fish springs narrative reports january-december 1963 …

FISH SPRINGS NARRATIVE REPORTS JANUARY-DECEMBER 1963

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KAHRATIVE BEPCBT BCOTXHG SUP / K xm FISH SPRINGS IBRIOD September-December 1963

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NARRATIVE ESPCHT

Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge Dugway, Utah

For the Period

September - October - November - December

PERSONNEL

Lyle A0 Stemmerman . . . « Refuge Manager

Ronald L, Perry Refuge Manager Assistant (trans, out 12/1/63)

Robert L. Pearson . o . • Refuge Manager Assistant (trams, in 12/1/63)

Kathryn V. Sabey Clerk-typist (SOD 10/10/63)

Kelly H. Parker Maintenanceman

Jiramie Layland Maintenanceman (SOD 12/9/63)

Jimmie Layland Grader Operator (temp. term. 12/7/63)

Walter C. Card Dozer Operator (temp. term. 11/29/63)

Charles F. Timm Truck Driver (temp. 10/8-11/16/63, laborer 9/23-10/7 and 11/18 to present.

Clyde B. Peay Laborer (temp. SOD lO/lk/63)

Micheal Bunker Laborer (temp. term. 9/21/63)

Robert H. Riding Laborer (temp, term. 9/1V63)

Ricky J. Lee Laborer (temp. term. 9/1V63)

BRANCH OF ENGINEERING

Charles T. Bostick Civil Engineer (Departed Station December 17, 1963)

U. S. DSP wF TxAi INTERIOR ij'ISli Ai';D WILDLII HJ ±'^-J

BUREAU OF SPORT FISHERIES. AND WILDLIFE

NARRATIVE REPORT Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge

Dugway, Utah

September - October - November - December

I o GENERAL

A. Weather Conditions

Precipitation Temperature Evaporation Tot. Wind

Month ppt. Normal Max. Min. in inches movement

Sept. 1.13 0o6k 98 9o28 1,637**

Oct. O0O8 1.01 90 32 7.23 2,298

Novo 1.26 o93 68 21 - 2,609

Dec. 0.0^ .18 M j. - 2,069

Totals 2.32 2o78 16.31 8,013

* The normal is from a twelve year record kept by the Dugway Proving Grounds Meteorological Section and is itself a composite from records of many rain guages scattered throughout the vast desert proving grounds.

** Anemometer not functioning for seven days during the month.

Precipitation for the period was slightly lower than the assumed normal for this area. Most of our moisture occured during two short periods, one in September and the other during raid November. In September, temperatures were still high enough to provide for rapid evaporation and the ground was soon dry. The moisture received during November was followed by cold weather and many days of fog. As a result, the ground was slow to dry and all construction work was seriously disrupted. During November and December, the refuge received 10 inches of snow.

Total precipitation received during the year was 8.63 inches. This is just slightly higher than the assumed normal of 7*95 inches.

In general, temperatures have not been as cold this winter as those recorded during a corresponding period last year. Overcast skies and days of total fog have been much more numerous and have given one the feeling of an extremely cold winter.

2. Habitat Conditions

1. Water. General water conditions remained fairly constant over the refuge throughout the year, with A and H pools containing an estimated

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1,175 surface acres being the only impounded waters. In raid December, H pool was dewatered to facilitate the construction of F pool dike and the gravel facing of H dike. This reduces our impounded waters to an estimated 750 acres and will make the area even less attractive to water-fowl. The loss of H pool will be especially felt as it was the main waterfowl feeding area prior to drainage, supports late winter use by whistling swans, and is the primary area for goose production.

When evaporation lessened in raid fall, the rapid increase in available water was most noticeable. A rapid increase in pool depths occured almost overnight. Stop logs were lowered, water diverted from one drain to another, and other measures taken to maintain the status quo of the marsh.

During the period, a solu bridge was purchased from the Industrial Instrument Corporation. This machine gives the michrorahos/cm reading for any specific body of water, and is an index to the total soluable salt content of the water. The readings taken thus far have been quite interesting. The water in the collection ditch (near the spring source) has been producing a reading of 2,800 - 3,100 michromhos/cm. This same water at the end of the main canal and drain some 7 miles distance exhibits a reading of 4,000. Water impounded in A and H pools show readings varying from 4,350 to 16,000. The average reading of impounded waters is approximately 6,000 raichrorahos/cm.

Though the solu bridge has not been in our possession long enough to establish any management points based on salinity changes, we believe the accumulation of this data will eventually be quite valuable.

2. Food and Cover. Waterfowl food was quite abundant during the period. The majority of waterfowl feeding was sustained by the heavy growth of widgeon grass prevalent in the South end of H pool before that area was dewatered.

An excellent stand of nut grass was present at the mouth of the main canal and drain. This area, because of construction contracts, could not be flooded until late in the period. By the time water was applied, the majority of the seed had scattered out. Waterfowl use was, however, made of this area.

The refuge v/as not subjected to the sub zero temperatures prevalent last year. Though the marsh was frozen over from late November, there was enough open water area available to sustain the population. Good stands of widgeon grass were observed in these open water areas at the close of the period.

Ducks taken at the end of the hunting season were in excellent shape. The situation this winter is much improved over the starvation conditions that prevailed last year. Continuing cold weather will, however, cause feeding problems as open water areas are gleaned of food.

We were unable to flood the millet crop produced in last summer's experimental farming operation and waterfowl use of this crop was, therefore,

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non-existant. We did get goose use on the experimental winter forage that was produced. This use occured in late Dederaber and was confined to the rye. Our barley crop froze out in early November. The protection from freezing offered by the slough was sufficient to allow for the rye to remain partially green throughout the period. Indications are that rye may be well suited to providing winter forage at this station.

II. WILDLIFE

A. Migratory Birds

1« Waterfowl. Duck use for the period was down slightly from that of last year. Nearly all species occured in numbers lower than those recorded in 1963c The resulting use figure would have been much lower were it not for the occurance of 2-3,000 pintail on the refuge during the forepart of the period. Pintails are the only species of ducks that have shown a steady increase in use since the refuge was established.

