| Rainwater Basin Conditions Improve |
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| Written by Aaron | |
| Tuesday, 23 October 2007 | |
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LINCOLN, Neb. - Habitat conditions in the Rainwater Basin have improved considerably over recent years, according the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. An aerial survey conducted Oct. 12 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service noted that most stock dams, farm ponds, and streams in the Basin area have water this fall. Above-average rainfall during prior months helped sustain ponding for most wetlands. There were rainfall averages of 3-7 inches per month in the Basin from April through August. Rainfall during the second week of October helped maintain ponding in Clay, Hamilton, York, and Fillmore counties, leaving the western Basin area in need of more precipitation to prevent wetland water loss. In areas that received recent rains, waterfowl should benefit due to flooding of annual weeds that provide a food resource during migration. The inlet sides of farm ponds will provide decent waterfowl habitat this year and wetlands will provide good-to-excellent waterfowl habitat in areas that have flooded annual weeds. Habitat on public lands in the Basin is 40-percent full, providing approximately 7,000 acres of wetland habitat. Farm ponds and stock dams were not included in this estimate. The Rainwater Basin is a complex of wetlands scattered throughout a 17-county area in south-central Nebraska. The wetlands are shallow basins that provide resting and feeding area for millions of birds during spring and fall migrations. Due to decent wetland conditions in the East District, few wetlands will be pumped. The Commission is recommending pumping for the following wildlife management areas: Bulrush, Greenhead, Green Wing, Kissinger, Father Hupp, and Prairie Marsh. The southwest moist soil unit at Mallard Haven Waterfowl Production Area (WPA) also will be pumped. In the West District, the following WPAs will be pumped: Atlanta, Funk Peterson Unit, Funk Pintail Unit, Jones, and Johnson. The Commission is planning on pumping Sacramento-Wilcox and West Sac. Hunters are reminded to scout areas prior to hunting to evaluate actual conditions that may affect success. |
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 23 October 2007 ) |
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