CROSBY WETLAND MANAGEMENT DISTRICT (including Lake Zahl NWR) Crosby, North Dakota
1990 ANNUAL NARRATIVE
USDI/Fish and Wildlife Service REVIEW AND APPROVALS
CROSBY WETLANDS MANAGEMENT DISTRICT (including Lake Zahl National Wildlife Refuge) Crosby, North Dakota
ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT
Calendar Year 1990
( \n a yyu _ w?' - H/v/y Refuge Operations Date Refuge Manager Date Specialist
iz- Date C
egional Office Approval Page TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION,
A. HIGHLIGHTS 6
B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS 6
C. LAND ACQUISITION
1. Fee Title 10 2. Easements 10 3. Other Nothing to Report
D. PLANNING
1. Master Plan to Report 2. Management Plan to Report 3. Public Participation to Report 4. Compliance with Environmental and Cultural Resource Mandates to Report 5. Research and Investigations.., to Report 6. Other to Report
E. ADMINISTRATION
1. Personnel 12 2. Youth Program Nothing to Report 3. Other Manpower Programs Nothing to Report 4. Volunteer Program 13 5. Funding 14 6. Safety Nothing to Report 7. Technical Assistance 15 8. Other Nothing to Report
F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT
1. General 18 2. Wetlands 19 3. Forests Nothing to Report 4. Croplands 22 5. Grasslands 23 6. Other Habitats.., Nothing to Report 7. Grazing 24 8. Haying 26 9. Fire Management Nothing to Report 10. Pest Control 26 11. Water Rights Nothing to Report 12. Wilderness and Special Areas Nothing to Report 13. WPA Easement Monitoring 27 14. Private Lands Enhancement 27 3
Page G. WILDLIFE
1. Wildlife Diversity Nothing to Report 2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species 36 3. Waterfowl 37 4. Marsh and Water Birds Nothing to Report 5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns, and Allied Species Nothing to Report 6. Raptors Nothing to Report 7. Other Migratory Birds 51 8. Game Mammals 51 9. Marine Mammals Nothing to Report 10. Other Resident Wildlife 52 11. Fisheries Resources Nothing to Report 12. Wildlife Propagation and Stocking Nothing to Report 13. Surplus Animal Disposal Nothing to Report 14. Scientific Collections Nothing to Report 15. Animal Control Nothing to Report 16. Marking and Banding Nothing to Report 17. Disease Prevention and Control Nothing to Report
H. PUBLIC USE
1. General Nothing to Report 2. Outdoor Classrooms - Students Nothing to Report 3. Outdoor Classrooms - Teachers Nothing to Report 4. Interpretive Foot Trails Nothing to Report 5. Interpretive Tour Routes Nothing to Report 6. Interpretive Exhibits/Demonstrations Nothing to Report 7. Other Interpretive Programs 54 8. Hunting 54 9. Fishing Nothing to Report 10. Trapping Nothing to Report 11. Wildlife Observation Nothing to Report 12. Other Wildlife-Oriented Recreation Nothing to Report 13. Camping Nothing to Report 14. Picnicking Nothing to Report 15. Off-Road Vehicling Nothing to Report 16. Other Non-Wildlife Oriented Recreation 55 17. Law Enforcement 55 18. Cooperating Associations Nothing to Report 19. Concessions Nothing to Report
I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES
1. New Construction Nothing to Report 2. Rehabilitation Nothing to Report 3. Major Maintenance Nothing to Report 4. Equipment Utilization and Replacement Nothing to Report 5. Communications Systems Nothign to Report 6. Computer Systems Nothing to Report Page
I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES (continued)
7. Energy Conservation Nothing to Report 8. Other Nothing to Report
J. OTHER ITEMS
1. Cooperative Programs 55 2. Other Economic Uses Nothing to Report 3. Items of Interest 55 4. Credits 56
K. FEEDBACK
L. INFORMATION PACKET (inside back cover) 5
INTRODUCTION
Crosby Wetlands Management District (WMD) was first staffed in 1962. On July 1, 1975, the district was combined with the Des Lacs NWR, Lostwood NWR, and Lostwood WMD and placed under administration of the Des Lacs NWR Complex.
Included in the Crosby WMD are 92 Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA) with 17,602 acres and wetland easements totalling approximately 66,100 acres. The district encompasses three physiographic areas. Northern Burke and northeastern Divide Counties are drift plain. South and west of this, the Altamont Moraine Complex (Coteau du Missouri) is approximately 15-30 miles wide and crosses the WMD diagonally from northwest to southeast. South of the moraine lies the Missouri slope. Over half the district's WPAs lie in the moraine complex.
Homesteaders arrived in the late 1800s and early 1900s with farming being the primary land use and livestock production secondary. The depression of the 1930s forced many ranchers to sell their livestock. The early 1940s ushered in a period of abuse and cultivation of marginal land that has continued, although the Farm Security Act of 1985 has slowed that trend.
Despite the significant losses of quality habitat through the years, northwestern North Dakota remains one of the best duck producing areas in the Prairie Pothole Region.
The primary objectives of the WMD are the protection, preservation, and management of wetlands and uplands for waterfowl production. 6
A. HIGHLIGHTS
An extremely dry spring makes for poor waterfowl production, again(G3).
Heavy rains dump as much as 12 inches of rain in early July(B, F2).
Wind and water erosion common in 1990(B).
B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS
Table 1 shows the 1990 weather conditions obtained by Journal editor John Andrist at the Crosby weather station. 7
TABLE 1 WEATHER CONDITIONS-1990 CROSBY, ND
MONTH HIGH(F) DAY LOW(F) DAY SNOW(IN) PRECIP(IN)
January 45 10 -23 31 3.8 0.24
February 49 28 -32 1 0.8 0.02
March 63 30 3 23 3.8 0.71
Apri 1 85 21 14 6 1.0 0.61
May 83 31 25 1 1.42
June 96 26 35, 3 2.57
July 93 1 46 22 4.98
August 98 7 42 4 2.33
September 90 12 34 23 0.17
October 71 1 17 21 0.04
November 58 14 -13 27 4.7 0.35
December 43 5 -32 21 6.9 0.45
TOTALS 21.0 13.89
AVERAGE - 14.37
Extremely heavy rainfall in limited areas of the district in early July dumped as much as 12 inches in a one week period. Severe water erosion occurred in these areas (Photos 1 & 2). PHOTOS 1 & 2. WATER EROSION IN WESTERN DIVIDE COUNTY OCCURRED WHEN 5 INCHES OF RAIN FELL IN A 12-HOUR PERIOD. TK 9
Hot, dry weather both before and after the wet July week continued to cause drought conditions. Frequent windy days throughout the year caused severe wind erosion to the water depleted soils in the area (Photos 3 & 4).
PHOTOS 3 & 4. FREQUENT HOT, WINDY DAYS CAUSED SIGNIFICANT SOIL LOSSES DURING 1990. TK 10 C. LAND ACQUISITION
1. Fee Title
The Service has not acquired any land since 1977 in the Crosby WMD. Total acres in fee title are as follows:
Burke County 3,545 acres Divide County 9,894 acres Williams County 4,163 acres
Total 17,602 acres
Since the fee acquisition program was reinstated in North Dakota in 1987, several possible purchases in the district have been negotiated by the Hinot Realty Office. The steep decline in land values over the last ten years has made the resulting low offers unacceptable to interested sellers.
The Bjorgen WPA land exchange was approved in 1990. The district will receive a 60-acre parcel that ties into Drawbond WPA in exchange for the 60-acre Bjorgen tract. The acquired parcel is native prairie with an excellent wetland complex while a semi-permanent wetland comprises the majority of the divested unit. The divested wetland will be covered by a wetland easement as required in the exchange. The exchange should be official sometime in 1991.
2. Easements
Realty purchased one wetland easement in the district in 1990. The new Divide County easement protects 93 wetland acres. Total easement (wet) acres by county are as follows:
Burke County 23,575 acres Divide County 34,249 acres Williams County 8,295 acres
Total 66,119 acres
Interested sellers have been accepting less than half the easement offers made by realty. The low acceptance rate again is due primarily to the low land values and resulting low easement offers. PHOTO 5: CROSBY STAFF: Brad Jacobs, Toby Placek, Tim Kessler, Monte Ellingson E. ADMINISTRATION
1. Personnel Station
1. Del Pierce, Project Leader, GS-12 Complex H.Q. PFT
2. Tedd Gutzke, Supervisory Refuge Operations Specialist, GS-11 Complex H.Q. PFT
3. Tim Kessler, Refuge Operations Specialist, GS-11 Crosby WMD PFT
4. Karen Smith, Refuge Manager, GS-9 Lostwood NWR PFT
5. Peter Finley, Refuge Operations Specialist, GS-9 Des Lacs NWR PFT
6. Dave Gillund, Refuge Operations Specialist, GS-9 Lostwood WMD PFT
7. Molly Hansen, Refuge Assistant, GS-6 Complex H.Q. PFT (Retired 8-31-90)
8. Edith Goettle, Clerk-Typist, GS-4 Complex H.Q. PPT
9. Toby Placek, Bio. Technician, GS-7 Crosby WMD PFT
10. Gerald Felch, Engineering Equipment Operator, Training Leader, WL-9 Des Lacs NWR PFT (Retired 8-31-90)
11. Dave Gins, Maintenance Worker, WG-8 Des Lacs NWR PFT
12. Lowell Vaage, Maint. Worker, WG-8 Lostwood WMD PFT
13. John Stewart, Auto Mechanic, WG-10 Lostwood NWR PFT
14. Kevin Johnson, Biological Technician (Wildlife), GS-5 Lostwood WMD TFT
15. Marty Jorgenson, Biological Aide (Wildlife), GS-3 Lostwood WMD TFT (3-12-90 to 6-15-90) p 16. Brad Jacobs, Biological Aide, GS-3 Crosby WMD TFT (5-27-90 to 9-21-90)
17. Monte Ellingson, Biological Technician, GS-5 Crosby WMD TFT 13
18. Candace Roth, Biological Aide (Wildlife), (6-18-90 to 9-28-90) Des Lacs NWR TFT
19. Dwight Nahinurk, Biological Aide (Wildlife), GS-4 Lostwood WMD TFT (4-23-90 to 8-31-90)
20. Scott Aikin, Co-op Student, GS-4 Des Lacs TFT (5-20-90 to 8-11-90) Complex
21. Daniel Peterson, Biological Aide (Wildlife), GS-4 Lostwood NWR TFT
22. Don Helwig, YCC Des Lacs NWR (6-4-90 to 7-30-90)
23. Mike Ruden, YCC Lostwood WMD (6-4-90 to 7-30-90)
24. Lisa Carlsen, YCC Lostwood NWR (6-4-90 to 7-30-90)
25. Carolyn Sime, Volunteer Lostwood NWR (6-4-90 to 9-30-90)
26. Doug Felch, Volunteer Des Lacs NWR (1-15-90 to 4-15-90)
* 10-30 hours per week * * 40+ hours per week
4. Volunteer Programs
Divide County High School students Jack Spencer and Mike Lee spent a day helping with bale placement as part of their high school career day (Photo 6). Mike also assisted the staff with Miller Lake island searches. 14
PHOTO 6: JACK SPENCER AND MIKE LEE HELP MONTE ELLINGSON PLACE BALES IN DISTRICT WETLANDS. TK
5. Funding
1 ARMMS, BASE RESOURCE, PROB EXP FOR FY O&M LEMS OR FLEX MISC SALE QTRS YCC 1 TOTAL
90 580.0 14.0 75.0 12.0 6.5*| 4.5^ 692.0
89 534.0 619.0 61.5 2.0 12.0 5.4*1 4-5 II 88 372.0 5.4 1 632.9 229.0 10.0 12.0 4-5 II 399.0 566.8 I87 1 139.0 6.8 12.0 5.4 1 4-5 II i 86 405.0 115.1 — 13.0 6.6 | 11.4| 551.1 p * - ESTIMATE 15 7. Technical Assistance
A national directive to the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) brought about the FmHA conservation easement program in 1989. The program protects important wetland resources on FmHA properties.
The FWS in ND is responsible for conservation easement negotiation with FmHA and the ensuing administration, management and enforcement.
The Bismarck FWS Wetland Habitat Office (WHO) handled negotiations with the North Dakota state FmHA office. When accepted, the conservation easement property administration becomes the responsibility of the appropriate FWS wetlands management district office.
FmHA accepted four types of easements on properties across the state. Following is a description of restrictions by easement type:
"A" EASEMENT AREAS
"FULLY RESTRICTED"
"A" easement areas will not be altered in any way or by any means or activity on the property conveyed by this deed, or property owned or under the control of the landowner, including: (1) cutting or mowing; (2) cultivation; (3) grazing; (4) harvesting wood productions; (5) burning; (6) placing of refuse, wastes, sewage, or other debris; (7) draining, dredging, channeling, filling, discing, pumping, diking, impounding, and related activities; or (8) diverting or affecting the natural flow of surface or underground water into, within, and out of the easement area.
NOTE: In this case, grazing restrictions are only enforceable after FWS constructs a fence to keep cattle off the easement area.