Fall use by coots continues to increase each succeeding year. This year's use was tv/ice that recorded in the fall of 1963*

It is hoped that weather conditions this winter will allow us to precede with construction so that the marsh pools can be put into operational status by late spring or early summer. The refuge has contained less than 2,000 acres of waterfowl habitat since January of 1962. Because of construction scheduling, water management for waterfowl has frequently been of secondary priority and oft times non-existant. In summation, we have not had an effective refuge here for two years and the continuing decrease in use by most species of dabblers is cause for some concern. Completion of present development work and the commencement of crop and v/ater management can and will reverse that trend.

The presence of two Snow Geese for one day accounted for fall use by migratory geese. At the close of the period, there were 78 Canada Geese residing on the refuge in the wild. These birds are the result of our captive goose flock management program.

Ten whistling swans arrived on the refuge late in December. The dewatering of H pool prevented further build up by this species.

2. Other Water and Marsh Birds. Common Mergansers appeared on the refuge during the fall months for the first time since the fa-11 of 1939» Between 10 and 30 of the birds v/ere present for 3 weeks during the middle of the period.

Use by other species of marsh and water birds was very nearly the same as that recorded in the past. Exceptions are as follows; the western grebe was not recorded during the period. There was a definite increase in the fall use of the refuge by snowy egpets. Several species of shore birds are listed for the first time for this period. These are species that v/ere added to the refuge bird list last summer.

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The refuge is believed to contain relatively high populations of sora rail, Virginia rail, and american bitterns. To date, we halfe been unable to obtain a reliable estimate of their populations.

3. Doves. About 30 doves concregated at the goose pen during the early part of the periodo They were absent from the area after the 23th of September. Callao, 23 miles west of the refuge, builds up a population of several thousand doves during September and October, The existance of trees and agricultural crops at Callao is the main reason for the population differences in the two areas.

B. Upland Game Birds None.

C. Big Game Animals

Fresh tracks showed that one mule deer crossed the refuge neax the Callao road. This indicates that a small transient herd was still inhabiting the Fish Mountains as of the end of October.

D. Fur Animals, Predators, Rodents, and other Mammals

During December an inventory v/as made of muskrat houses throughout the marsh. Despite the drying out of much of its habitat and frequent changes in water manipulation, this species has been able to survive our erratic management during the construction phase. Using a figure of rats/den or burrow, the December inventory resulted in an estimate of 1630 muskrats.

When the refuge was first established in 1939» there were an estimated 3,000 rats on the area. Since that time 3,09^ muskrats have been removed during the annual fur harvest programs.

The main diet of muskrats at Fish Springs is Olneyi's bulrush (Scir us Olneyi)„ The fact that 75^ of this species has been killed due to de-watering v/ill greatly alter the status of the muskrat at this station. Our present management concept is to maintain their population at a low status until we are able to appraise their position in the altered habitat. Accordingly, a permit will be issued next fall calling for the removal of 300 rats in the more densly populated areas.

The long-tailed weasel is quite plentiful within the marshes. As the value of their fur is low, and we are not aware of any predator pressure exerted by them on waterfowl, no control measures are contemplated at this time.

Populations of the main refuge predators are increasing. Resident coyote populations are still low. The resident population was, however, augmented during the fall by the arrival of transients following the fall sheep drive. The increase in sign and sighting of Bobcats indicates a relatively high population of this species. The service of a government trapper will be secured during the coming spring to reduce the number of Bobcats.

The population of other predators and rodents appears normal.

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E. Hawks, Eagles, Owls, Crows, Ravens, and Mapcpies

The longer one works in this particular field, the more apt he will become in the art of field identification of birds. With a reasonably alert mind and increasing experience, it is possible to venture forth unencumbered with a copy of "Peterson." With even greater accumulation of experience, it becomes fairly easy to differentiate the various species of birds on the basis of a casual glance. To one who has reached this pinacle of unaided field identification, the sight of a new assistant struggling with Petersons field guide is oft times amusing.

It became apparent during the period that birds identified last period as barn ov/ls were actually short-eared owls.

The two golden eagles that normally winter on the refuge, departed the area at the end of September and did not return until the end of the period. Several instances of waterfowl predation by these two have been observed.

Marsh hawks and roughlegs were, as usual, the most common avian predators. Marsh hawks were frequently observed feeding on coot carcasses. It is not known whether the hawks made the kill or picked up the bird after it had died of natural causes. The latter situation is probably correct, because this type of observation is confined to cold weather periods when the marsh is frozen over and starvation is occuring in the coot populations.

G, Fish

No significant changes in the populations of desert chub.

H. Reptiles

The migration of gopher snakes back to the Fish Mountains for winter hibernation occured over a short period of time. The majority of the movement took place between October 8 and 10. During this time, 15 of the snakes were killed.

I. Disease

The outbreak of Botulism reported in the preceding narrative continued until mid September before it dissipated. After subsiding considerably during late August, the die off flared up again during the first part of September. The mortality occuring during September was included in the figures presented in the May - August narrative.

III. REFUGE DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE

A, Physical Development

1. Contract #312< Marsh Development Phase III. By early fall, the progress on this contract had deteriorated to a snail's pace, and many of the completed structures were unacceptable. It became apparent to the contractor that he could not complete the job on schedule. Mr. Dewsnup

6

engaged a sub-contractor for concrete work, and a sub-contractor for a portion of the earth work. The two sub-cpntractors commencing in early October showed good progress. Mr. Dewsnup was, however, still unable to show progress on the majority of the earth work retained for completion by his organization.

In mid October, the bonding company stepped in and forced Mr. Dewsnup to relinquish his contract to them. Much time was lost in doing this and more good working weather slipped by while the bonding company located a suitable contractor to complete the job. The remainder of the contract was awarded to the Ford & Gregory Company of Smithfield, Utah. They were able to just get under way when November storms forced a shut down of the work.

To date, the job is roughly 80^ complete. Had the job been kept on schedule, it would have been completed early in December. With 40 working days required for completion, there is a possibility that the completion of this work will not take place until June 30, 196^. We are, however, hoping for a late winter break in the weather to allow for completion during January and February. A quick wind up of this phase of the development is mandatory if we are to engage in any effective management programs next season.

