Impacts of Water Levels on Breeding Canada Geese and the Methodology for Mitigation and Enhancement in the Flathead Drainage, 1984 Annual Report.
The lower Flathead System Canada Goose Study was initiated to determine population trends and the effects of water level fluctuations on nest and brood habitat on the southern half of Flathead Lake and the lower Flathead River as a result of the operations of Kerr Dam. This report presents data collected during the 1984 field season as part of an ongoing project. Geese used Pablo, Kicking Horse, Ninepipe Reservoirs heavily during late summer and fall. Use of the river by geese was high during the winter, when the reservoirs were frozen, and during the breeding period. Most breeding geese left the river after broods fledged. Thirteen percent of the artificial tree nest structures on the river were used by nesting geese. Goose nest initiation on the river peaked the last week in March through the first week in April, and hatching peaked the first week in May. Predation was the most significant cause of nest loss on the river, and nest loss by flooding was not observed. Avian predation was the single largest factor contributing to nest loss on the lake. Habitat use was studied in 4 brood areas on the river and 8 brood areas on the lake, and available habitat was assessed for 2 portions of both the lake and the river. Brood habitat use was significantly different from the available habitat in all areas studied. On the lower river, broods used wheat fields, gravel bars, and shrub habitats. On the upper river, coniferous forest and shrub habitats were preferred. On the West Bay of the lake, brood areas consisted primarily of lawns and tall herbaceous habitat, while on the South Bay, marshes dominated the brood areas studied. Water levels on the river and lake affect both accessibility of these areas to brooding geese, and the ecology of the habitats preferred by geese. 43 refs., 24 figs., 31 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation
- Sponsoring Organization:
- United States. Bonneville Power Administration.
- DOE Contract Number:
- 1983BP10062
- OSTI ID:
- 5465396
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/BP-10062; R&D Project: 1983-002-00; ON: DE85016230
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Impacts of Water Levels on Breeding Canada Geese and the Methodology for Mitigation and Enhancement in the Flathead Drainage, 1985-1986 Annual Report.
Effects of Water Levels on Productivity of Canada Geese in the Northern Flathead Valley, 1985 Annual Report.
Related Subjects
DAMS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
GEESE
POPULATION DYNAMICS
HABITAT
LAKES
MONTANA
PRODUCTIVITY
REPRODUCTION
ANIMALS
BIRDS
FEDERAL REGION VIII
FOWL
NORTH AMERICA
SURFACE WATERS
USA
VERTEBRATES
Canada geese - Montana - Flathead Lake - Reproduction
130600* - Hydro Energy- Environmental Aspects