"B" EASEMENT AREAS
"GRAZING ALLOWED"
"B" easement areas include permanent grassland vegetation and the wetland area. The vegetation or hydrology of the described easement area will not be altered in any way or activity on the property conveyed by this deed or properly owned or under the control of landowner, including: (1) cutting or mowing; (2) cultivation; (3) harvesting wood products; (4) burning; (5) placing of refuse, wastes, sewage, or other debris; (6) draining, dredging, channeling, filling, discing, pumping, diking, impounding, and related activities; or (7) diverting or affecting the natural flow or surface or underground water into, within, and out of the easement area. 16 "C" EASEMENT AREAS
"NO BURN, DRAIN, FILL"
"C" wetland areas, either by an activity on the property conveyed by this deed, or on property owned or under control of the landowner, the vegetation or hydrology will not be altered through: (1) burning; (2) placing of refuse, wastes, sewage, or other debris; (3) draining, dredging, channeling, leveling, filling, pumping, diking, impounding and related activities; or (4) diverting or affecting the natural flow or surface or underground waters into, within, and out of "C" wetland areas. The landowner shall have the right to carry on farming practices such as grazing, hay cutting, plowing, working and cropping "C" wetland areas when they are dry of natural causes. "C" wetland areas shall include any enlargements of said wetland areas resulting from normal or abnormal increases in water.
"D" EASEMENT AREAS
"GRASS/TREE PROTECTION"
"D" easement areas consist of perennial grassland/tree vegetation. The grasslands and trees within the easement shall be maintained in vegetation consisting of grasses, grass-like plants, trees and/or forbs. This vegetation is to be maintained without any disturbance to the soil surface other than that caused by burning, grazing or haying. The harvest and/or removal of live trees is prohibited, unless permitted by the easement manager. The planting or seeding of any crop, grass, legume, forb, shrub, vine or tree is prohibited, unless permitted by the easement manager.
Four properties have had easement restrictions placed on them in the district. These easements contain B and/or C restrictions only. The B restrictions apply primarily to seasonal and semi-permanent wetlands and a 33', 66', or 100' grass buffer zone around each wetland. Temporary wetlands in tilled areas were generally covered by the C restrictions only.
Habitat blocks with B easement restrictions were accepted on some units of unbroken sod.
Table 2 lists the areas protected by the conservation easement in the Crosby WMD. 17
TABLE 2 FmHA CONSERVATION EASEMENT TOTALS
*************************************************************** TOTAL
COUNTY Burke Divide Wi11iams Wi 11iams
PREVIOUS OWNER Neether, E. Bacon, J. Hagen, L. Perdue,J.
APPROVED BY FMHA 4-19-89 4-21-89 4-21-89 4-21-89
TOTAL ACRES 1360.0 480.0 1979.0 920.0 4739.0
TOTAL WETLANDS PROTECTED 31 1 145 40 217
WETLAND ACREAGE 271.9 15.3 50.1 33.6 370.9
#EAs AREAS* 19 1 72 22 114
EAs ACRES* 79.9 5.0 76.3 43.7 204.9
BASINS - A 0 0 0 0 0
RESTRICTED - B 20 1 87 32 140
RESTRICTED - C 11 0 58 8 77
RESTORABLE WETLANDS 0 0 0 0 0
ACRES RESTORABLE 0 0 0 0 0
FLOOD PLAIN ACRES 9.6 52.5 0 28.8 90.9
D EAs/GRASS 0 0 0 0 0
D EAs/TREES 0 0 0 0 0
* B RESTRICTION EASEMENT AREA, INCLUDING BLOCKS, AND WETLAND WITH GRASS BUFFER ZONES. p
The remaining posting was completed on all properties in 1990. Grass seeding was delayed as there is some question about whether unrecorded easements will be retained as written, or changed following sale of the parcels. All four Crosby WMD conservation easements were not yet recorded at year's end. 18
Haying permits for easement wetlands were issued on the Neether tract in Burke County. Landowners Marlow Nelson and Jim Woodard, who currently lease portions of this tract from FmHA, were given the haying permits.
F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT
1. General
Table 3 shows habitat types on FWS-owned lands in Crosby WMD.
TABLE 3 WETLAND HABITAT TYPES, IN ACRES CROSBY WHO
COUNTY Burke Divide Wi11iams TOTALS PERCENT
w c
E L I 120 238 26 384 2
T A II 52 128 4 184 1
L S III 409 472 80 961 6
A S IV 1438 2471 2260 6169 36
N E V 79 886 104 1069 6
D S (1)
H Native Prai rie 796 2610 841 4247 25 A T Brush 212 747 167 112 7 B Y Woodland 11 26 19 56 T race I P Tame Grass p 340 484 361 1185 7 T E DNC 60 1362 294 1716 10 A S Other 28 30 6 64 T race T (1) (1) According to Stewart and Kantrud. Doesn't include 440 acres of BLM lands. 19
2. Wetlands
The drought of the 1980's continued through the winter of 1989 well into the summer of 1990. As a result, wetlands throughout the district were dry going into spring. Water bird production was negligible due to these dismal conditions.
During the first week of July, heavy rainfalls cut a narrow (approximately six miles wide) strip starting in northwestern Divide County and reaching to west-central Burke County. Rainfall totals for the week varied from 5 to 12 inches. The heavy rains caused significant run-off (Photo 7) and severe soil erosion losses. These "gully washers" filled most wetlands in their path (Photo 8), many at least partially with soil.
PHOTO 7: HEAVY RAINFALL IN EARLY JULY FILLED WATERSHEDS- WATER RAN THROUGH THESE AREAS FOR SEVERAL DAYS. . TK PHOTO 8: RAINFALL FILLED WETLANDS IN WESTERN DIVIDE COUNTY THAT HAD BEEN DRY FOR SEVERAL YEARS. TK
Although too late for any significant late nesting attempts by water birds, these wetlands did attract waterfowl and other birds through the remainder of the summer, and a fair fall migration occured in these areas.
Following the very wet week of July, the district returned to drought conditions. Warm, windy weather followed and continued through the fall, depleting soil moisture and much of the water that had run-off into the wetlands. The outlook for 1990 again appears very bleak.
Table 4 compares spring wetland conditions, as compiled from wetland data obtained during 1/4 section waterfowl pair counts.
Quarter section pair counts were not done in 1990. 21
TABLE 4 MAY WETLAND CONDITIONS 1977-89 PERCENT WET
WETLAND TYPE (1) 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87* 88 89
I 18 27 45 33 0 33 8 0 0 19 — 0 0
II 22 50 85 22 10 72 33 0 4 59 — 4 10
III 63 97 97 58 29 93 71 49 39 80 — 2 13
IV 95 100 100 100 93 100 100 98 29 90 — 18 46
V 91 100 100 100 91 100 100 94 100 90 — 42 60
(1) Stewart and Kantrud, 1971 * 1/4 section survey not done in 1987
The district surveys a total of 200 random ponds annually on federal and private lands during the 4 mi2 waterfowl pair count. Table 5 compares projected wet ponds.
TABLE 5 MAY WET PONDS, 4 SQ. MI. SURVEY, 1987-1990
1987* 1988* 1989** 1990**
Easement 16,898 3,395 16,143 2,369
Federal 247 159 877 458
Private 60,640 17,541 54,821 6,591
*Crosby WMD only **Crosby WMD and Lostwood WMD (survey data combined) 22 4. Croplands
Three cooperators seeded small grain in dry wetland areas of Big Meadow and Hofstad WPA's. Twenty-five percent of the crop was left standing for wildlife use. The areas farmed were as follows:
COOPERATOR UNIT CROP ACRES
John Lindseth Big Meadow Barley 200
Gerald Olson Big Meadow Oats 90
Norman Johnson Hofstad Barley 5
The staff also attempted to seed the dry Carlson WPA wetland which contributed to several dirt storms in the city of Crosby. Although not as dry as it appeared (Photo 9), barley was finally seeded on July 1, one day before five inches of rain flooded the seeded area.
PHOTO 9: STUCK!!! TOBY FOUND A NET SPOT DURING THE WORST DROUGHT ON RECORD. TK 23
5. Grasslands
Spring soil moisture conditions were poor throughout the district, resulting in poor growth in the area grasslands. Mid-summer rainfall, however, caused growth in both the native and tame grassland areas. Many CRP units had improved considerably by fall. At year's end, soil moisture was again absent through most of the area as extremely dry weather followed from August through December.
Cooperative agreements for grass reseeding continued on three WPAs. Cooperators seed and harvest small grain crops while preparing the units for grass reseeding. WPAs with grassland rejuvenation agreements include;
Cy Wigness 64 acres
Norman Lake 28 acres
State Slough 25 acres
Although all areas were scheduled for grass seeding this year, all were postponed because of the extremely dry soil conditions. 24 7. Grazing
Grazing was permitted on native grassland units of seven WPAs in 1990. The cooperator divided Soo Grade WPA (Photo 10) into four temporary units (Table 6). Grazing periods and rates were as follows:
TABLE 6 GRAZING ON WPAS-CROSBY WHO-1990
WPA ACRES GRAZING PERIOD AUM
Sandeen Lake 28 May 16-31 28
Nelson 40 June 2-22 31
Jacobson 38 June 23-July 12 21
Soo Grade (4 units);
55 June 23-July 8 47
45 July 9-July 18 29
70 July 19-Aug 5 53
105 Aug 6-Sept 4 88
Monger 34 July 1-21 10
Lincoln 80 June 1-21 40 PHOTO 10: FOUR UNITS IN SOO GRADE WPA WERE GRAZED DURING THE SUMMER. TK
Grazing was done to remove litter and rejuvenate grasses within these units. Also, Sandeen Lake was grazed to set back growth of spotted knapweed. Either the grazing was successful, or the drought has had a negative affect on knapweed. At any rate, no new growth occurred and spraying was necessary in 1990. 26 8. Having
Haying was permitted on several district WPAs. Following are the hayed areas, all of which were for dry wetland hay, except where noted:
WPA ACRES
Big Meadow (3 permittees) 508
Olson 8
Breding 25
Swanson 20
Grubb* 7
Mullen* 37
Hattel 25
* 12 acres on Mullen WPA and seven acres on Grubb WPA were upland tame grass areas that were hayed and lightly chiseled.
10. Pest Control
Several limited areas of leafy spurge were spot-sprayed with a Tordon/2,4-D mixture in the spring and Tordon only in the fall. The areas were sprayed in June and September, as follows:
WPA ACRES
Hedlund 0.1
O'Rourke/Larson 0.2
Godejahn 0.5
Soo Grade 0.1
lindel1 0.8
Norman Lake 1.0
State Slough 1.0
TOTAL 3.7 27
13. WPA Easement Monitoring
Easement compliance flights were conducted in April. No new violations were found, and non-easement drainage including old ditch cleanouts were infrequent. Apparently Swampbuster has, at least temporarily, eliminated most old ditch maintenance operations that usually have occurred regularly.
Nine new oil well drilling sites on easement lands were inspected in the district. Table 7 compares of new wells on easement lands over the past several years. TABLE 7 OIL WELLS ON EASEMENT LANDS, 1982-90
COUNTY YEAR 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90
Burke 15 15 14 7 2 4 0 1 3
Divide 11 . 10 17 3 2 10 2 2 4
Wi11iams 3 2 5 1 1 1 0 1 2
TOTAL 29 27 36 11 5 15 2 4 9
14. Private Lands Enhancement
Private lands enhancement continued to expand in 1990. The Crosby staff spent over 175 staff days working on extension projects in 1990. Besides this, Monte Ellingson was hired on March 5 as an Extension Biologist to work with private landowners in the district.
Wetland restoration on CRP lands continued to be the highest priority program. A total of 65 restorations that enhanced 118.9 acres took place in 1990 (Table 8).
Creating wetlands in CRP became very popular this year. There were 41 wetland creations installed in 1990 that created 45.7 acres (Table 8). The wetland restoration and creation agreements were with 21 different landowners.