An itemized break down of the work covered by this contract and its status as of December 31» 1963, is provided.

Dikes

Dike Length Cu. Yds. Cost Dec. 31 status Contractor

D 6,500' 3^,2^1.3 13,729.97 Complete Barben Bros.

E 13,72^' 113,25^.91 32,8^3.92 Complete w/ Stanley shaping work Dewsnup required

F 7,^0' Vf,923.8 13,028,^8 5% complete Ford 8c Gregory

G 10,200* 31,^86.4 1^,931.06 Complete Barben Bros.

I 6,300* 25,677 ol 7,^6.36 1 Complete Stanley Dewsnup

J 6,300* ^3,232.1 12,317.31 90% complete

Stanley Sewsnup Ford 8c Gregory

Note; Dikes F, D, 8c I are equiped with kOO' spillways.

Ditches

Ditch Length Gu. Yds. Cost Dec. 31 status Contractor

E 2-E-6 1,376 1,850,0 f 536.50 'Excavated-shaping required

Stanley Dewsnup Ford & Gregory

D 3-13 2,162 1300,^2 Excavated-shaping & burm const,

required


I 3-6L7 739 3,308,8 959-92 Complete Stanley Dewsnup

F 3-13 ^,982 11,61^.9 3368.32 Excavated-shaping & burm const,

required


G 8-G 9 1,800 2,268.7 657.92 Excavated-shaping & burm constr.

required


E 5 col. ditch

7,206 19,7^.2 5725.82 Excavated-shaping required


12 ditch D 3-13

1,381 2,800,00 783-00 0^ complete Ford 8c Gregory

F ^ ditch F 3-15

2,^5 11,500.0 3335.00 0% complete Ford 8c Gregory

Structures

No. Cu. Yds. 1 Cost Dec. 31, 1963 status Contractor

ex. 1 3A 595.0 All concrete W, A. Harmon structures

ex. 2 3ok 595.0 complete «t

ex. 3 8.3 1452.5 tt

ex 60^ 1120o0 11

ex. 3 22.8 3990.0 it

ex. 6 24.9 4347.5 it

ex. 7 24.8 43^.0 it

C - 6 22.8 3990.0 ti

D - 3 28.4 4970o0 11

Structures (cont'd) 8

No,

D - 5

E - 3

E - 3

E - 7

F - 3

F - if

F - 6

G - 2

G - 7

G - 8

H - 7

1 - 3

1 - 3

J - if

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lif

13

Cu. Yds. Cost Dec. 31 status Contractor

2if.9

22 o 8

23o2

2ifo9

2if«9

21 o2

12.7

22.8

13o2

8.2

lif.if

21.2

8.2

21.2

22.1

^3.3

21.7

^7o3

3990.0

it060.0

^3^703

^7.3

3710.0

3222.3

3990.0

2310oO

Iif33o0

2320.0

3710.0

lif33.0

3710.0

3867.3

7612.3

3797.3

W, A. Harmon

Stanley Dewsnup

Wo A. Harmon

Stanley Dewsnup

W. A. Harmon

it

Stanley Dewsnup

W. A. Harmon

Stanley Dewsnup

W. A. Harmon

After the completion of this contract, the refuge will enter into an equipment rental contract for the graveling of the tops and faces of dikes completed under contract #312. This Job will involve the spreading of approximately 70,000 cu. yds. of gravel and will require 3 - ̂ months to complete. This work and some mescellaneous force account construction will complete the development of the refuge.

2. Contract #lif-l6-0Q02-330. Equipment Rental. During the period, a contract was awarded for the rental of rubber tired scrapers and two D-8 cats for the purpose of road construction and road graveling. Mr. Dewsnup, was successful bidder on the gratf^l haul. Aware of his being awarded the contract in late July, through procrastination and delay, Mr. Dewsnup put off the starting date until September 2^. His equipment operated Vk days, long

9

enough for us to ascertain that it was unacceptable. On October 8, the Berben Brothers Construction Company took over this contract in Mr, Dewsnups behalf and, after a 2^ month delay, the work got under way.

The majority of the work accomplished v/as that of gravelling 9.6 miles of road. We utilized a gravel pit on B, L, M. land by permit for this work.

The gravel in this pit contains a high amount of binder and is ideally suited for road capping. In applying the gravel, the refuge provided a motor grader to spread and shape the cap and a water truck to moisten the binder so that a well compacted road bed was developed. The entire job was under the supervision of the refuge maintenanceman. As was the case last year, we found that to maintain a road that could sustain heavy scraper traffic, it was necessary to provide a gravel cap in excess of that required for ordinary vehicle traffic.

The face of A pool dike was given an eightX inch facing with the coarser material found in the headquarters gravel pit. This was done to prevent wave errosion of the dike. Other work accomplished was the reconstruction of 2,6 miles of county road that crosses the refuge near the South boundary the construction of ,8 miles of road to link the county road with the East end of A pool dike. The headquarters area was completely revamped to make the area more attractive and to provide for better drainage, The headquarters entrance was relocated to the north and the large high in front of the office lowered. A large fill v/as made in front of the oil and generator houses so that the entire service area is now on a level. The hills and valleys behind the residences were leveled out and the material dumped in front of the residence to provide a base for future lawn fill. After the area was reshaped, the entire headquarters area, except areas to be planted to lawn, was given a V coat of pea sized gravel. The completion of this work greatly improved the appearance of the headquarters.

An itemization of the work performed under this contract follows

unit Gu. Yds,

Equipment rental cost

Station forceaac nostf?

Total ;nt.

cost

Cost/ Cu, Yd.

cost/ unit

Gravel road from Thomas House to junction

3.7

mi.

72^8 3,090,20 681.26 3,771.46 ^0.32 Si,019

Gravel road from junction to Harrison pool dike

1,6

mi.

3838 2,918.^2 ^73.92 3,392,49 0,58 2,120

Gravel road from junction to end of N. Spring drair

1*3

mi.

2^65 1,303.33 414.68 1,720.23 0,69 1,323

Gravel county rd. from East bench to Gate #1

2.8

mi.

