Effects of Early Water Application on Waterfowl Production

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Abstract
Records of nests and broods on the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge, Colorado [USA] suggested that waterfowl production was high in years when water was available prior to spring migration. If sufficient water was not available until after spring migration, low production could be expected. To test this hypothesis, a 241-ha habitat unit on the Refuge was divided into 2 plots; the experimental plot was flood-irrigated 2 wk before the peak of migration. This treatment was applied alternately to the plots during two 3-yr periods and one 2 yr period. Numbers of nests and production of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), pintails (A. acuta), shovelers (A. clypeata), teals (A. discors, A. crecca and A. cyanoptera) and gadwalls (A. strepera) were significantly greater (P. < 0.05) on one plot when early water was applied. The inability to draw down water levels sufficiently on the other plot was believed to be the reason duck production was not significantly greater on both plots during years of early water application. Economic and management implications are presented.

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