Extension offered a new wildlife dam program to landowners this past summer. The purpose of the dams is to back water in native prairie areas and create shallow water ponding. A news release was sent to the three county ASCS offices for their monthly news letters. Most responses came from the Missouri Slope area in Williams County. This area has good nesting success, primarily because of little predation. The district arranged for construction of 17 wildlife dams in Williams County (Photos 11 & 12), four in Divide, and one in Burke County in 1990. The total area covered by the 22 dams is 34.7 acres (Table 8). The wildlife dams involved 13 different landowners. Other landowners made many more inquiries in all 3 counties and work continues on those projects. Contractor Leonard Melgaard of Columbus did much of the dam work (Photo 13). TABLE 8 1990 EXTENSION PROJECTS-CROSBY HMD
COOPERATOR AGREEMENT COMPLETED/ NAME TYPE WETLANDS ACRES PENDING
Leonard Holte Creations 3 3.5 Completed 6/90
Merlyn Witty Creation 1 16.0 Pending DU
Larry Bonsness Restoration 1 17.0 Pending
Kerry Strom Creation 1 1.5 Completed 9/90
Thorstein Skar Restorations 8 11.4 Completed 5/90
Van Norby Restoration 1 3.0 Completed 6/90
Kevin Carlson Grazing - - Start 1991
Ernest Gillund Restor/Creat 22 17.2 Completed 6/90
Charles Wissbrod Restorations 2 4.9 Completed 11/90
Charla Schanandore Restoration 1 2.7 Completed 11/90
Lance Glasoe Restorations 2 4.5 Completed 10/90
Gerald Gillund Restorations 2 1.6 Completed 7/90
Elvern Gillund Restor/Creat 18 27.7 Completed 7/90
Merlyn Witty Restor/Creat 4 15.2 Completed 9/90
Chester Sorlie Restoration 1 8.5 Pending
Donald Burtman Restor/Creat 7 9.7 Completed 7/90
Ervin Nielson Creations 7 8,0 Completed 9/90
•Larry DeJardine Peninsula Cutoff Island is 13.9 Completed 12/90
•Sundal/Tommerup Peninsula Cutoff same Completed 12/90
•Elwin Hazlitt Peninsula Cutoff Island is 2.4 Completed 12/90
Robert Haagenson Restorations 2 1.3 Completed 10/90
Darrell Dihle Restoration 1 5.2 Completed 11/90
William Bailard Creation 1 2.5 Completed 11/90
Scott Legaard Creation 1 0.6 Completed 11/90
Larry Lee D^m repair 1 2.6 Completed 11/90
Robert Johnson Restoration 1 3.5 Completed 11/90
Greg Hartsoch Creation 1 1.7 Pending
Orton Thon Creations 5 8.8 Ready for const|
|Leslie Nelson Restor/Creat 5 6.3 Completed 11/90 TABLE 8 1990 EXTENSION PROJECTS-CROSBY WMD (continuation)
COOPERATOR AGREEMENT COMPLETED/ NAME TYPE WETLANDS ACRES | PENDING
Ron Haug Creations 2 3.5 Completed 12/90
Darrell Dihle Creation 1 1.0 Completed 11/90
Ron Haug Creation 1 0.7 Completed 12/90
Jesse Gerling Creations 4 3. 1 Completed 12/90
Claire Eide Creations 3 1.8 Completed 12/90
Gaylen Schroeder Creations 2 6.2 Completed 11/90
Virgil Marmon Creations 3 4.2 Completed 12/90
Gary Skogen Creation 1 2.2 Completed 12/90
Henry Dominek Creation 1 0.5 Completed 12/90
Gary Skogen Creation 1 4.3 Completed 12/90
Ina Dobson Creation 1 2.5 Completed 12/90
Wade Bjorgen Restor/Creat 13 14.3 Ready for const
Bjorgen/McCal1 Creations 2 2.1 Ready for const
Clarence Kueffler Dam repair 1 3.2 Completed 12/90
Delaine Rossmiller Dam repair 1 1.4 Ready for const
John Hoffelt Creation 1 1.9 Completed 12/90
TOTALS 137 237.8
* These peninsula cutoffs were done on Miller Lake in western Divide County. PHOTOS 11 & 12: WILDLIFE DAMS WERE CONSTRUCTED FOR COOPERA TORS SKOGEN (ABOVE) AND HARMON (BELOW). TK PHOTO 13: CONTRACTOR LEONARD MELGAARD CONSTRUCTS ONE OF MANY DAMS BUILT IN 1990. ME 32 One wildlife dam was repaired this summer (Photo 14). The July 2 rain washed out a 25 foot section of an old dam. A portion of this dam was repaired in 1989. The part that was repaired by a local contractor held water, but the rest of the old dam washed out. The same contractor repaired the wash out and now we have a new dam that should hold.
PHOTO 14: A DAM REPAIR PROJECT WAS COMPLETED IN WESTERN DIVIDE COUNTY. TK
Ducks Unlimited (DU) has decided to do three projects on private land. Two projects will be in Burke County and one project in Divide County. The construction will take place some time in 1991. In Burke County, a dam repair will be done on Leonard Holte's land, three miles south of Larson. DU plans to repair the spillway and install an overflow pipe. The completed project will back an estimated 16 surface acres of water when filled. The other project is on land owned by Merlyn Witty, located seven miles southwest of Larson. The plan is to raise a road and culvert to increase a six-acre wetland to a 14-acre wetland.
p The Divide County project will be on Miller Lake, located four miles east and three miles south of Westby, MT. Two peninsulas will be cut off to create nesting islands for waterfowl. A 13.9-acre island and a 2.4-acre island will be created. We are hoping for waterfowl nesting similar to that on the current island that we monitor every year. Several extension agreements were worked out with three landowners, one farm operator, and BLM. 33
In the spring of 1990, a total of 21 flax bales were placed in wetlands on private land. Nine bales were placed in dry wetlands, and 12 were rolled into the water. High school seniors Jack Spencer and Mike Lee helped in the bale placement. The bales were rolled into the water until they floated and then pushed to their desired location (Photo 15). Everyone got slightly wet, but the procedure worked very well. Of the 12 bales placed in water, giant Canada geese used nine.
PHOTO 15: FLAX BALES WERE ROLLED INTO WETLANDS AND FLOATED INTO POSITION. TK 34
TABLE 9 FLAX BALE PLACEMENT ON PRIVATE LAND BY FWS-CROSBY WMD
LANDOWNER COUNTY # OF BALES
John Fagerland Divide 6
Vernon Tanberg Divide 6
Bill Busch Burke 2
Leonard Holte Burke 2
Elwood Oien Divide 1
Lowell Larsen Divide 1
* Vernon Nygaard Divide 3
Total 21
* - landowner placed these bales
Extension purchased a total of 386 flax bales from area farmers this past summer. The Crosby staff spent several days hauling bales to private land sites.
TABLE 10 FLAX BALE PURCHASES IN 1990 - CROSBY WMD
NAME # OF BALES PRICE PER BALE TOTAL COST
Leo Elsbernd 36 $5.00 $180.00
Mark Knudson 78 $5.00 $390.00
Jerome Knudson 180 $5.00 $900.00
Jerome Knudson 53 $2.50 $132.50
Arley Binde 29 * $10.00 $290.00
Stuart Bakewell 10 * $10.00 $100.00
Total 386 $1992.50
* - Includes placement of bales in wetlands 35
Several landowners and sportsmens clubs expressed interest in placing flax bales in wetlands. Extension paid $3 per bale to the clubs and individuals for placement. One half the 386 bales purchased had been distributed as of Dec. 31.
TABLE 11 FLAX BALE PLACEMENT IN 1990-CR0SBY WHO
NAME # OF BALES PRICE PER BALE TOTAL COST
Baukol-Noonan Sportsmen's Club 66 * $5.00 $330.00
Rick Thorlaksen 22 $3.00 $ 66.00
Lynn Magnuson 22 $3.00 $ 66.00
Grenora Sportsmen's Club 11 $3.00 $ 33.00
Lowell Larsen 11 $3.00 $ 33.00
Lester Smith 11 $3.00 $ 33.00
Jack Lucy 11 $3.00 $ 33.00
TOTAL 154 $594.00
* - includes banding
Twelve nesting structures (mallard tubs) were placed in the Powers Lake area in Burke County. Rick Thorlaksen, a local farmer, modified the poles to make them adjustable. Placek and Ellingson helped in placement of the structures. Placek and Ellingson also put up two goose tubs in western Divide County near Westby, MT on land owned by Wade Bjorgen.
Private landowners placed six concrete culverts on wetlands for use as nesting structures. Cooperators Jon Ness, Roll in Wolter, and Richard Hinds each placed two.
Payments of $5/acre were made on CRP units accepted into the "piggyback" program in 1987. The Crosby WMD has 30 such agreements on 3,971 acres.
p Aerial photographs of every section in Divide, Burke, and Williams Counties, were obtained from the ASCS offices. This has speeded up the paperwork on extension projects but it is still a time consuming process. 36
G. WILDLIFE
2. Endangered and Threatened Species
The Crosby staff confirmed two sightings of whooping cranes in 1990. The first sighting occurred on April 26, two miles NE of Wildrose, N.D. Two adult birds spent about five days in this area (Photo 16). On September 30, Kessler and Placek observed three adult whoopers two miles north of Noonan. Two subsequent sightings of three adults, very possibly the same birds, were made at Beaver Lake WPA and Lostwood NWR in Burke County.
Several individuals reported watching seven whoopers northwest of Noonan on April 13th. Although very probable, the staff did not confirm the sighting.
PHOTO 16: TWO WHOOPING CRANES WERE OBSERVED WITH SANDHILL CRANES NORTH OF WILDROSE IN APRIL. TK
Many bald and golden eagles were seen in the district. 37
Piping plover surveys were completed (Table 12) by walking shorelines of three district lakes.
TABLE 12 PIPING PLOVER SURVEY-1990 CROSBY WHO
DISTANCE LOCATION DATE ADULTS PAIRS SURVEYED (EST)
Norch Lake 5-20-90 Ii 1 0 5,000 ft.
6-22-90 4 - 2,500 ft. Miller Lake 5-31-90 10 9 7,000 ft.
6-27-90 31 14 5,000 ft.
Westby Lake 5-29-90 0 0 5,000 ft. r TOTAL 46 25 j
3. Waterfowl
a. Mi gration
An estimated 200 Canada geese and 1,500 mallards were observed occasionally throughout the winter months in northern Divide County. These birds wintered on Boundary Dam in Southern Saskatchewan. The peaks of the spring white-front/Canada goose migration through the district occurred the first week of April. Snow geese, sandhill cranes, and white pelican sightings were recorded on April 12. All common duck species arrived by mid-April. Most waterfowl species spent only a short time in the district during the spring because of the absence of water (Photo 17).
PHOTO 17: DUCK PAIRS DID NOT FIND DISTRICT WETLANDS TO THEIR LIKING IN THE SPRING. TK
The fall goose migration began in mid-September. The eastern part of the district is bordered by Des Lacs Refuge, which harbored over 100,000 snow geese, many of which fed frequently on private lands in eastern Burke County. Beaver Lake WPA in Burke County held 10,000 snows and 500 Canadas in early October, but hunting'pressure drove them from the area by mid-month.
Several thousand ducks used wetlands during the fall in the limited area hit by the July rainfall. The ducks left the area in a hurry on Nov 2-3 during the first cold weather period. Temperatures dipped to single digits, freezing over all district ponds that held water. 39
Nest searching, using cable-chain, was conducted on portions of three WPAs: 115 acres on Soo Grade, 78 acres on Lindell WPA, and 60 acres on Alamo WPA. Three searches were conducted at three-week intervals beginning in early May and ending in mid-June. Table 13 indicates the number of nests located in 1990. The extremely poor spring water conditions resulted in little pair use and almost no nesting attempts.
TABLE 13 NEST SEARCH DATA, 1990
Acres Total Successful % Apparent WPA Searched Species Nests Nests Success*
Alamo 60 acres Mallard 1 0 0
Lindel1 78 acres Nests 0 0 0
Soo Grade 115 acres Mallard 3 2 66
Pintai1 4 2 50
Widgeon 2 2 100
Gadwal1 5 4 80
* - Nests abandoned or not relocated not included. 40 The following compares nest searches from three previous years, all of which were marginal water years:
TABLE 14 NEST SEARCH RESULTS-1987/1989-CROSBY WHO
r NUMBER OF NESTS
W P A YEAR MALLARD | PINTAIL GADWALL SHOVELER WIDGEON
SOO GRADE 1987 57 12 10 4 4
1988 26 0 9 0 1
1989 34 9 22 1 3 2
LINDELL 1987 7 2 15 6 3
1988 1 0 1 0 0
1989 | I" 4 8 3 2
ALAMO 1987 25 8 19 6 3 1988 1 - 0 8 1 6 1989 10 2 2 2 1 41 b. Island Search
The three-acre Willow Lake island, located in southeastern Divide County near Wildrose, has a 10-year extension agreement that allows District personnel to control predators and check waterfowl nesting annually (Table 15).
The district staff surveyed waterfowl nesting at Miller Lake island, which had averaged 500 duck nests per year during a research study done from 1975- 80. Table 16 shows this year's results.
Big Meadows, State Slough, and Rattler Lake WPAs were dry. The artificial islands on these units were therefore not spring surveyed. A July search of the three Rattler Lake islands was made after the heavy July 2 rainfall partially filled the wetland (Photo 18). Although water surrounded the islands, no late nesting attempts were observed.