6300 4,Vf3.63 72k}o30 3,184.13 0.79 1,833

(continuation) 10

Gravel trash pit road

.2 196 mi.

127.76 4.62 132,38 SO.67 1 ̂ S 666

Reconstruct county road from east bench to Gate #1

2.6

mi.

10,150 3,026.31 355.44

25.00

1,674.51 0.33

0.32

1,300

Construct A pool entry road

0.8 mi.

3,498 1,101.93

355.44

25.00 1,126.93

0.33

0.32 1,408

Shape hdqtrs. area

— 1,976 742.60 0.0 742.60 0.36 —

Gravel hdqtrs. area - 1,174 670.74 177.72 848.46 0.72 -

Gravel A pool dike face

70001 2,982 ft. ^

3,760.94 88.86 J 3,849.80 1.29 0.55

Total - 42,02? 21,188.20 2962.00 23,150.20

3. Contract #14-16-0002-351 - Construction of Sheep Drift Fence. A con-tract tffor the construction of 51,856 feet of stock proof fence was let during the period. The fence is situated inside the refuge boundary and is designed to fence stock using the sheep driveway from the managed portion of the refuge. The construction of the fence also gives us excellent control over public ingress and egress to the refuge. The fence is constructed with "penta" treated pine posts, 2 upper strands of barb wire, and 32" woven wire net. The fence complete with three gates cost ^20,653<>84.

Mr. Dewsnup also bid our fence job, but was fortunately unsuccessful. Roberts & Anderson of Pleasant Grove, Utah, were successful bidders. This job progressed well and the completed work was quite good,

4. Miscellaneous Force Account Construction. Miscellaneous construction work consisted of installing 11 corrigated metal pipes of various sizes at defferent locations throughout the refuge to facilitate the drainage of run off water. Fence stays were installed in 480 rods of the sheep drift fence, and approximately 30 cu. yds, of peat moss mulch were collected from the marsh for future use in tree plantings around the headquarters area. Additional work wa.s performed to build up the pads around the 4 residences, office, and guest house on which lawn fills will be placed in the future.

3. Operation & Maintenance. As a soil and moisture project, 350* of diversion ditch was constructed to prevent silitation of the frog farm springs, the diversion ditch constructed west of the headquarters area was reshaped, and 20 small check dams were constructed in the South end of the refuge to retard gully errosion.

Four acres of refuge slough were deep plowed preparatory for farming operations next spring. Two small dams were constructed within the sloughs

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to allow for flooding of the resulting crops. Fire lanes were constructed around additional sloughs which will be burned and plowed during the coming period.

In addition to routine equipment maintenance, major overhauls were performed on the ton jeep and the 19^6 Ford Stake truck. The prime mover on the Lorain crane was torn down for a major overhaul to take place next spring. A trip was made to Bosque Del Apache Refuge to pick up a Minneapolis Moline model 2ASI tractor aquired for us by the San Andres Refuge.

B. Plantings

1. Aquatics and Marsh Plants. None

2. Trees and Shrubs. None &

3. Upland Herbacious Plants. None

k. Cultivated Crops.

The condition and.effect of existing cultivated crops was discussed in the section on food and cover.

C. Collection and Receipts

1. Seed and other Propaonles. One hundred ten pounds of Alkali bulrush seeds (Scirpus paludosus; were harvested by hand during late October. This seed matured several weeks earlier than last year and we missed much of the crop because of shattering. The seed will be hand broadcasted in H pool basin next spring.

2. Specimens. None

D. Control of Vegetation

During the period, 2,791 salt cedar (Tamarix pentandra) seedlings were hand grubbed and or treated with Kuron. This brings the total of salt cedars treated in this manner to 1^,000 for the year. As the control program was confined to hand gradiCation of isolated trees and new seedlings, no cost or acerage figures were kept. At this time, we are sure that all adult trees have been removed. The amount of seedlings we had to deal with this year exceeded our expectations, though we are hopeful for a decrease next year. If we are able to stay on top of the seedling control, the eventual disappearance of salt cedar from Fish Springs is within sight.

Four acres of marsh cane (Phragmites Communis) were sprayed in the fore / part of the period. Total acres treated during the year were l8. Dense \J healthy stands of Phragmites located in the North Springs drain area were /^k sprayed until dripping wet with a mixture of 2 lbs. of Amino Triazol/30 gallons of water. The treatment appeared to be 100% effective at the close of the spraying season.

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The resulting cost/acre of the season's control work was exorbitant. This high cost/acre arrose from three factors: lo The high cost of the chemicals used. 2. The necessity of spraying until dripping wet, stems that are 5 and 6 feet tall. 3- The safety precaution of preventing laborers from walking through the stand as they are spraying.

Next year, we intend to try mowing the phragraites and spraying after re-growth reaches a height of 6 inches. This will eliminate factors 2 and 3. We also intend to experiment with Dowpon, a much cheaper chemical.

v

Last year's operations are summarized as follows:

Cost of chemical

Labor costs $1,156

Equipment costs 8 27

Total costs 83,523

Acres treated 18

cost/acre 8195.67

E. Planned Burning

Limited to burning off slough areas prior to land preparation.

F. Fires None.

IV. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

A. Grazing None.

B. Haying None.

C. Fur Harvest None.

D. Timber Removal None.

E. Commercial Fishing None

F. Other Uses

There was no activity in connection with the refuge peat moss lease throughout the entire year. This lease expires on November 30, 1963 and it presently appears that the leasees do not plan to develop their holdings.

The frog farm leasee was active through the first week of September and returned to the refuge once during late September. No other activity was noted.

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By the close of the period, Mr. Shriber had not chosen the 100 acres on which he wishes to operate. The area is staked out and the resulting map awaits his signature.

V. FIELD INVESTIGATIONS OR APPLIED RESEARCH

The status of the captive goose flock remained about the same during the period. In early December, we released 32 two year old birds and 9 three year olds. Throughout the fall, there were only 18 birds existing in the wild. This v/as the result of 25 birds released and 18 produced in the wild. In mid December a sharp increase was noted in the released flock. The fact that the new arrivals frequented the goose pen (a habit not shared by wild birds) leads us to believe that they are released birds, that have returned to the refuge. This means no losses occured in our released flock during the preceding year.

