, but 2.6 
percent above the six-year average (Table 1). 
Table 1. Summary of Colorado Duck Breeding Ground Conditions - 
1959 with 1958 and the 6-year Average for Comparison 
Total Estimated Breeding Pairs 

~year 
2 Mae OM AO 1) ES 1229 
San Luis Valley 6,966 8,720 7,433 
North Park 3,708 3,534 h, 767 
South Platte Valley 1,648 1,782 1, 386 
Cache la Poudre Valley 1507 1,419 819 
Yampa Valley 2,658 2,07TT 2,586 
Brown's Park 125 199 62 
Total 16,612 List oo 17,053 


Comparison of individual breeding ground estimated 
between 1959 and 1958, show that North Park and Yampa Valley are 
above last year but that San Luis Valley and North Park are the 
88 