PHOTO 18 RATTLER LAKE WAS PARTIALLY FILLED WITH WATER IN JULY AFTER BEING DRY IN THE SPRING. TK 42
TABLE 15 NEST SEARCH RESULTS-1989/1990 WILLOW LAKE ISLAND CROSBY WMD
SPECIES NESTS LOCATED NESTS DESTROYED NESTS ABANDONED SUCCESSFUL NESTS
1989 1990 1989 1990 1989 1990 1989 1990
Mai lard 20 7 4 1 0 0 16 6
Pintai1 6 0 2 0 0 0 4 0
Gadwal! 13 2 3 0 1 0 9 2
Redhead 3 1 2 0 0 0 1 1
B. W. Teal 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
L. Scaup 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0
C. Goose 42 49 0 6 2 2 40 41
TABLE 16 MILLER LAKE ISLAND NEST SEARCH DATA-1990 CROSBY WMD
* * * N E S T s * * *
SPECIES FOUND DESTROYED ABANDONED SUCCESSFUL
Mallards 35 1 0 34
PintaiIs 1 1 0 0
1 GadwalIs 22 0 2 20
C. Geese 1 0 0 1
c. Production
Table 20 shows the results of this year's four-square mile survey and Tables 17-19 depict 1987-89data. This year's poor recruitment resulted from the almost complete absence of water in the district. Figures for 1987 and 1988 are for Crosby WMD, while 1989 and 1990 figures are for the Crosby and Lostwood Districts combined. TABLE 17 1987 DATA - 4-SQUARE MILE CROSBY WMD
1987
RECRUITS/OWNERSHIP
SPECIES EASEMENT FEDERAL PRIVATE TOTAL
Mallards 15,210 1 ,987 57,691 74,888
Gadwal1 22,538 1,643 91,340 115,521
B. W. Teal 18,866 854 73,050 92,770
Shoveler 12,031 785 48,855 61,671
Pintai1 14,029 510 59,349 73,888
Total 82,675 5,778 330,285 418,378
TABLE 18 1988 DATA - 4-SQUARE MILE CROSBY WMD
1988
RECRUITS/OWNERSHIP
SPECIES EASEMENT FEDERAL PRIVATE TOTAL
Mallards 2,318 505 12,379 15,202
Gadwal1 1,169 133 6,487 7,788
B. W. Teal 0 0 0 0
Shoveler 947 93 5,529 6,568
Pintai1 441 21 2,306 2,768 * Total 4,875 752 26,701 32,327 TABLE 19 1989 DATA - 4-SQUARE MILE CROSBY WHD
1989
RECRUITS/OWNERSHIP
SPECIES EASEMENT FEDERAL PRIVATE TOTAL
Mai lards 7,463 2,647 23,110 33,220
Gadwal1 16,984 3,101 55,098 75,183
B. W. Teal 15,396 1,716 46,474 63,586
Shoveler 8,932 1,296 27,805 38,033
Pintai1 8,600 699 27,676 36,975
Total 57,375 9,459 180,163 246,997 TABLE 20 1990 DATA - 4-SQUARE MILE CROSBY HMD
SPECIES OWNERSHIP
MALLARD EASEMENT FEDERAL PRIVATE TOTAL
Area (sq mi) 1,055.9 113.5 5,643.0 6,812.4 Area Wet (sq mi) 6.3 18.0 40.6 64.9 Wet Ponds 2,369 458 6,591 9,419 Ponds/Area (sq mi) 2.2 4.0 1.2 1.4 Area Wet/Ponds (ac) 1.7 25.2 3.9 4.4 Breeding Pairs 2,059 1,462 7,925 11,447 Pai rs/Area (sq mi) 1.95 12.88 1.40 1.68 Pairs/Area Wet (sq mi) 327.62 81.01 195.34 176.36 Pairs/Wet Ponds . .87 3.19 1.20 1.22 Recruits 767 475 2,514 3,756 Recruits/Area (sq mi) .73 4.18 .45 .55 Recruitment Rate .164
SPECIES OWNERSHIP
GADWALL EASEMENT FEDERAL PRIVATE TOTAL
Area (sq mi) 1,055.9 113.5 5,643.0 6,812.4 Area Wet (sq mi) 6.3 18.0 40.6 64.9 Wet Ponds 2,369 458 6,591 9,149 Ponds/Area (sq mi) 2.2 4.0 1.2 1.4 Area Wet/Ponds (ac) 1.7 25.2 3.9 4.4 Breeding Pairs 2,315 2,079 9,436 13,831 Pai rs/Area (sq mi) 2.19 18.31 1.67 2.03 Pairs/Area Wet (sq mi) 368.37 115.22 429.64 4.54 Pairs/Wet Ponds .98 4.54 1.43 1.47 Recruits 2,248 663 6,866 9,777 Recruits/Area (sq mi) 2.13 5.84 1.22 1.44 Recruitment Rate .353 46
SPECIES OWNERSHIP
B. W. TEAL EASEMENT FEDERAL PRIVATE TOTAL
Area (sq mi) 1 ,055.9 113.5 5,643.0 6,812.4 Area Wet (sq mi) 6.3 18.0 40.6 64.9 Wet Ponds 2,369 458 6,591 9,419 Ponds/Area (sq mi) 2.2 4.0 1.2 1.4 Area Wet/Ponds (ac) 1.7 25.2 3.9 4.4 Breeding Pairs 1,124 691 4,196 6,011 Pai rs/Area (sq mi) 1.06 6.09 .74 .88 Pairs/Area Wet (sq mi) 178.77 38.30 103.43 92.61 Pairs/Wet Ponds .47 1.51 .64 .64 Recruits 975 164 2,656 3,795 Recruits/Area (sq mi) .92 1.45 .47 .56 Recruitment Rate .316
SPECIES OWNERSHIP
SHOVELER EASEMENT FEDERAL PRIVATE TOTAL
Area (sq mi) 1,055.9 113.5 5,643.0 6,812.4 Area Wet (sq mi) 6.3 18.0 40.6 64.9 Wet Ponds 2,369 458 6,591 9,419 Ponds/Area (sq mi) 2.2 4.0 1.2 1.4 Area Wet/Ponds (ac) 1.7 25.2 3.9 4.4 Breeding Pairs 1,252 996 4,949 7,198 Pai rs/Area (sq mi) 1.19 8.78 0.88 1.06 Pairs/Area Wet (sq mi) 199.23 55.22 121.98 110.90 Pairs/Wet Ponds .53 2.17 .75 .76 Recruits 972 175 2,610 3,756 Recruits/Area (sq mi) .92 1.54 .46 .55 Recruitment Rate .261 47
SPECIES OWNERSHIP
PINTAIL EASEMENT FEDERAL PRIVATE TOTAL
Area (sq mi) 1,055.9 113.5 5,643.0 6,812.4 Area Wet (sq mi) 6.3 18.0 40.6 64.9 Wet Ponds 2,369 458 6,591 9,419 Ponds/Area (sq mi) 2.2 4.0 1.2 1.4 Area Wet/Ponds (ac) 1.7 25.2 3.9 4.4 Breeding Pairs 1,445 889 5,395 7,728 Pairs/Area (sq mi) 1.37 7.83 0.96 1.13 Pairs/Area Wet (sq mi) 229.85 49.24 132.98 119.08 Pairs/Wet Ponds .61 1.94 .82 .82 Recruits 659 68 1,935 2,662 Recruits/Area (sq mi) .62 .60 .34 .39 Recruitment Rate .172
SPECIES OWNERSHIP
TOTAL EASEMENT 1 FEDERAL PRIVATE TOTAL
Area (sq mi) 1,055.9 113.5 5,643.0 6,812.4 Area Wet (sq mi) 6.3 18.0 40.6 64.9 Wet Ponds 2,369 458 6,591 9,419 Ponds/Area (sq mi) 2.2 4.0 1.2 1.4 Area Wet/Ponds (ac) 1.7 25.2 3.9 4.4 Breeding Pairs 8,196 6,118 31,902 46,215 Pairs/Area (sq mi) 7.76 53.88 5.65 6.78 Pairs/Area Wet (sq mi) 1,303.83 339.0 786.31 712.05 Pairs/Wet Ponds 3.46 13.34 4.84 4.91 Recruits 5,621 1,545 16,581 23,747 Recruits/Area (sq mi) 5.32 13.61 2.94 3.49 Recruitment Rate .257 48
SPECIES OWNERSHIP
WIDGEON EASEMENT FEDERAL PRIVATE TOTAL
Area (sq mi) 1,055.9 113.5 5,643.0 6,812.4 Area Wet (sq mi) 6.3 18.0 40.6 64.9 Wet Ponds 2,369 458 6,591 9,419 Ponds/Area (sq mi) 2.2 4.0 1.2 1.4 Area Wet/Ponds (ac) 1.3 16.6 1.6 1.7 Breeding Pairs 161 99 599 859 Pai rs/Area (sq mi) .15 .87 0.11 .13 Pairs/Area Wet (sq mi) 25.54 5.47 14.78 13.23 Pairs/Wet Ponds .07 .22 .09 .09
SPECIES OWNERSHIP
G. W. TEAL EASEMENT FEDERAL PRIVATE TOTAL I Area (sq mi) 1,055.9 113.5 5,643.0 6,812.4 Area Wet (sq mi) 6.3 18.0 40.6 64.9 Wet Ponds 2,369 458 6,591 9,419 Ponds/Area (sq mi) 2.2 4.0 1.2 1.4 Area Wet/Ponds (ac) 1.7 25.2 3.9 4.4 Breeding Pairs 803 494 2,997 4,294 Pai rs/Area (sq mi) .76 4.35 .53 .63 Pairs/Area Wet (sq mi) 127.69 27.36 73.88 66.15 Pairs/Wet Ponds .34 1.08 .45 .46
SPECIES OWNERSHIP
WOOD DUCK EASEMENT FEDERAL | PRIVATE TOTAL
Area (sq mi) 1,055.9 113.5 5,643.0 j 6,812.4 Area Wet (sq mi) 6.3 18.0 40.6 64.9 Wet Ponds 2,369 458 6,591 9,419 Ponds/Area (sq mi) 2.2 4.0 1.2 1.4 Area Wet/Ponds (ac) 1.7 25.2 3.9 4.4 Breeding Pairs 0 0 0 0 Pai rs/Area (sq mi) 0 0 0 0 Pairs/Area Wet (sq mi) 0 0 0 0 Pairs/Wet Ponds 0 0 0 0 49
SPECIES OWNERSHIP
REDHEAD EASEMENT FEDERAL PRIVATE TOTAL
Area (sq mi) 1,055.9 113.5 5,643.0 6,812.4 Area Wet (sq mi) 6.3 18.0 40.6 64.9 Wet Ponds 2,369 458 6,591 9,419 Ponds/Area (sq mi) 2.2 4.0 1.2 1.4 Area Wet/Ponds (ac) 1.7 25.2 3.9 4.4 Breeding Pairs 304 310 1,283 1,897 Pairs/Area (sq mi) .29 2.73 .23 .28 Pairs/Area Wet (sq mi) 48.3 17.19 31.62 29.22 Pairs/Wet Ponds .13 .68 .19 .20
SPECIES OWNERSHIP
CANVASBACK EASEMENT FEDERAL PRIVATE TOTAL
Area (sq mi) 1,055.9 113.5 5,643.0 6,812.4 Area Wet (sq mi) 6.3 18.0 40.6 64.9 Wet Ponds 2,369 458 6,591 9,419 Ponds/Area (sq mi) 2.2 4.0 1.2 1.4 Area Wet/Ponds (ac) 1.7 25.2 3.9 4.4 Breeding Pairs 460 434 1,901 2,795 Pairs/Area (sq mi) .44 3.82 .34 •41 Pairs/Area Wet (sq mi) 73.23 24.05 46.85 43.06 j Pairs/Wet Ponds .19 .95 .29 .3°
SPECIES OWNERSHIP
L. SCAUP EASEMENT I1 FEDERAL PRIVATE TOTAL
Area (sq mi) 1,055.9 113.5 5,643.0 6,812.4 Area Wet (sq mi) 6.3 18.0 40.6 64.9 Wet Ponds 2,369 458 6,591 9,419 Ponds/Area (sq mi) 2.2 4.0 1.2 1.4 Area Wet/Ponds (ac) 1.7 25.2 3.9 4.4 Breeding Pairs 1,031 1,290 4,641 6,962 Pairs/Area (sq mi) .98 11.36 .82 1.02 Pairs/Area Wet (sq mi) 164.05 71.47 114.39 107.26 Pairs/Wet Ponds .44 2.81 .70 .74 50
SPECIES OWNERSHIP
RING-NECK EASEMENT FEDERAL PRIVATE TOTAL
Area (sq mi) 1,055.9 J 113.5 5,643.0 6,812.4 Area Wet (sq mi) 6.3 1 18.0 40.6 64.9 Wet Ponds 2,369 1 458 6,591 9,419 Ponds/Area (sq mi) 2.2 1 4.0 1.2 1.4 Area Wet/Ponds (ac) 1.7| 25.2 3.9 4.4 Breeding Pairs 0 0 0 0 Pairs/Area (sq mi) 0 0 0 0 Pairs/Area Wet (sq mi) 0 1 0 0 0 Pairs/Wet Ponds 0 0 0 0
SPECIES OWNERSHIP
RUDDY DUCK EASEMENT FEDERAL PRIVATE TOTAL
Area (sq mi) 1,055.9 113.5 5,643.0 6,812.4 Area Wet (sq mi) 6.3 18.0 40.6 64.9 Wet Ponds 2,369 458 6,591 9,419 Ponds/Area (sq mi) 2.2 4.0 1.2 1.4 Area Wet/Ponds (ac) 1.7 25.2 3.9 4.4 Breeding Pairs 311 264 1,248 1,823 Pairs/Area (sq mi) .29 2.32 .22 .27 Pairs/Area Wet (sq mi) 49.44 14.63 30.77 28.09 Pairs/Wet Ponds .13 .58 .19 .19
SPECIES OWNERSHIP
GRAND TOTAL EASEMENT| FEDERAL PRIVATE TOTAL
Area (sq mi) 1,055.9 113.5 5,643.0 6,812.4 Area Wet (sq mi) 6.3 18.0 40.6 64.9 Wet Ponds 2,369 458 6,591 9,419 Ponds/Area (sq mi) 2.2 4.0 1.2 1.4 Area Wet/Ponds (ac) 1.7 25.2 3.9 4.4 Breeding Pairs 11,265 9,008 44,571 64,844 Pairs/Area (sq mi) 10.67 79.34 7.90 9.52 Pairs/Area Wet (sq mi) 1,792.08 499.16 1,098.58 999.07 Pairs/Wet Ponds 4.76 19.65 6.76 6.88 51
7. Other Migratory Birds
Two mourning dove coo count surveys were completed. The total number of doves heard for each count and comparisons to previous years were as follows:
ROUTE
YEAR DIVIDE COUNTY WILLIAMS COUNTY
1990 49 30
1989 32 57
1988 56 28
1987 31 29
1986 24 24
1985 14 —
1984 16 —
1983 39 —
1982 27 —
8. Game Mammals
White-tailed deer are very common in the district. The frequency of CRP areas across the district has been extremely favorable to deer populations. Since snow cover has been absent for several years, the ND Game and Fish Department has been unable to fly winter deer surveys. Therefore, no accurate population numbers are available.