The status of the captive goose flock as of December 31? 1963, is as follows.

Description Received • Present Dead Released

Pinioned 39 29 10 0 May-June 63 6? 16 33 l8 May-June 62 ^4-9 6 3 ^+0 May-June 6l 50 6 Zk 20

205 56 70 *73

• 78 geese were censused in the wild as of December 31» 1963.

VI. PUBLIC RELATIONS

A, Recreational Uses

Recreational use of this remote station is always minor. During the year a total of 3,831 visitor days were logged. The great majority of this use was accounted for by the various contractors engaged in development work and the connected official visits. Only 179 visitor days were logged for purely recreational purposes.

B. Refuge Visitors

Pate

9A-5/63

9/5/63

9/25-26/63

9/25-26/63

Fritz Forrester-EE branch, Dugway

Ernest Morris-BSF&W Engineering

Earl Spendlove-SCS, Nephi

Bill Brand-USGS, Salt Lake

Mosquito Trapping

Contract Inspection

Plan Soil & Moisture Program

Measure Flow-South

OA

9/12/63 Fred Pomel-BSF&W PARC Check Getter Line

10/10-11/63 Golden Mangleson-SGS, Nephi Survey for S & M Program

10/16/63 Tony Obstedull-BSF&W Engineering Inspect Buildings

10/16/63 Windford Clark-BSF&W Engineering Constructed by

10/16/63 Elmer Nitzrche-Dept. Int. Ralph ChiIds

10/16-19/63 Ernest Morris-BSF&W Engineering Contract Inspection

10/23-11/2/63 Ernest Morris-BSF&W Engineering Contract Inspection

11/6/63 Lynn A. Greenwalt-BSF&W R. 0. Courtesy

11/13-16-63 Gerald Nugent-BSF&W, Bear River Party

11/23-26/63 Ernest Morris-BEF&W Engineering Contract Inspection

12/16/63 Eugene Bartnicki-BSF&W, PARC Discuss Predator Control

12/16-18/63 Ernest Morris-BSF&W Engineering Contract Inspection

12/26/63 Don Andviano-Utah Fish & Game Courtesy

12/26/63 Norman Hancock-Utah. Fish & Game Courtesy

We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to those few brave individuals that were gracious enough to partake of our hospitality.

The station combination guest and crews quarters provided for 331 man days lodging during the period. Most of the occupants were temporary employees though many of the visitors listed above v/ere housed overnight.

C. Refuge Participation

The refuge manager attended a meeting at Dugway Proving Grounds with the post engineering officer, relative to drawing up a wildlife management program for the installation. An additional meeting was set up for early January.

Do Hunting

The refuge hunting area drew 3^ hunters during the season. An estimated l^A ducks were bagged for an average of 2.8 birds/hunter trip or 1 bird per hunter houro The success from jump shooting was relatively high. Blind shooting was, however, extremely unrewarding due to the scarcity of hunterso

Hunter success was quite good the forepart of the season. A lowering of the impounded waters within the hunting area later in the season made the area less attractive to the waterfowl. This water manipulation was necessary for construction v/ork. An estimated k2 birds were lost through crippling.

15

E, Violations

On two occasions, numerous coots were shot in the hunting area and no effort made to retreive themo The carcasses were found sometime after the violations occured.

F. Safety

Two formal safety meetings were conducted during the period. The first dealt primarily with circular letter subject, safety dated 8/29/63. The discussion pointed out that the immediate supervisor of temporary help was responsible for the safe conduct of the job being performed and the safe work habits of the personnel concerned. The station safety program was also reviewed and the responsibility of each individual employee stressed. Several miscellaneous safety instructions were given. The second meeting dealt with manual release 20-6 "Tort Claims."

The quarterly station safety inspection was performed during the period as v/ere the 3»000 mile safety inspections on motor vehicles.

There were no accidents during the period. The current station safety record stands at 1089 accident free days.

VII. OTHER ITEMS

Items of Interest

For the first time since establishment, the refuge is fully staffed. On October 1^, Miss Kathryn Sabey was appointed to the position of refuge clerk. We imagine the clerks in regional office welcomed the filling of this position as much as we did.

On December 9» Mr. Jimraie Layland was appointed to the position of maintenanceman, Mr. Layland had been employed by this station in a temporary capacity since March 25.

On December 1, Mr. Ronald L. Perry transferred to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Ron performed his duties here admirably and will now become familiar v/ith the people problem, a privilege he was denied at Fish Springs.

Mr. Robert Pearson arrived on the refuge December 6th from Tishomingo to assume the position left vacant by Mr. Perry.

The addition of the Pearson's and Layland's brought our small people population to 12, Until now playmates were at a premium.

16

•B# Photographs and NR Forms

Appended

Reviewed by;

Chief, Division dr Wildlife

Approved by;

3-1750 Form MR-(Rev. Max oh 1953)

n n W A T E H F O W L

REFUGE Fish Springs MONTHS OF September TO January t 19 6^5

^

W e e k s o f r e p o r t i n g p e r i o d (1)

Species : : « g «

t s s « 8 8 9 ! 10

Swans t Whistling Trumpeter

Geeset Canada Cackling Grant White-fronted Snow Blue Other





. 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19













Ducks: Mallard Black Gadwall Baldpate Pintail Green-winged teal Blue-winged teal Cinnamon teal

260 520 525 550 275 500 hn5 Ducks: Mallard Black Gadwall Baldpate Pintail Green-winged teal Blue-winged teal Cinnamon teal


1 3


1 6 3 70 50 165 125

IT oo

60 50


320 1,260 675 2.550 1.600 650 600 900 1 r 200 525


200 910 625 253 550 185 225 250 275 ^50


3

Ducks: Mallard Black Gadwall Baldpate Pintail Green-winged teal Blue-winged teal Cinnamon teal 213 Mf5 115 130 100 100 125 Shoveler Wood Redhead Ring-necked Canvasback Scaup

