Spring Habitat Conditions 2002
By DU Field Biologists
Following a mild, dry winter, wetland habitats have deteriorated across much of the breeding grounds
1. British Columbia Near normal winter precipitation has created much improved habitat conditions for breeding waterfowl in the province. With a few exceptions, snow levels in the mountains should be sufficient to provide enough runoff to sustain water levels throughout the breeding season.
2. Alberta Below normal snowfall and extremely low soil moisture conditions produced little or no runoff across much of Alberta. On the prairies, waterfowl habitats range from poor in the east to fair in the west. In the parklands, wetland conditions gradually improve as you move north and west. Heavy spring rains will be needed to fill many wetlands depleted by drought.
3. Saskatchewan Across much of Saskatchewan, a poor frost seal and below normal precipitation have produced fair to poor habitat conditions for breeding waterfowl. In the west, soil moisture levels are so low that many farmers may not be able to plant crops this spring. The only bright spots are small pockets of good habitat in the east and along the U.S. border. Heavy spring rains will be required to improve habitat conditions across the majority of the province.
4. Manitoba Dry weather has also taken a toll on wetlands across this province. On the prairies, habitat conditions are rated fair to poor, while, in the parklands and boreal forest region, wetlands remain in fair to good shape.
5. Ontario Habitat conditions are good to very good for breeding waterfowl across much of Ontario, with the exception of the south, where wetlands are rated fair. Although recent spring storms have provided much needed moisture in this region, more precipitation will be needed to maintain water levels throughout the breeding season.
6. Quebec Below normal winter precipitation has left wetlands in fair to good shape across southern portions of the province. In the interior and the north, habitat conditions are rated good to very good.
7. Atlantic Provinces Recent spring storms have helped to recharge wetlands and groundwater supplies throughout much of this region. With little spring flooding expected along river systems, habitat conditions should be very good to excellent throughout most of this region.
8. North Central U.S. Following a warm, dry fall and winter, wetland habitats have deteriorated across much of the northern plains. For the first time in eight years, only fair habitat conditions exist in much of North Dakota and South Dakota. Drought persists in eastern Montana and northeastern Wyoming, where habitat conditions are generally fair to poor. Farther east, March snows have produced good habitat conditions in northern Iowa, western Minnesota, extreme north central Nebraska, and southern and eastern South Dakota. Significant spring precipitation will be needed to maintain existing habitat for breeding waterfowl on the U.S. prairies.
9. Western U.S. Habitat conditions have improved across much of the West, especially in the Sacramento Valley, Klamath Basin, and western Washington and Oregon. In the Great Basin, however, many wetlands are still recovering from drought. In Alaska, habitat conditions are fair along the coast and good in the interior.