Mule deer are present in the district but are limited. Southern Williams County, western Divide County, and western Burke County have small numbers. On October 12, two bull moose were reported in separate areas of Divide County. On October 14, a bull moose head was discovered north of Crosby by an upland bird hunter. The moose head proved to be from a legally harvested Canadian moose that was dumped by a pheasant hunter in the area.
Pronghorn antelope are doing well in the district. The first rifle season for many years was held in the eastern part of the district. The numbers of antelope in Divide and Williams Counties are steady to rising. Several herds of 20-30 animals inhabit each county. 52 10. Other Resident Wildlife
Upland game birds including gray partridge and ring-necked pheasants had a very productive year in the district.
No census is done on these two species, but to see 50-100 pheasants in fields next to CRP was common. Their range has expanded with good numbers present from Beaver Lake in central Burke County to the Montana border.
Spring sharp-tailed grouse lek surveys showed a 30% increase in 1990, indicating a fairly strong nesting effort in 1989. A total of 590 males were counted on surveyed leks in 1990, as compared to 440 in 1989. Table 21 shows lek comparisons for the past several years. 53
TABLE 21 SHARP-TAILED GROUSE LEK CENSUS DATA, CROSBY WHD 1981-1990
WATERFOWL PRODUCTION AREA (WPA) 90 89 88 87 86 85 84 83 82 81
1/8 mi W Soo Grade 10 0 22 9 Soo Grade 30 12 15 35 24 28 34 25 DC 39 Faqerland 5 16 38 35 21 24 39 21 19 25 C. Wiqness 32 19 48 51 43 47 DC 34 DC 38 Torqerson 35 18 21 31 38 35 35 18 DC 35 Orawbond 20 15 38 32 28 34 32 24 37 47 Boundary 27 13 68 35 38 33 24 14 DC 28 Stadv 20 17 18 25 15 11 15 24 DC 24
Alamo 28 26 54 62 61 35 53 51 DC 1 47 1/8 mi N Alamo 0 0 22 29 Thomoson 19 11 41 45 41 28 26 12 DC 22 1/4 mi N North Lake 52 35 42 39 36+ 43+ 35 21 DC 39 1/4 mi N LaBountv 21 35 41 49 1 mi W LaBountv (1) 15 15 1/8 mi S Osvold 28 17 31 18 14 13 12 11 8 20 1/8 mi N Twin Lake 8 8 25 23 5 5 10 10 9 — Anderson no no nc 13 16 14 9 8 1/8 mi S Quam 23 12 36 9 0 14 14 13 13 1/8 mi S Mullen 0 2 12 15 13 20 14 14 1/8 mi S Constantine 12 12 12 30 16 27 32 27 1/4 mi S Lindell 8 13 16 45 34 26 Lindell 35 12 18 14 3/4 H S Mullen 28 18 32 23 25 19 35+ Alkabo 22 19 42 53 31 10 12 1/4 mi E Hedlund 9 11 37 32 21 24 30 1-1/2 mi S Orawbond 0 3 13 11 12 12 17 Hamlet 36 23 25 33 23 23 Fenster 0 5 12 33 22 4 Mvhre 0 20 22 6 11 Kittleson 30 17 38 10 4 Zahl (S) 20 31 48 35 1 1 1 1 1 54 H. PUBLIC USE
7. Other Interpretive Programs
Several talks were given to hunter safety students, Boy and Girl Scout groups, and other organizations during the year.
Arrangements were made with Tom Gibson, Bottineau, ND, to portray his "Pierre Bottineau" character for grades K through 12 at Grenora and grades K through 6 at Tioga.
Various news releases covering such topics as private lands programs, hunting seasons, whooping cranes, and furbearer/predation were provided to area newspapers.
A booth featuring the private land extension program display was set up at the Crosby Farm and Home Show in April.
Two grouse blinds were constructed and set up on district grouse leks for use by interested individuals. Ten to fifteen people used the blinds during Apri1.
8. Hunting
Bird hunting for resident upland species was excellent in 1990. Good success occurred for ring-necked pheasants, gray partridge, and sharp- tailed grouse.
The pheasant season attracted fair hunter numbers, especially in the Wildrose area; but hunter numbers were reduced considerably from the opening weekend crowd present in 1989. Perhaps a combination of reasons was responsible for the reduced pressure, including increased gas prices, better pheasant populations throughout the state, and North Dakota's progressive limits. Hunters were allowed a daily bag of two pheasants and a four bird possession limit for the first nine days of the season. After that three birds daily were allowed with twelve in possession.
Duck hunting was good in the limited portion of Divide County that received the heavy July rainfall. Although duck numbers were limited, the light hunting pressure made for successful hunts for the few hunters in the area.
Deer hunting pressure was again very light in the district. Only 2,000 permits were available for the state hunting unit that encompasses a large portion of northwestern North Dakota. Since the deer population was in good shape, hunter success was very high with probably more than 80% of the hunters bagging deer. 55
17. Law Enforcement
Law enforcement is done periodically through the hunting season, primarily on weekends. Since waterfowl hunting pressure was extremely light, little time was spent on law enforcement this year.
Manager Kessler and Bio. Tech Placek spent a week at Marana, Az., for LE In-Service training.
J. OTHER ITEMS
1. Cooperative Programs
Upland game bird brood sightings and grouse lek survey data were provided to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
3. Items of Interest
Seismic exploration activities were non-existent in 1989 in the district. Table 17 shows the number of permits issued for seismic crossing over the last few years. Hand-carry permits are issued with a $100 administrative fee while permits involving vehicle crossing are issued at $400-$600 per mile, depending on the rate paid on private lands in the area of exploration. 56
TABLE 17 SEISMIC SPECIAL USE PERMITS FOR WPAs CROSBY WMD
YEAR NUMBER OF PERMITS
1990 0
1989 1
1988 8
1987 6
1986 2
1985 30 1984 16
1983 22
1982 32
The FWS made revenue sharing payments to counties at 78% of the total allowable. Checks were issued for the following amounts:
Burke County * $31,417 Divide County $9,665 Williams County $6,284
* includes Lostwood NWR and Burke County portion of Des Lacs
4. Credits
The following individuals are credited with writing this report:
Del Pierce - Sections E1 and E5
Tedd Gutzke - Section E6
Toby Placek - 'Section G
Monte Ellingson- Section F14
Tim Kessler - Remaining portions
Gutzke and Kessler edited the report, and Edith Goettle typed and assembled the narrative. SOURIS LOOP BIRDS
NORTH DAKOTA SOURIS LOOP BIRDS Sp S F W Sp S F W Sp S F W
The "Souris Loop" National Wildlife Refuges were established • Great Blue Heron f f f • Sharp-tailed Grouse f f • Long-eared Owl r u r r in 1935. They are Des Lacs (19,554 acres), J. Clark Salyer I I Great Egret o o • Short-eared Owl (I) u u r r (58,700 acres) and Upper Souris (32,092 acres). Important • Yellow Rail r r Snowy Egret o o • Virginia Rail u u Boreal Owl o habitats found on these refuges include restored marshes, • Little Blue Heron o o o • Sora c c Northern Saw-whet Owl o o o remnant tracts of native grass, lowland meadow, impounded _ • Cattle Egret o o o • American Coot a a • Common Nighthawk r r u lakes, wooded sandhills, river bottoms and brush covered _ • Black-crowned Night-Heron f f f 2 Sandhill Crane a T" Whip-poor-will 0 coulees. White-faced Ibis o o Whooping Crane o Chimney Swift o o While waterfowl, pelicans, tundra swans, grouse and cranes are Tundra Swan c a Black-bellied Plover f • Ruby-throated Hummingbird o o o Greater White-fronted Goose f f Lesser Golden Plover f spectacular, a variety of other species of interest may be found. • Belted Kingfisher f f f o _ Snow Goose a a Semipalmated Plover f f Birders come from all over the country looking for Sprague's • Red headed Woodpecker r r r _ Ross' Goose o • Piping Plover r. , r r • Yellow-bellied Sapsucker u r u Pipits, and Baird's and Le Conte's sparrows. In addition, as many _ • Canada Goose a c a o • Killdeer c c • Downy Woodpecker u u u u as five species of grebes may be found. Species found on these • Wood Duck f f f • American Avocet c c Hairy Woodpecker u u u u refuges since 1935 total 293, of which 23 are accidentals, and • Green-winged Teal f u f Greater Yellowlegs f u Northern Flicker c c c o one is extirpated. About 150 species are known to nest on these • American Black Duck o o o Lesser Yellowlegs c c • Mallard a c a o Olive-sided Flycatcher u u refuges. Solitary Sandpiper u u • Northern Pintail a c c o Western Wood-Pewee o o • Willet f f CHECKLIST • Blue-winged Teal a c a • Eastern Wood-Pewee r u u • Spotted Sandpiper f f • Cinnamon Teal o o Yellow-bellied Flycatcher r r • Upland Sandpiper f I Sp—March-May F—August-November • Northern Shoveler a c a Alder Flycatcher o o Long-billed Curlew o S—June-July W—December-February • Gadwall a c a • Willow Flycatcher f f f Hudsoman Godwit u • American Wigeon c u c • Least Flycatcher c c c A nesting species is indicated by a • Marbled Godwit f f • Canvasback c f c • Eastern Phoebe r r r Ruddy Turnstone r _ • Redhead c f c • Say's Phoebe r r r The following abundance categories indicate the peak daily and Red Knot o • Ring-necked Duck f r f • Great Crested Flycatcher o r r season total numbers of birds that may be seen by an active, Sanderling u u Greater Scaup o o • Western Kingbird c c c experienced observer spending at least 8 hours a week sampling Semipalmated Sandpiper a c • Lesser Scaup a u a o • Eastern Kingbird c c a Western Sandpiper o all types of habitat on a refuge. _ White-Winged Scoter o o • Horned Lark a c a c Least Sandpiper c f • Common Goldeneye c c A—Abundant: > 125 per day, > 600 per season White-rumped Sandpiper c I • Purple Martin f f f _ Bufflehead c r c Baird's Sandpiper c f • Tree Swallow c f c • Hooded Merganser f f f C—Common: 25-125 per day, 125-600 per season Pectoral Sandpiper c f Violet-green Swallow o Common Merganser c f Dunlin r • Northern Rough-winged Swallow f f u F—Fairly Common: 5-25 per day, 25-125 per season Red-breasted Merganser o o Stilt Sandpiper f c • Bank Swallow a c a _ • Ruddy Duck a c a • Cliff Swallow a a a U—Uncommon: 1-5 per day, 5-25 per season Buff-breasted Sandpiper o Turkey Vulture o Short-billed Dowitcher u r • Barn Swallow a c a R—Rare: 1-5 per season Osprey o o Long-billed Dowitcher c c • Blue Jay u u u u _ Bald Eagle u u r • Common Snipe f u • Black-billed Magpie f f f f O—Occasional: Small numbers seen every 2-10 years • Northern Harrier c f c • Wilson's Phalarope c a • American Crow a f a o • Sharp-shinned Hawk u r u o Red necked Phalarope a a Common Raven o o o (I)—Irregular species: abundance category indicates highest • Cooper's Hawk r r r o • Franklin's Gull a a • Black-capped Chickadee c c c c number expected. Northern Goshawk o o Bonaparte's Gull r Red-breasted Nuthatch (I) u u o • Broad-winged Hawk u r r • Ring-billed Gull a c • White-breasted Nuthatch u u u u • Swainson's Hawk c f c • California Gull u r Sp S F w Brown Creeper u u r _ • Red-tailed Hawk c f c o Herring Gull r • Ferruginous Hawk r r r • Common Tern f u • Rock Wren r r r Common Loon o o Rough-legged Hawk u u r • Forster's Tern f f • House Wren c c c _ • Pied-billed Grebe f f c _ Golden Eagle r r r • Black Tern a c • Sedge Wren (I) f c f • Horned Grebe f u f • Marsh Wren c c c • American Kestrel f u f • Rock Dove u u u u • Red-necked Grebe o o o • Merlin r u u • Mourning Dove c c a o Golden-crowned Kinglet f f o • Eared Grebe c c a Peregrine Falcon o o Ruby-crowned Kinglet f f • Western Grebe c c c • Black-billed Cuckoo u u Gyrfalcon o o Yellow-billed Cuckoo o • Eastern Bluebird r r r American White Pelican c c c Prairie Falcon r o • Eastern Screech-Owl r r • Mountain Bluebird f r u • Double-crested Cormorant c c c _ • Gray Partridge f f f f • Great Horned Owl u u Townsend s Solitaire o o o • American Bittern u u u _ • Ring-necked Pheasant f f f f Snowy Owl r • Veery f f u Least Bittern o o o _ 1 Greater Prairie Chicken (Extirpated) • Burrowing Owl r r Gray-cheeked Thrush f o Sp S F W Sp S F W Birds that are rarely seen on the refuges and are out of their normal range: Clay-colored Sparrow a a Swainson's Thrush c f Tricolored Heron American Woodcock Hermit Thrush u u Field Sparrow r r Green-backed Heron Black-legged Klttiwake _ » American Robin a c a r Vesper Sparrow c c White Ibis Common Barn-Owl _ • Gray Catbird f f f Lark Sparrow u u Fulvous Whistling-Duck Barred Owl Northern Mockingbird o o o Lark Bunting (I) u u Eurasian Wigeon Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Sage Thrasher o o o Savannah Sparrow a c Winter Wren _ » Brown Thrasher ( ( t Band's Sparrow f f Harlequin Duck Grasshopper Sparrow c c Northern Parula _ Water Pipit t f Oldsquaw LeConte's Sparrow f f Townsend's Warbler • Sprague's Pipit f f u Black Scoter Sharp-tailed Sparrow f f Surf Scoter Hooded Warbler Bohemian Waxwing (I) c c c Fox Sparrow r Red-shouldered Hawk Henslow's Sparrow • Cedar Waxwing u c c u Song Sparrow c f Black-necked Stilt Lesser Goldfinch Northern Shrike u u u Lincoln's Sparrow c Whimbrel • Loggerhead Shrike r r r Swamp Sparrow u r _ • European Starling c f c u White-throated Sparrow a White-crowned Sparrow c _ Solitary Vireo f f Harris' Sparrow c _ • Yellow-throated Vireo u u u Acknowledgements: To Dr. Gordon Berkey and Mr. Ron Dark-eyed Junco a o • Warbling Vireo f f f Martin for their contribution in McCown's Longspur o o • Philadelphia Vireo V . r r r compiling this list. Observers are Lapland Longspur a _ » Red-eyed Vireo c c c Smith's Longspur o encouraged to contact Dr. Berkey, Tennessee Warbler c o u Chestnut-collared Longspur c c Division of Science, Minot State _ Orange-crowned Warbler c c Snow Bunting c University, Minot, North Dakota 58701, Nashville Warbler u u Bobolink c c for information and to share • Yellow Warbler c c c Red-winged Blackbird a a observations. Chestnut-sided Warbler o r Western Meadowlark a a Magnolia Warbler u u Yellow-headed Blackbird a a _ Cape May Warbler o o Rusty Blackbird u _ Black-throated Blue Warbler o o Brewer's Blackbird c f Yellow-rumped Warbler a o a For further mformation about the Souns Loop Refuges, Common Grackle a c Black-throated Green Warbler o o write. Brown-headed Cowbird a a _ Blackburman Warbler o r Orchard Oriole f f Palm Warbler u u Des Lacs NWR Northern Oriole f f _ Bay-breasted Warbler o o P.O Box 578 _ Blackpoll Warbler c f Pine Grosbeak (I) u Kenmare, ND 58746 • Black-and-white Warbler f u f Purple Finch u • American Redstart f u f Red Crossbill (I) u o J Clark Salyer NWR • Ovenbird f u u White-winged Crossbill o P O. Box 66 _ • Northern Waterthrush c r u Common Redpoll (I) a Upham, ND 58789 Connecticut Warbler o o Hoary Redpoll o Mourning Warbler u r Pine Siskin (I) c o Upper Souns NWR Macgillivray's Warbler o o American Goldfinch c c R.R. #1 • Common Yellowthroat c c c Evening Grosbeak o Foxholm, ND 58738 Wilson's Warbler f f House Sparrow c c _ Canada Warbler o o _ • Yellow-breasted Chat r r r 'Last observed in 1956 _ Scarlet Tanager o o 2Nesting recorded at J. Clark Salyer in 1973 Western Tanager o • Rose-breasted Grosbeak f u f Black-headed Grosbeak o o • Lazuli Bunting r r r _ Indigo Bunting o o _ • Dickcissel o o o Prepared by: Gordon Berkey • Rufous-sided Towhee f f f Division of Science American Tree Sparrow a a u Minot State College _ • Chipping Sparrow c u c Minot. ND 58701
GPO 859-050 Printed April 1989 CANADIAN BORDER CROSBY Wetland Management District
A stealthy approach—Black-Crowned night heron. USFWS photo.