15 15 10 Shoveler Wood Redhead Ring-necked Canvasback Scaup

Shoveler Wood Redhead Ring-necked Canvasback Scaup

72 70 90 55 75 50 10 2



3 1 3

Shoveler Wood Redhead Ring-necked Canvasback Scaup 10 3 Goldeneye Bufflehead Ruddy 0therComraon Mergin-

Coots

Goldeneye Bufflehead Ruddy 0therComraon Mergin-

Coots

6 k Goldeneye Bufflehead Ruddy 0therComraon Mergin-

Coots

2 2 25 1 20 k


Coots

11 10 2k 50


Coots 2,025 6,500 6,650 6,700 ^,300 6,000 k,koo 3,006 2,500 1.930


Coots

3 -175A»

Cont. k..-l (Rev. March 19^3) W A T E R F O W L

(Continuation Sheet)

REFUCT1 Fish Springs MONTHS OF September TO January , 19 63

(1) Species :

(2) ^ : W e e k s o f r e p o r t i n g p e r i o d ;

(3) Estimated : waterfowl : days use :

(U) Production

(1) Species :

: : : : : : : : 11 ; 12 : 13 : Hi 15 J 16 : 17 : 18 :

(3) Estimated : waterfowl : days use :

Broods:E stimatec seen : total

Swans: Whistling Trumpeter

Geese: Canada Cackling Brant White-fronted Snow Blue Other

Ducks: Mallard Black Gadwall Baldpate Pintail Green-winged teal Blue-winged teal Cinnamon teal Shoveler Wood Redhead Ring-necked Canvasback Scaup Goldeneye Bufflehead Ruddy OtheiComraon Mergan

ser

Coot:

10 5 2 2 133 Swans: Whistling Trumpeter



ser

Coot:




ser

Coot:

19 19 20 19 56 37 63 78




ser

Coot:




ser

Coot:




ser

Coot:




ser

Coot:




ser

Coot:




ser

Coot:




ser

Coot:

555 520 520 ^+90 ¥tO 551 395 383 31,206 r




ser

Coot:




ser

Coot:

5 5 15 86 37 ^5 66 1,59^




ser

Coot:

25 20 30 25 H

CO

32 10 5.194




ser

Coot:

500 500 350 510 535 505 2k6 213 93.081




ser

Coot:

2^0 l80 2^5 kko 551 3if5 360 3^3 45.101




ser

Coot:

35




ser

Coot:

8.610




ser

Coot:

k l^f 8 6 480




ser

Coot:




ser

Coot:

10 2h 16 5 1 1 3,377




ser

Coot:




ser

Coot:

1 1 1 1 87




ser

Coot:

1 117




ser

Coot:

1 1 10




ser

Coot:

7 119




ser

Coot:

8 3 6 6 6 2 . 2 601




ser

Coot:




ser

Coot: 1,800 1,700 1.650 1,380 1,320 1,075 666 380.978

(ov er)

re) re) Total Days Use : Peak Number : Total Production

: : SUMMARY

Swans 133 : 10 • •

Geese 3,193 i 78 : :

Ducks :

209,607 S 3,193 : :

Coots :

380,978 ! 6,700 • •

:

Principal feeding areas

Springs drain

A pool - H pool and North

Principal nesting areas

Reported tgr

J t V

le A. Stemmerraan, Refuge Manager

(1) Species:

INSTRUCTIONS (See Sees. 7531 through 753U, Wildlife Refuges Field Manual) ' -

In addition to the birds listed on form, other species occurring on refuge during the reporting period should be added in appropriate spaces. Special attention should be given to those species of local and national significance.

( 2 )

(3)

(li) Production:

Weeks of Reporting Period:

Estimated Waterfowl Days Use:

(5) Total Days Use:

(6) Peak Number:

(7) Total Production:

Estimated average refuge populations.

Average weekly populations x number of days present for each species.

Estimated number of young produced based on observations and actual counts on representative breeding areas. Brood counts should be made on two or more areas aggregating 10£ of the breeding habitat. Estimates having no basis in fact should be omitted.

A summary of data recorded under (3),

Maximum number of waterfowl present on refuge during any census of reporting period.

A summary of data recorded under (U).

Interior Duplicating Section, Washington, D. C,

1953 ' 6 2 g ?

3-175. Form NR-1A (Aug. 1952)

n

Re f uge Fish..Springs

( 1 ) Species

Common Name

I. Water and Marsh Birds: Eared Grebe Pied Billed Grebe White Faced Ibis American Bittern Great Blue Heron Snowy Egret Black Crowned Night

Heron Virginia Rail Sora

II. Shorebirds. Gulls and Te rns:

California Gull Common Tern Black Tern Northern Phalarope Avocet Black Necked Stilt Common Snipe Dowitcher Bairds Sandpiper Western Sandpiper Greater Yellow Legs Lesser Yellow Legs Willet Killdeer Snowy Plover

(2 ) First Seen

Numbe r Date

6 15 2 2 5 55

15 pre-pre-

9/11 10/9 9 / k 9A 9A 9A

9A ient i ent

5 15 5

15 20 55 1 5 10 20

2 15 1

15 2

9A 9A 9/18 9A 9A 9A 9A 9A 9A 9A 9A 9A 9A 9A 9A

•X ; f ' j • ' '

MIGRATORY BIRDS (Other than Waterfowl)

Months of .September to.. 196.3—.

