Bu Sf NARMTIVE REPORT PIG. rT0I3E NATIONAL VllLLIFE REFUGE CBTOIf/ILLE, MINNESOTA CALENDAR YEAR, 1972 PERMANEITT PERSONNEL Charles ¥. Gibbcns Refuge Manager Dcnald J. Peterson (EOD June 12, 1972) Assistant Refuge Manager Dennis ¥. Strom (EOD June 12, 1972) Assistant Refuge Manager Eronne T. Mikkelson Clerk-Stenographer Nornaan P. Christensen (EOD May 1, 1972) Maintenanceman TEMPORARY PERSONNEL DarreU D. Haugen (^-17-72/12-8-72) Biological Technician Robert P. Schneck (6-12-72/9-22-72) Laborer UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE BUREAU OF SPORT FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE CONTENTS Page I. GEKERAL A, Establishment and Purpose 1 B« ¥eatber Conditions . • 2 C. Habitat Conditions 3 1. ¥ater 3 2. Food and Cover 1 4. II. WILDLIFE A. Migratory Birds 5 E. Upland Game Birds 7 C. Big Game Animals 7 D. Other Mammals 8 E. Birds of Prey 8 F. Other Birds 9 G. Fish 10 H. Reptiles and Amphibians 10 I. Disease 10 J. Rare and Endangered Species 10 in. REFUGE DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE A. Physical Development II B. Plantings 15 C. Collections and Receipts 17 D. Control of Vegetation 17 E. Planned Burning 17 F. Fires 17 IV. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT A. Grazing 17 B. Haying 17 C. Fur Harvest 17 D. Timber Removal 18 E. Commercial Fishing -• 18 F. Other Uses 18 V. FIELD INVESTIGATION OR APPLIED RESEARCH VI. PUBLIC RELATIONS A. Recreational Uses 18 B. Refuge Visitors 19 C. Refuge Participation 19 D. Hunting 22 E. Violations v 22 VII OTHER ITEMS A. Items of Interest 22 \ i xiiiCAi m&jLTrci. idTmz uq srum jodimhi KiuniT, hefiich. »7iiCiJlT - IB^TXBER 1 ^72 !• GENERAL Er'l&l " Liij fiurprre Elf Etone EV Lefufe is part of the Blf Stone Lake - Whetstone River Project of Minnesota and South Dakota. House Document No. 579, 87th Ccngresss and No. 193, S8th Congress set forth the plans and purposes of this. Water Resource Project and the role of the two Federal agencies involved - the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife and the U.S. Army •Ccrps of Engineers. The Flood Control Act approved October 27, 1965 authorioed the project substantially as recommended in the House Docu­ ments. The Pig Stone Lake - Whetstone River Project is designed to improve conditions on Big Stone Lake by rechanneling the Whetstone River into the Minnesota River; provide flood control benefits to lands downstream on the Minnesota River; and to provide a major National Wild­ life Refuge for migratory birds and other wildlife. The refuge is lo­ cated In Big Stone and Lac qui Parle Counties of west-central Minnesota. In 1937, the Whetstone River was diverted into Big Stone Lake to assist in maintaining the lake level. The original Whetstone River channel by-passed Big Stone Lake and joined the Minnesota River about two miles downstream from the lake. This rechanneling in 1937 has not proven satisfactory as the Whetstone River has become a major source of silt and pollution to Big Stone Lake. To alleviate this problem, several alternative plans have been proposed and studied over the years. The most acceptable plan has been to modify the Big Stone I ake outlet structure, modify the existing silt barrier at the outlet and to place bank erosion control structures where necessary along the lower Whet­ stone River. In addition, an earthen dam will be constructed parallel to Highway 75 some nine miles downstream from Big Stone Lake. The dam would create a water storage area capable of holding run-off from the Minnesota River and thus, provide flood protection to lands further downstream. It would also help alleviate the silting and pollution problems in the lake by allowing some of the run-off to go directly in­ to the storage area, although most of the water will continue to go into Big Stone Lake to help maintain the water level. Through the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, the Bureau recommended the area for inclusion in the National Wildlife Refuge System as it's location in the flyway is important to migratory waterfowl. In addition, the refuge would create waterfowl nesting habitat that would help off­ set the natural habitat lost through drainage. The area lies within the heart of the best remaining prairie pothole habitat in Minnesota and is historically famous for it's waterfowl production. It also lies at the crossroads of several migration routes. A major refuge in this general area has been a Bureau objective for many years, and through the Eig Stone Lake - Whetstone River Project will become a reality. The benefits derived from the refuge when added to the other benefits of the Big Stone - Whetstone Project, comprise 82^ of the total and, therefore; actually justify the project. The Corps of Engineers vill purchase the land, construct the