U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service
f i.s, "N FISH A WII.IJIJKK AMERKAi
RF-6-62570-1 REPRINTED AUGUST 1988
•U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1 9 8 8-0-57 3-1 67/8 00 07 INTRODUCTION HISTORY
Crosby WMD is divided into three geologic areas. Northern Crosby Wetland Management District (WMD) is located in Burke and northeastern Divide Counties are drift plain, an area Divide, Burke and Williams Counties in northwestern North of large shallow potholes. South of this, the Altamont Moraine Dakota. The District includes over 17,000 acres of Waterfowl complex (Missouri Coteau) is approximately 15 to 30 miles wide Production Areas (WPA's), over 66,000 acres of wetlands and crosses the WMD diagonally from northwest to southeast. under easement contracts, and the 3,219 acre Lake Zahl South and west of the Moraine lies the Coteau Slope, an area National Wildlife Refuge. of land sloping gently to the Missouri River. WPA's and WPA's are lands owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser easements are distributed throughout the three areas and Lake vice and are managed to establish and protect waterfowl Zahl National Wildlife Refuge lies within the Coteau Slope. breeding and nesting habitat. There are 92 WPA's scattered Before settlement, the dominant native vegetation was mixed in the three county district. They vary in size from the 12-acre grass prairie. The most common native shrub was wolfberry Olsen Unit in Divide County, to the 2,270-acre Big Meadow (buckbrush) with rose and buffaloberry also being present. Unit in Williams County. Wetlands have also been preserved Groves of aspen and willow, with an occasional cottonwood, on private property by the purchase of easements from land grew on the rims of wetlands. owners who have agreed not to drain, fill or bum their wetlands. The area was homesteaded in the late 1800's and early There are several hundred easement contracts in the Crosby 1900's with farming the primary land use. Livestock produc Wetland Management District. tion was secondary. The depression of the 1930's forced many The Lake Zahl National Wildlife Refuge is managed primar farmers to sell land and livestock. The early 1940's, however, ily for waterfowl production but it is also used by thousands of ushered in a period of prosperity that caused a boom in small waterfowl and other water birds as a resting and feeding area grain production. Prairie is still being converted to cropland during migration. today.
Canada goose with young. USFWS photo. WILDLIFE
All species of ducks common to the prairie pothole region are present on the District, with the dominant breeders being mallard, gadwall, and blue-winged teal. Giant Canada geese breed throughout the District.
Breeding marsh and waterbirds include double-crested cor morants, black-crowned night herons, four species of grebes, and coots. Migrating whooping cranes are present during April and October. Sandhill cranes also migrate through the area during spring and fall. Shorebirds (and allied species) include common, black and Forster's tern; ring-billed, Franklin's, and California gull. Associated with the prairie wetlands are the American avocet, marbled godwit, willet, sora, common snipe, and upland sandpiper.
Raptors include ferruginous hawk, red-tailed hawk, Swainson's Hawk, marsh hawk, burrowing owl, great-horned owl, and short-eared owl. Both golden and bald eagles migrate through the area in spring and fall and some remain during mild winters. Four species of falcons are frequently sighted during certain seasons. Duck on the wing. Photo by Kent Olson, USFWS Each spring, sharp-tailed grouse gather on "dancing grounds" on many Waterfowl Production Areas. White-tailed deer are abundant throughout the WMD. Pronghorns are scattered throughout the three counties in small herds. Furbearers range in size from the coyote to the least weasel.
"Here's looking at you!" Burrowing Owls. USFWS photo t
Adult whooping crane—endangered species. USFWS photo.
WETLAND MANAGEMENT VISITOR OPPORTUNITIES
Wetlands are unique habitats. As areas for wildlife, they pro All Waterfowl Production Areas are open to hunting, trap vide a diversity of habitat, food, cover and water. As a result ping, wildlife observation, photography, and environmental of high wildlife use, wetlands provide a variety of educational study. You are encouraged to explore the prairie world of the and recreational benefits to people. Wetlands also provide WPA's. Please remember, all motorized vehicles are restricted significant values in the area of flood and erosion control and to section line roads or trails. Camping is not permitted on the water quality. Wetlands retain water during high flow periods, WPA's and there are few opportunities for fishing. slowing it down and allowing it to filter into the groundwater Lake Zahl National Wildlife Refuge is open to archery hunting system. for white-tailed deer in accordance with State seasons. Permis sion from the landowner must be obtained before hunting or Maintaining this diverse system is one of the many manage ment functions of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. On the using easement lands. Crosby WMD, prescribed burning, grazing, planting of native Larger towns provide lodging and small primitive camp grasses, placement of nesting structures for geese, and im grounds are scattered throughout the District. For further in proving or restoring wetlands are but a few of the^ management formation, please contact the Refuge Manager, Crosby WMD, techniques used to provide better habitat for wildlife. North Dakota 58730. Telephone: (701/965-6488). •M I
V1 i
\%lcome to North Dakota! We invite you to take some time and enjoy this unique place which has the best quality of life in the world. It is our home. Stay awhile with us and Discover the Spirit of North Dakota...the spirit of a kind, friendly and intelligent people. You will thrill, as we North Dakotans still do, to the quiet dignity of the International Peace Garden and the rugged beauty of our wondrous Bad Lands. You will be able to see for miles while driving between the prosperous cities of the Red River Valley, famed as the "Breadbasket of the World." You will experience the peace of the prairie and rediscover the glory of night skies filled with stars. Refresh your senses with clean air, clean water and old- fashioned friendliness. North Dakota waits for you. Come, and Discover the Spirit. : •;
Governor buffalo herds are found all across North Dakota. On the coven Visitors ( ^ scenic drive in Theodore Roosevelt! , Photo by CLASTONWOLT
'S if i I ;
• ••IV, %.• vv"r': |; ! /3Vl\ ' i- ipv M m'i .Ms i; ;• ^Tja? i\ i . . 'i i '! The Medora Musical Bad Lands horseback riding North Dakota State Fair at Minot Horse racing at Fessenden Balloon race at Fargo s TroDwood Park Fargo's Edgewood Golf Course
1989'NORTHWEST CENTENNIAL-1990 rnficrE National & International Parks
158 International Peace Garden Dunseith, ND 58329 • (701) 263-4390 B-14 NORTH DAKOTA Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit • Watford City, ND • (701) 623-4466 H-4 Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit • Medora, ND • (701) 623-4466 K-3 •• •• •• North Dakota State Parks 0JN4MINTERNATIONAL HIGHWAY ESSSE0 titUui Beaver Lake • Route 1 • Box 216 • Wishek, ND 58495 • (701) 452-2752 Black Tiger Bay • Route 1 • Box 216 • Devils Lake, ND 58301 • (701) 766-4015 F-17 •• • • Butte View • East of Bowman N-13 • •• • •• • W/M Cross Ranch • Hensler, ND 58547 • (701) 794-3731 W/i Doyle Memorial • South East of Wishek N-16 •• • • • • • • Fort Abraham Lincoln • Route 2 • Box 139 • Mandan, ND 58554 • (701) 663-9571 Ml • eW* Fort Ransom • Box 67 • Fort Ransom, ND 58033 • (701) 973-4331 M-20 • • •• • • • • • Kw Fort Stevenson • Route 1 • Box 41 • Garrison, ND 58540 • (701) 337-5576 Graham's Island • Route 1 • Box 216 • Devils Lake, ND 58301 • (701) 766-4015 F-17 • •• Icelandic • Star Route 1 • Box 64A • Cavalier, ND 58220 • (701) 265-4561 m Lake Metigoshe • Route 1 • Box 359 • Bottineau, ND 58318 • (701) 263-4651 MAP INDEX AND POPULATION STATE POP. 652,695 (1980 CENSUS) AREA: 70,665 SQ. MILES COUNTY SEATS SHOWN IN RED STATE CAPITAL: BISMARCK Abercrombie, 260 ..... M-24 Langdon, 2,335 . . .C-19 Adams, 303 ... D-20 Lankin, 175 ... E-20 MAP NOT FOR SALE Alamo, 122 .... C-3 Lansford, 294 . ..C-10 Complimentary copies of this map will be supplied upon request. Alexander, 358 ....G-3 Larimore, 1,524 ... F-21 Alice, 62 .. . L-22 Larson, 21 . ...B-5 Almont, 146 ..,. L-9 Lawton, 101 ...E-19 Alsen, 169 . ..C-18 Leal, 45 ...J-19 Ambrose, 60 .... B-4 Leeds,678 ...E-16 Amenia, 93 ... K-23 Lehr, 254 . .N-16 Amidon, 43 ... M-4 Leith, 59 . ..N-9 Anamoose, 355 — ...G-13 Leonard, 289 ... L-22 For More Information Aneta, 341 ... G-20 Lidgerwood, 971 .0-23 Antler, 101 . ..B 10 Lignite, 332 .... B-6 on North Dakota and its attractions, contact: Ardoch, 78 . .E-22 Lincoln, 656 ...L-12 Argusville, 147 ... J-24 Linton, 1,561 .. N-13 North Dakota Tourism Promotion Arnegard, 193 ...G-3 Lisbon, 2,283 , . M-21 Arthur, 445 ...J-22 Litchville, 251 ... L-20 Division of Economic Development Commission Ashley, 1,192 0-16 Loma, 39 ..C-18 Bismarck, ND 58505 - (701) 224-2525 Ayr, 42 ...J-21 Loraine, 21 ... B-9 Ludden, 47 .. O-20 In-state toll free: 1-800-472-2100 Balfour, 51 . ..F-12 Luverne, 65 ., .1-20 Balta, 139 .. .E-14 National toll free: 1-800-437-2077 Bantry, 28 .. D-12 McClusky, 658 . .H-13 Barney, 70 .. N-23 McHenry, 113 ..H-18 on hunting and fishing contact: Barton, 38 .. D-13 McVille, 626 . .G-19 on North Dakota State Parks con Bathgate, 67 .. B-21 Maddock, 677 . .F-15 North Dakota Game & Fish tact: Beach, 1,381 ... K-1 Makoti, 199 .... F-8 Department North Dakota Parks & Recreation Belcourt, 1,900 . .B-15 Mandan, 15,513 ...... L-11 Belfield, 1,274 ... K-4 Manning, 42 .... 