(3) Peak Concentration

(4) Last Seen

(5) Production

(6) Total

Number Inclusive Dates Numbe r Date

Number Total # Colonies! Nests

Total Youns

Estimated Use

10 15 3 3 7 55

30 pres pre^

5

25 25 35

9 20 10 100 2 ~ 15 1 ko 2

9/22 10/9 9/25 12/17 9/11 9/1

12/17 ent ent

numerous

9/25

Iff 12/26 10/16 9A 10/10 numerous 9A 9A 9/25 9A

10 9 3 3 if 10

30 pre pr€

3 l|

25 3 35

9 20 10 100 2 7 1 1 2

9/22 12/26 9/25 12/17 J 12/26 10/16

12/17 sent sent

9/26

Iff 9/25

JK18

12/26 10/16 9A 10/10 9/26 10/16

9A 11/27 9/̂

"20 "'35 3 35 12 70

85 200 250

15 15

50 75 50 200 60 10 150 10 25 10 150 15

(over)

m (2) (3) (4) (5) ' 6 )

III. Doves and Pigeons: Mourning dove 25 9 A - 50 9/25 50 9/25 50 White-winged dove - ' : - • r ;

IV. Predaceous Birds: Golden eagle 1 9/18 2 numerous 2 9/26 2 FHi-ek-hawk Ma±sh Hawk 10 9A 20 11/20 15 11/26 50 •Horned owl Coopers Hawl 1 10/5 1 numerous 1 9/26 1 Hagpi-e Red Tailed Hawk

1 9A ' 10 10/9 k 9/26 20 •Craw Prairie Falcon k 9/25 k 9/25 1 11/26 10 Sparrow Hawk 1 9/25 2 9/26 2 9/26 25 Short Eared 0wl 50 10/10 50 10/10 5 11/20 1 12/15 65 Great Horned Owl 1 9/25 • 1 9/25 1 9/25 • 5 Raven 6 9A 6 9A v. 2 12/26

•A/y L/

15

94 •

Reportec i by Jy yle Stemm erraan

INSTRUCTIONS (See Sec. 7532. Wildlife Refuges Field Manual) (1) Species: Use the correct names as found in the A.O.U. Checklist, 1931 Edition, and list group in A.O.U.

order. Avoid general terms as "seagull", "tern", etc. In addition to the birds listed on form, other species occurring on refuge during the reporting period should be added in appropriate spaces. Special attention should be given to those species of local and National significance. Groups: I. Water and Marsh Birds (Gaviiformes to Ciconiiformes and Gruiiformes)

II. Shorebirds. Gulls and Terns (Charadriiformes) III. Doves and Pigeons (Golumbiformes)

- IV. Predaceous Birds (Falconiformes, Strigiformes and predaceous Passeriformes) .. :

(2) First Seen: The first migration record for the species for the reporting period.

(3) Peak Numbers: Estimated number and inclusive dates when peak population of the species occurred. .«>,

(4) Last Seen: The last refuge reco%d for the species during the season concerned.

(5) Production: Estimated number of young produced based on observations and actual counts.

(6) Total: Estimated species days use (average population X no. days present) of refuge during the reporting period.

Interior—Duplicating Section, Hashington, D. C. 2S014

3-1750c Form ' -IC

(Sept. I960)

Refuge Fish Springs

n "WATERFOWL HUNTER KILL SURVJ

Year 1963

(1) Weeks of Hunting

(2) No. Hunters Checked

(3) Hunter Hours

(W

Waterfowl Species and Nos. of Each Bagged

(5) Total Bagged

(6} Crippling Loss

(7) Total Kill

(8) Est. No. of Hunters

9/29-10/5 11 25 21 Mallards: 3 Pintails: 2 Green-winged Teal: 3 unknown

29 12 4l 18

10/6-10/12 7 35.5 10 Mallards: 6 Pihtails: 1 Shoveler: 3 unknown

20 2 22 7

10/13-10/19 No activity-

10/20-10/26 No activity

10/27-11/2 6 27 10 Mallards: 6 Pihtail: 1 American Widgeon: 1 unknown

18 8 26 6

11/3-11/9 2 4 2 Mallards 2 0 2 2


11/17-11/23 7 8 16 Mallards: 10 Green-winged Teal: 3 Pintails

29 0 0 7

11/24-11/30 7 : 25.3 5 Mallards: 1 Shoveler: L Goldeneye 7 1 8 7

12/1-12/7 2 4 1 Mallard 1 3 4 2

12/18-12/14 1 7 1 Green-v/inged Teal 1 1 2 4


12/22-12/28 3 9 5 Mallards: 2 Pintail: 1 American Widgeon

8 5 13 3

12/29-1/14 3 6 2 Gadwall: 1 Pintail: 1 Mallard 4 0 4 6

Totals 49 151 71 Mallards: 21 Pintail: 13 Green-winged Teal: 2 American Widgeon: 2 Shovelers: 2 Gadwall: 1 Goldeneye: 7 unknown

(over)

119 32 151 64

(9) Est. Total

Kill

66

22

0

0

26

2

0

29

9

k

8

0

22

8

196

INSTRUCTIONS

(1) The first week of hunting begins with opening day and ends at the close of hunting 6 days latero Successive weeks follow the same pattern.

(2) The goal is to survey a minimum of 25 percent of refuge hunters each week and to record data .'only from those who have completed their day's hunting. This information should be collected during each day of the week and in each area hunted in relative proportion to the hunter effort expended. When the 25 percent goal cannot be achieved, particular care should be taken to collect representative data,

(3) Record the total number of hours the hunters spent hunting on the refuge, N

(h) -List waterfowl species in decreasing order of numbers bagged. Sample entry? Mallard (6l), Pintail (36), Redhead (16), Gadwall (ll). Widgeon (6), Coot (10, Canada Goose (3), Green-winged Teal (l).

(5) Record total numbers of waterfowl bagged, V

(6) Record total numbers of waterfowl reported knocked down but not recovered.

(7) Total of Columns 5 and 6.

(8) Estimate the total number of hunters who hunted on the refuge during the week, including hunters checked (Column 2),

(9) Kill sample projected to 100 percent. Column 9 = n°iTTmr! ?' x Column 7.

80348-̂ 0

3 *1 form NE~5 DISEASE

Refuge Fish Springs

Botulism

Period of outbreak August l%b through September 13^

Period of heaviest losses August 20 through 23

Losses: Actual Count Estimated

(a) Waterfowl 390 ^0 (b) Shorebirds 31 100 (c) Other 9 100

Number Hospitalized No. Recovered % Recovered

(a) Waterfowl % kk 79 (b) Shorebirds 10 0 0 (c) Other o 0 0

Areas affected (location and approximate acreage) South end of H pool (375 acres)

Water conditions (average depth of water in sickness areas, refloodtng of exposed flats,etc.