necessary levees and dam, rechannel the Whetstone and Minnesoca Rivers, provide for the relocation of roads and utility lines, and construct the major public use facilities. When the Cooperative Agreement is signed, the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife will manage the area as a Na­ tional Wildlife Refuge assuming all land management responsibilities, further wildlife and recreation developments, and water control as out­ lined in the agreement. The agreement has not been signed, but approv­ al by both agencies is expected in early 1973. Until signed, the Bureau has no responsibilities on the area. When developed, the 10,750 acre refuge will contain about 3300 acres of water and marsh, 150 acres of woodlands, 6000 acres of uplands and granite outcrops, and perhaps 1000 acres of farmland. The Minnesota River flows through the refuge area in a southeasterly direction and is joined by the Yellowbank River within the boundary. The refuge is located on the Minnesota River flood plain which varies from l£ to 3 miles in width and about 150 feet be­ low the level of the uplands. Staffing on Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge was starred in 1971 al­ though the refuge has been in the process of establishment since 1963. Since the Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Amy Corps of Engineers hasn't been signed, few real activities have been or can be accomplished by the Bureau on the area. The first Narretive Report, which was non- circulating, was prepared in 1971. The 1972 Narrative Report will re­ flect most of the major establishment background and activities of the Corps of Engineers and the Bureau in 1971 and 1972. Funds and personnel allocated for the management and operation of Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge were generally utilised on the rewly established Big Stone Wetland Management District during 1971 end 1972. Weather Conditions . , , Table 1 summarizes weather conditions as recorded at the Madisoi Sewage Plant, Madison, Minnesota which is located about 18 miles south of the refuge. Conditions January through March generally were near normal. On April 12, an excess of 1" of rainfall caused extensive flooding in the bot­ toms. Rainfall in May exceeded the average by a wide margin. Summer iind early fall was characteristically dry and hot. The first winter snowfall occurred October 30, when a "short-lived" 1" fell. By December 15, 5" of snow covered the ground. Below normal, sub-zero temperatures occurred between mid November and the first week 3. of December. The first major snowstorm of the year occurred on Decem­ ber 30 when a light rain turned to 7-8" of wet snow. Table 1 1972 Vteather Data ^ Precioitation Max. Min. Month Normal** Snowfall Temp. Temp, January 0.A2 5.1 41 -29 February 0.45 3.5 43 -23 March 1.39 3.0 36 -11 April ^.01 4.5 77 16 May 7.00 .92 , 33 June 1.91 90 42 July *5.?4 92 43 August 2.07 97 43 September .68 96 28 October 2.77 79 11 November 1.37 T 37 4 December 2.34 11.0 43 -23 Annual Totals 29t35 12.6lExtremes 97 -29 *Records from Madison Sewage Plant, Madison, Minnesota. **Not known at this time. C. Habitat Conditions 1. Water Warm weather and thawing conditions in early March caused the lellow- bank and Minnesota Rivers to flood 1,000 - 2,000 acres in the refuge area.. This f]coding,"which occurs yearly, will be maintained by a dam when the refuge is developed. A considerable number of ducks, including 3,000 pintails and 5Q0 Canada geese, were attracted to the u. area during the spring flood. by late March, the Yellowbank and Minnesota Rivers receded consid­ erably from their earlier flood conditions. However, on April 12, an excess of 1" of rainfall, mostly in the watershed in South Dakota, immediately created flood conditions over 1,500 acres. Excessive water conditions in May kept the bottoms wet so that by June 10 only AO/C of the crops had been planted,. Farmers in the area com­ mented that water conditions were the • "Wettest" they had exper­ ienced in years. When the waterfowl season opened October 1, only the rivers and a few small marshes contained open water. Until refuge development is complete, water conditions will remain under the "whims" of na­ ture and the usual water characteristics of a flood plain will exist. No management of water supplies by the Bureau can occur un­ til the Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is signed. Freeze up on the Yellowbank and Minnesota Rivers occurred in early November. Water conditions at this time were near normal. Food and Cover Most of the 10,750 acres of refuge lands were farmed, pastured or hayed up until acquisition, beginning in late 1969. Between 1970 and 1972, much of the land continued to be farmed under use reser­ vations and leases obtained from the U.S.