1-5 100 N. Bismarck Expressway 1424 W. Century Avenue Benedict, 68 . .G-11 Mantador, 76 .. N-23 Bismarck, ND 58501-5095 Suite 202 Bergen, 24 .. .F-12 Manvel, 308 ..F-22 (701) 221-6300 Berlin, 57 ..M-19 Mapleton, 306 ..K-23 Bismarck, ND 58501 Berthold, 485 .... E-9 Marion, 214 .. .L-19 (701) 224-4887 Beulah, 5,612 ....J-8 Marmarth, 190 ...N-2 on North Dakota historic sites Binford, 293 ..H-19 Martin, 114 . .G-14 Bisbee, 257 ..C-16 Max, 317 .. G-10 contact: on the International Peace Garden Bismarck, 44,485 ...... L-12 Maxbass, 141 ..C-10 State Historical Society of contact: Bottineau, 2,829 ..B-13 Mayville, 2,255 ..H-22 North Dakota Bowbells, 587 ... C-7 Maza, 21 ..D-16 International Peace Garden Bowdon, 220 ...1-15 Medina, 521 .. K-16 Heritage Center Dunseith, ND 58329 Bowman, 2,071 ... N-3 Medora, 94 ...K-3 Bismarck, ND 58505 (701) 263-4390 Braddock, 86 . .M-14 Mercer, 134 ...1-12 Briarwood, 47 .. K-24 Merricourt, 17 ..N-18 (701) 224-2666 Brinsmade, 54 . .E-16 Michigan, 502 .. F-20 on road conditioh reports in-state Brocket, 74 , ..E-19 Mitnor, 716 .. N-22 on national park and national Buchanan, 93 .. J-18 Milton, 195 ..C-20 dial toll-free Bucyrus, 32 ...0-5 Minnewaukan, 461. ,. .. F-16 historic sites contact: 1-800-472-2686 Buffalo, 226 .. K-22 Minot, 32,843 .. E-10 Theodore Roosevelt National Park long-distance toll Burlington, 762 ...E-9 Minto, 592 ..E-22 Butte, 157 . .G-12 Mohall, 1,049 ...C-9 Medora, ND 58645 (701) 224-2898 Buxton, 336 . .H-23 Monango, 59 ..N-18 (701) 623-4466 or contact; Montpelier, 96 . • L-18 Calio, 60 ..C-17 Mooreton, 216 .. N-24 Maintenance & Procurement Division Calvin, 61 ..B-17 Mott 1,315 ... M-7 N.D. Department of Transportation Cando 1,496 .. D-16 Mountain, 156 . .C-20 Bismarck, ND 58505-0700 Carpio, 244 ... D-9 Munich, 300 ..C-17 Carrington, 2,641 ...... 1-17 Mylo, 31 . .C-15 (701) 224-2545 Carson, 469 ...M-9 Casselton, 1,661 — ..K-23 Napoleon, 1,103 .. M-15 Map prepared by Cathay, 66 . .H-16 Neche, 471 . B-21 Cavalier, 1,505 .. B-21 Nekoma, 102 ..C-19 NORTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Cayuga, 75 .0-22 Newburg, 151 ..C-11 Office of Transportation Planning Center, 900 .,J-10 New England, 825 ...... L-5 Christine, 147 .. L-24 New Leipzig, 352 . ..N-8 608 East Boulevard Avenue Churchs Ferry, 139. .. . .E-17 NewRockford, 1,791 .. H-17 Bismarck, ND 58505-0700 Cleveland, 130 . .K-17 New Salem, 1,081 ... .. K-10 Clifford, 51 ...1-22 New Town, 1,335 ... F-6 Cogswell, 227 .0-21 Niagara, 76 ..F-20 For price list of full color county maps of North Dakota, write: Coleharbor, 150 .. H-10 Nome, 67 .. L-21 Map Sales, Administrative Services Division, North Dakota Department of Colfax, 10! , .M-24 Noonan, 283 ...B-5 Columbus, 325 ... B-6 North River, 65 ..K-24 Transportation, 608 E. Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58505-0700. Conway, 33 .. E-21 Northwood, 1,240 ... .. G-21 Cooperatown, 1,308 . ... 1-20 Courtenay, 110 ..J-18 Oakes, 2,112 .. 0-20 Crary, 139 . .F-18 Oberon, 150 . .G-16 Crosby, 1,469 ... B-4 Omemee, 10 . .C-13 Crystal, 256 .. C-21 Oriska, 125 ..K-21 Osnabrock, 222 ..C-19 Davenport, 195 . .L-23 Overly, 25 ..C-13 Traffic Rules Dawson, 144 . K-15 Oxbow, 68 .. L-24 Dazey, 143 . .J-19 Deering, 85 .. E-11 Page 329 ..J-21 Motorists can gain emergency assistance by calling 1-800-472-2121 at no long Des Lacs, 212 ...E-9 Palermo, 97 ... E-7 distance charge. Devils Lake, 7,442 .. . ..F-17 Park River, 1,844 ...... D-21 Dickey, 74 ..M-19 Parshall, 1,059 ... F-7 SPEED LIMITS (statutory maximums) — Rural sections of the interstates are Dickinson, 15,924 ...... K-5 Pekin, 101 . .G-19 65 mph. All other sections of the interstates are 55 mph. All other routes are 55 Dodge, 199 ....1-7 Pembina, 673 ..B-22 mph unless otherwise posted. Speed limit on all highways or streets in business Donnybrook, 139 ... D-8 Perth, 20 ..C-15 ...G-9 Petersburg, 230 or residential districts, unless otherwise posted, is 25 mph. Douglas, 112 ..F-20 Drake, 479 ..G-13 Pettibone, 127 .. J-15 RIGHT TURN ON RED LIGHT — Permitted after a complete stop unless ex Drayton, 1,082 . .C-22 Pick City, 264 ...H-9 pressly forbidden. Dunn Center, 170 ...... 1-6 Pillsbury, 46 ..J-21 VEHICLE PARKING — Vehicles must not be parked on the paved or main Dunseith, 625 . .C-14 Pingree, 88 ..J-17 Dwight, 72 . .M-24 Pisek, 156 .. E-21 traveled portions of any rural highway. Plaza, 222 ... F-8 VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS — Must be used at all times between sunset and Edgeley, 843 . .N-18 Portal, 238 ... B-6 sunrise, and at other times when necessary for safe driving. Edinburg, 300 ..D-20 Portland, 627 ..H-22 Powers Lake, 466 ...... D-6 DIMMING HEADLIGHTS — Must be dimmed when meeting or following Edmore, 416 ..E-19 Egeland, 112 ..C-17 Prairie Rose, 76 .. K-24 another vehicle. Elgin, 930 ,.. M-8 OPERATOR'S LICENSES — A North Dakota operator's license is required of Ellendale, 1,967 . .0-19 Rawson, 12 ... G-3 all residents. Non-residents must be properly licensed in their home state and be Elliott, 44 .. M-21 Ray,766 ... E-4 Emerado, 596 .. F-22 Reeder, 355 ...0-5 16 years of age. Enderlin, 1,151 .. L-21 Regan,71 ..J-12 REGISTRATION — Vehicles owned or operated by a resident or a non Epping, 104 ... E-4 Regent, 297 .. .M-6 resident gainfully employed in North Dakota, except for certain military per Esmond, 337 ..F-15 Reile's Acres, 191 ... ..K-24 sonnel, must be registered in this state. Reynolds, 309 .. G-23 Fairdale, 97 . .D-19 Rhame, 222 . . .N-2 REPORTING ACCIDENTS — The operator of every motor vehicle in any Fairmount, 480 0-25 Richardton, 699 . . . K-7 manner involved in an accident within the state of North Dakota in which there Fargo, 61,383 .. K-24 Riverdale, 279 ..H-10 is personal injury or where combined damages of $1,000 is sustained, shall im Fessenden, 761 . .H-15 Robinson, 129 . .J-15 Fingal, 151 .. K-21 Rock Lake, 287 . .C-16 mediately report the matter to local law enforcement. Finley, 718 . .H-21 Rogers, 68 ..J-19 STUDDED TIRES — Can lawfully be used on North Dakota roads from Oc Flasher, 410 . .M-10 Rolette, 667 ..C-14 tober 15 to April 15. Flaxton, 182 ... B-7 Rolla, 1,538 . .B-15 Forbes, 84 .0-18 Ross, 104 ... E-6 RIDING BICYCLES ON THE ROADWAY — Bicycles may be ridden on any Fordville, 326 .. E-21 Rugby, 3,335 ..E-14 road in North Dakota except in a few areas in which they are specifically forbid Forest River, 152 ...... E-22 Ruso, 12 ..G-11 den. These areas carry signs of warning. All the rights and duties of drivers of Forman, 629 0-21 Russell, 18 ..C-11 Fort Ransom, 99 . .M-20 Rutland, 250 .0-22 motor vehicles also apply to bicyclists, who must obey ail traffic laws. Fortuna, 98 . ..B-3 Ryder, 158 ...G-9 REST AREA CAMPING — Camping at highway rest areas is not permitted. Fort Yates, 771 .0-12 PROTECTING CHILD PASSENGERS — Children under three must be prop Fredonia, 82 . .N-17 St. John, 401 . .B-15 .. K-24 erly secured in a car safety seat. Children three, four, and five years old must be Frontier, 160 St. Thomas, 528 ...... C-22 Fullerton, 107 . .N-19 Sanborn, 237 . .K-19 in a car safety seat or seat belt. Sarles, 111 . .B-17 Gackle, 456 ,.,L-17 Sawyer, 417 .. F-11 Galesburg, 165 ... 1-22 Scranton, 415 ... N-4 Gardens, 66 . .C-12 Self ridge, 273 .0-11 EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE Gardner, 94 ...J-23 Sentinel Butte, 86 ...... K-2 Garrison, 1,830 ..H-10 Sharon, 166 . .H-20 DIAL OPERATOR AND ASK FOR Gascoyne, 23 ...0-4 Sheldon, 173 .. L-22 Gilby, 283 ,.. F-22 Sherwood, 294 ... B-9 1-800-472-2121 Gladstone, 317 ... K-6 Sheyenne, 307 . .G-17 Glenburn, 454 . .D-10 Sibley, 21 .. J-20 Glenfield, 164 .. .1-18 Solen, 138 . .M-12 OR CHANNEL 9 ON CITIZENS BAND Glen Ullin, 1,125 , ...L-8 Souris, 122 . .B-12 Golden Valley, 377 ...... I-8 South Heart, 294 ... K-4 Golva, 101 . ...L-1 Spiritwood Lake, 50 .. ..J-18 Goodrich, 288 ...1-14 Spring Brook, 52 ...... E-3 Grace City, 104 .. H-18 Stanley, 1,631 ...E-7 Grafton, 5,293 .. D-22 Stanton, 801 .. .1-10 Grand Forks, 43,765 .. F-23 Starkweather, 210 ... .. D-17 Grandin, 210 ... 1-23 Steele, 796 . . K-14 Highway Patrol Grano, 6 ...C-9 Strasburg, 623 .. .0-14 Granville, 281 , ..E-11 Streeter, 264 . .L-16 Great Bend, 113 . .N-24 Surrey, 999 . ,E-10 District Offices Grenora, 362 ... C-2 Sykeston, 193 ...1-16 Gwinner, 725 N-21 Tappen,271 ..K-15 Law Enforcement Center DOT State Highway District Office Hague, 127 ..0-14 Taylor, 239 ... K-6 512 Fourth Avenue East 503 38th Street South Halliday, 355 ....1-7 Thompson, 785 ..G-23 Williston, ND Fargo, ND 58103 Hamberg, 41 . .G-15 Tioga, 1,597 ... D-5 58801 Hamilton, 109 .. B-22 Tolley, 103 ... C-8 (701) 572-9566 (701) 237-7757 Hampden, 126 . .D-18 Tolna, 241 . .G-19 Hankinson, 1,158... . .0-24 Tower City, 293 ..K-21 DOT State Highway District Office Law Enforcement Center Hanks, 10 ...C-3 Towner, 867 .. E-13 U.S. 2, Bypass East 206 Sixth Street SW Hannaford, 201 ...1-19 Turtle Lake, 802 .. H-11 Minot, ND 58701 Jamestown, ND 58402 Hannah,90 . .B-18 Tuttle, 202 ...J-14 Hansboro, 43 .. B-16 (701) 838-9251 (701) 251-2572 Harvey, 2,527 ..G-14 Undenrvood, 1,329 .. ...1-10 Harwood, 326 ...J-23 Upham, 227 ..D-12 Law Enforcement Center Law Enforcement Center Hatton, 787 . .H-22 222 West Walnut 700 South Ninth Street Havana, 148 .0-21 Valley City, 7,774...... K-20 Devils Lake, ND 58301 Bismarck, ND 58504 Haynes, 58 ...0-6 Velva, 1,101 ,.. F-11 Hazelton, 266 .. M-13 Venturia, 40 ...... 0-15 (701) 662-2527 (701) 224-2255 Hazen, 3,352 .... 1-9 Verona, 126 .. M-20 Hebron, 1,078 ... K-8 Voltaire, 65 ... F-11 DOT State Highway District Office DOT State Highway District Bldg. Hensel, 68 ..C-21 122 South Fifth Street Highway 22 North Hettinger, 1,739 ...0-6 Wahpeton,•9,064...... N-25 Grand Forks, ND 58201 Dickinson, ND 58601 Hillsboro, 1,600 ... 1-23 Walcott, 186 .. M-23 Hoople, 350 .. D-21 Wales, 74 . .B-18 (701) 777-3791 (701) 227-2345 Hope, 406 ...1-21 Walhalla, 1,429 ,. B-20 Horace, 494 ... L-24 Warwick, 108 . .G-18 Hunter, 369 ...J-22 Washburn, 1,767 ...1-11 Hurdsfield, 113 ...1-14 Watford City, 2,119.. ...G-4 West Fargo, 10,564 .... K-24 Inkster, 135 ...E-21 Westhope, 741 ..B-11 Wheelock, 34 ,... E-4 Jamestown, 16,280. , ..K-18 White Earth, 98 ... D-6 Jud,118 .. M-17 Wildrose, 214 ...C-4 Radio Stations Williston, 13,336...... E-3 Karlsruhe, 164 ...F-12 Willow City, 329 . .C-13 Kathryn, 95 ...L-20 Wilton, 950 ...J-12 Belcourt 88.5 KEYA-FM Harvey 1540 KHND-AM Kenmare, 1,456 . . .C-8 Wimbledon, 330 ...J-19 ...1-18 Beulah 1410 KHOL-AM Hettinger 1490 Kensal, 210 Wing, 220 ...J-13 KNDC-AM Kief, 36 . .G-12 Wishek, 1,345 .. N-15 Bismarck 88.9 KMPR-FM Jamestown 93.3 KSJM-FM Killdeer, 790 ....1-5 Wolford, 76 .. D-15 Bismarck 90.5 KCND-FM Jamestown 95.5 KQDJ-FM Kindred, 568 L-23 Woodworth, 137 ... ,..J-16 Bismarck 92.9 KYYY-FM Jamestown 600 KSJB-AM Wyndmere, 550 . .N-23 Kramer, 84 C-12 Bismarck 94.5 KQDY-FM Jamestown 1400 KQDJ-AM Kulm 570 N-17 York 69 E-15 Bismarck 96.5 KBYZ-FM Langdon 1080 KNDK-AM Bismarck 550 KFYR-AM Lisbon 890 KQLX-AM Lakota 963 F-19 Zap 625 1-8 LaMoure 1,077 N-19 Zeeland 253 0-15 Bismarck 1130 KBMR-AM Mandan 104.7 KNDR-FM Landa, 62 B-11 Bismarck 1270 KLXX-AM Mandan 1270 KLXX-AM Bottineau 101.9 KBTO-FM Mayville 101.7 KMAV-FM Bowman 1340 KPOK-AM Mayville 1520 KMAV-AM Carrington 1600 KDAK-AM Minot 97.1 KHHT-FM Devils Lake 102.5 KDVL-FM Minot 93.7 KIZZ-FM Devils Lake 103.5 KZZY-FM Minot 99.9 KBQQ-FM Devils Lake 1240 KDLR-AM Minot 105.3 KZPR-FM Dickinson 92.1 KRRB-FM Minot 910 KCJB-AM Dickinson 1230 KDIX-AM Minot 1330 KHRT-AM Dickinson 1460 KLTC-AM Minot 1390 KRRZ-AM Fargo 91.9 KDSU-FM Minot 1430 KTYN-AM Fargo 93.7 WDAY-FM New Town 91.3 KMHA-FM Fargo 97.9 KFNW-FM Oakes 92.3 KDDR-FM Fargo 101.9 KRRZ-FM Oakes 1220 KDDR-AM Fargo 790 KFGO-AM Rugby 1450 KZZJ-AM Fargo 970 WDAY-AM Tioga 1090 KTGO-AM Fargo 1200 KFNW-AM Valley City 1490 KOVC-AM Grafton 101 KXPO-FM Wahpelon 105 KLTA-FM Grafton 1340 KXPO-AM Wahpeton 1450 KBMW-AM Grand Forks 89.3 KFJM-FM Williston 93.1 KGCH-FM Grand Forks 92.9 KKXL-FM Williston 95.5 KQDJ-FM Grand Forks 94.7 KYTN-FM Williston 96.1 KYYZ-FM Grand Forks 107 JOY-FM Williston 101.1 KDSR-FM Grand Forks 1310 KNOX-AM Williston 1360 KEYZ-AM Grand Forks 1370 KFJM-AM Williston 1480 KGCX-AM Grand Forks 1440 KKXL-AM Wishek 1330 KDRQ-AM REVIEW AND APPROVALS LAKE ZAHL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Crosby, North Dakota ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT Calendar Year 1990 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 5 A. HIGHLIGHTS..Nothing to Report B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS..Nothing to Report C. LAND ACQUISITION 1. Fee Title Nothing to Report 2. Easements Nothing to Report 3. Other Nothing to Report D. PLANNING 1. Master Plan Nothing to Report 2. Management Plan Nothing to Report 3. Public Participation Nothing to Report 4. Compliance with Environmental and Cultural Resource Mandates Nothing to Report 5. Research and Investigations Nothing to Report 6. Other Nothing to Report E. ADMINISTRATION 1. Personnel Nothing to Report 2. Youth Program Nothing to Report 3. Other Manpower Programs Nothing to Report 4. Volunteer Program Nothing to Report 5. Funding Nothing to Report 6. Safety Nothing to Report 7. Technical Assistance Nothing to Report 8. Other Nothing to Report F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT 1. General 6 2. Wetlands Nothing to Report 3. Forests Nothing to Report 4. Croplands 6 5. Grasslands 7 6. Other Habitats..'. Nothing to Report 7. Grazing 7 8. Haying Nothing to Report 9. Fire Management Nothing to Report 10. Pest Control Nothing to Report 11. Water Rights Nothing to Report 12. Wilderness and Special Areas Nothing to Report 13. WPA Easement Monitoring Nothing to Report Page G. WILDLIFE 1. Wildlife Diversity Nothing to Report 2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species Nothing to Report 3. Waterfowl Nothing to Report 4. Marsh and Water Birds Nothing to Report 5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns, and Allied Species Nothing to Report 6. Raptors Nothing to Report 7. Other Migratory Birds Nothing to Report 8. Game Mammals Nothing to Report 9. Marine Mammals Nothing to Report 10. Other Resident Wildlife Nothing to Report 11. Fisheries Resources Nothing to Report 12. Wildlife Propagation and Stocking Nothing to Report 13. Surplus Animal Disposal Nothing to Report 14. Scientific Collections , Nothing to Report 15. Animal Control Nothing to Report 16. Marking and Banding Nothing to Report 17. Disease Prevention and Control Nothing to Report H. PUBLIC USE 1. General Nothing to Report 2. Outdoor Classrooms - Students Nothing to Report 3. Outdoor Classrooms - Teachers Nothing to Report 4. Interpretive Foot Trails Nothing to Report 5. Interpretive Tour Routes Nothing to Report 6. Interpretive Exhibits/Demonstrations Nothing to Report 7. Other Interpretive Programs Nothing to Report 8. Hunting Nothing to Report 9. Fishing Nothing to Report 10. Trapping Nothing to Report 11. Wildlife Observation Nothing to Report 12. Other Wildlife-Oriented Recreation Nothing to Report 13. Camping Nothing to Report 14. Picnicking Nothing to Report 15. Off-Road Vehicling Nothing to Report 16. Other Non-Wildlife Oriented Recreation...Nothing to Report 17. Law Enforcement Nothing to Report 18. Cooperating Associations Nothing to Report 19. Concessions Nothing to Report * ' I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES 1. New Construction Nothing to Report 2. Rehabilitation Nothing to Report 3. Major Maintenance Nothing to Report 4. Equipment Utilization and Replacement Nothing to Report 5. Communications Systems Nothing to Report 6. Computer Systems Nothing to Report Page I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES (continued) 7. Energy Conservation Nothing to Report 8. Other Nothing to Report J. OTHER ITEMS 1. Cooperative Programs Nothing to Report 2. Other Economic Uses Nothing to Report 3. Items of Interest Nothing to Report 4. Credits Nothing to Report K. FEEDBACK L. INFORMATION PACKET (inside back cover) 5 INTRODUCTION Lake Zahl NWR was established in 1939 as a "refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife." The refuge encompasses a total of 3,219 fee title acres and 520 easement acres. The refuge lies at the juncture of the Missouri Coteau and the Missouri Slope. Water flowing from Lake Zahl enters the Little Muddy River which flows into Lake Sakakawea approximately 28 miles south of the refuge. 6 F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT 1. General Table 1 presents habitat types included in the Lake Zahl NWR boundaries. Besides the listed fee title acres, 520 acres of easement refuge lands are also included. TABLE 1 HABITAT TYPES IN ACRES, LAKE ZAHL NWR || WET LAND TYPE II III IV 246 101 1226 iuPLAND ACRES: NATIVE PRAIRIE 1237 BRUSH 169 WOODED 2 TAME GRASS 126 DNC 53 CROP 55 ROAD 4 Springs and run-off influence water levels in the north pool. The south unit's primary source of water is received as overflow from the north unit through a culvert in Highway 50, most of which occurs during the spring. An earthen dike with a stop-log control structure impounds water in the south unit. Extremely dry conditions prevailed throughout the winter and spring of 1989/1990. Runoff into Lake Zahl was negligible. The deeper marshes of the north unit held some water in the spring of 1990 while the south unit was dry. Due to continued drought through the summer, the south unit remained dry for the entire year. Jhe north unit wetlands were significantly depleted and held only limited water by the end of the year. 4. Croplands Cooperator Julian Gunlickson farms a small portion of the refuge to help alleviate deer and waterfowl depredation. The six field divisions in 1990 included 16.6 acres of fallow, 20.9 acres of barley, and 17.6 acres of 7 wheat. Barley totalling 12.7 acres was swathed and left as the FWS share. 5. Grasslands Limited moisture through the year resulted in less than average growth in the refuge's native grasslands. By year's end, soil moisture was almost entirely absent and grasslands were in poor condition. A 36-acre tame grass unit broken out by cooperator Don Gunlickson in 1987 has yet to be reseeded to grass. If moisture conditions improve, the unit may be seeded in 1991. The unit was seeded to small grain in 1990. 7. Grazing Two areas in the north unit were grazed in 1990. A 100-acre unit was grazed at a rate of 52 AUM's from June 1 to 21, and a 170-acre unit was grazed at 84 AUM's from June 22 to July 12 (Photo 1). PHOTO 1: TWO GRASSLAND UNITS WERE GRAZED DURING ' THE SUMMER. TK 8 G. WILDLIFE 3. Waterfowl In 1974, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department released 250 giant Canada Geese at Lake Zahl. Numbers nesting within the refuge steadily increased until the mid-1980s and have since remained stable. New pairs have continued to expand their range both east, west and north of the refuge into coteau wetland habitat. Most of the refuge's nesting geese use artificial nesting structures. Table 2 shows nesting structure use by geese. Several ground and muskrat house nesters also occur although no data for these are available. Due to extremely poor water conditions in 1990, only limited goose production occured; therefore, no structure survey was completed. 9 TABLE 2 PERCENT UTILIZATION OF NESTING STRUCTURE BY CANADA GEESE (NO. USEABLE) o 00 00 y— UNIT 82 83 84 |85 86 87 88 89 North 25 80 50 58 76 J 47 86 100 60 Ihoo * (4) (5) (8) (12) (4) | (15) (16) (10) (15) (8) South 75 57 100 92 93 1 57 57 82 47 50** (8) (7) (10) (13) (15) (14) (14) (11) (15) (14) H I * - Only 8 of 15 structures were checked. ** - 12 of 14 structures were in dry wetland areas; 5 of the structures were used. 10. Other Resident Wildlife A sharp-tailed grouse lek in the north unit was surveyed in April. Twenty grouse males used the lek this year as compared to 48 in 1988 and 31 in 1989. H. PUBLIC USE 8. Hunting The refuge is open to archery deer hunting, concurrent with the state season (except closed from the waterfowl season opener through the first four days of the deer gun season for the area). The refuge received frequent use by area archers, primarily from the Williston area. No deer were known to have been taken by archers in 1990. On December 11, 1990, Lake Zahl was opened to its first upland bird season. Legal game included ring-necked pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, and gray partridge. A large crowd of approximately 180 hunters was present for opening day. Freezing rain and the crowded conditions made for a poor hunt as hunters bagged less than one bird each. The refuge remained open for the remainder of the state season that ran until January 6, 1991. Very little hunting use occurred after the opener, although those few that did hunt reported good success. Special regulations for the late season hunt included foot traffic only and a non-toxic shot requirement.