Average depth 231• Feather edging prevalent around entire infected area. Water lowered 6" August 23^. No significant change in die off. 2nd summer pool had been flooded. First summer water fed through upper end of pool. This summer water fed into pool near dike creating stagnant lake in which outbreak occured.

Condition of vegetation and invertebrate life

Little invertebrate life. Vegetation primarily widgeon 'ass

irst Known outbreak on this area. Other water

areas not infected. Recovery rate obtained without antitoxin.

Tear 19. 63

Lead Poisoning or other Disease

Kind of disease

Species affected

Number Affected Species Actual Count Estimated

Number Recovered

Number lost

Source of infection

Water conditions

Food conditions

Remarks

INT.-DUP.. D.C.-*33! 9r59

NR-6 Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife

PUBLIC RELATIONS

(See Instructions on Reverse Side)

Refuge Fish Springs Calendar Year 1965

1. Visits a. Hunting b. Fishing 0

la. Hunting (on refuge lands)

Number of permanent blinds 0

Man-days of bow hunting Included above 0

Estimated man-days of hunting on lands adjacent to

refuge

1c. Miscellaneous Visits

Recreation 121 Official 366

Economic Use 3.086 Industrial 0

c. Miscellaneous 3^777 d. TOTAL VISITS 3.831

TYPE HUNTERS ACRES MANAGED BY

Waterfowl 3,000 BSF&W

Upland Game 0 -

Big Game 0 mm -

Other

lb. Pishing (area open to fishing on refuge lands) 0

TYPE OP AREA ACRES MILES

Ponds or Lakes

Streams and Shores

2. Refuge Participation (groups)

TYPE OP ORGANIZATION NO. OP

GROUPS

NUMBER IN

GROUPS NO. Of

GROUPS'

NUMBER IN

GROUPS

Sportsmen Clubs

Bird and Garden Clubs

Schools

Service Clubs

Youth Groups

Professional-Scientific 1

Religious Groups

State or Federal Govt. 2 3

Other

Other Activities

TYPE NUMBER TYPE NUMBER

Press Releases 0

Radio Presentations 0

Newspapers .

(P.R.'s sent to) 0 Exhibits

0

TV Presentations 0

Est. Exhibit Viewers 0

3-1756 (Rev. V63)

I

INSTRUCTIONS

Item 1: Total of a, b, and c, equal d.

"Visit" - definition. Any person who is on refuge lands or waters during a day or part thereof for the purpose of; hunting, fishing, bird-watching, recreation, business or economic use, official visit, or similar interest. INCLUDE - those, who stop within the refuge while traveling on a public highway because of an interest in the area. EXCLUDE - persons engaged in oil or other industry not directly related to the refuge, persons using refuge as most direct route or principal avenue of traffic, and those boating on navigable rivers or the Intercoastal Canal, unless they stop to observe wildlife on the refuge.

Computing visits. Where actual counts are impractical, "sampling" is used with midweek and weekend samples varied by season or weather. A conversion factor of 3-5 (of passengers per car) is used when accurate figures are not available. Each refuge will develop a conversion factor for boats based on range of usage. Count a camper once for each 2^-hour period or fraction thereof.

Item la: Acres - of refuge open for each type of hunting.

Managed hunts require check in and out of hunters, issuance of permits, or assignment of blinds.

Other - INCLUDE crow, fox, and similar hunting.

Lands adjacent to refugev Normally-considered within 1 mile or less of boundary, unless established sampling procedures cover a wider area. For big game hunting, the distance may be greater.

Item lb: Acres of streams open to fishing, if practical; otherwise just miles open. Information on "shores" is primarily for coastal fishing.

Item 1c: Recreation. INCLUDE photography, observing wildlife, picnicking, swimming, boating, camping, visitor center use, tours, etc. TOTAL Recreation, Official, and Economic. Use visits under Item 1.

Industrial. INCLUDE persons engaged in industry, i.e., oil industry or factories. EXCLUDE these from Item 1. J U

Item 2: INCLUDE the "On Refuge" groups in Items 1c and 1. In "Off Refuge" column include only those group meetings in which refuge employees actually participate. EXCLUDE these from Items 1c and 1.

Item 3: Exhibits - INCLUDE displays, fairs, parades, and exhibits OFF the refuge; EXCLUDE those ON.

319 02

3-175 Form NK-7 (April 1946)

PLANTINGS (Marsh - Aquatic - Upland)

Refuge -Year 195.

Species

Giant Pascal Celery

Scirpus Paludosus

Scirpus Paludosus

Scirpus Acutas

Gcirpus Acutas

Location of Area Planted

scattered throughout refuge

H pool

A pool

H pool

A pool

Rate of Seeding

or Planting

1 lbc/700 sq. ft.

N/K

N/K

root stocks at 6' intei vale.

root stocks at 6' tervals

m-

Amount Planted

(Acres or Yards of Shoreline

3,500 sq. ft.

12,0001 of shoreline

5,000' of shoreline

5,000' - of dike

face

8,000* of dike face

Amount & Nature of Propagules

5 lbs. of seed

65 lbs. of seed

35 lbs. of seed

835 root stocks

1,335 root stockg

Date of Planting

Vl/63

V23/63

V23/63

6/7/63

6/5/63

Survival

90̂

10/

65/

25/

73/

Cause of Loss

N/K

seed not flooded

N/K

water depth to great 1 +

N/K

Remarks

growth extremely tunted. No seed production, cause; high

alkalinity

Flooding enhances germination. De-watering & occasional irrigation improves growth Be seed production

TOTAL ACREAGE PLANTED: Marsh and aquatic Hedgerows, cover patches... Food strips, food patches. Forest plantings

Interior—Duplicating Section, Washington, D. C. 24315

3-1758 Form Nx > Fish ana Wildlife Service Branch of Wildli . Refuges (Rev. Jan. 1956)

CULTIVATED CROPS - HATING - GRAZING

Refuge Fish Springs County Juab State Utah

Permittee1 s Government1s Share or Return Green Manure^ Cultivated Share Harvested Harvested Unharvested Total Cover and Water

Crops Grown Acres Bu./Tons Acres Bu./Tons Acres Bu./Tons

Acreage Planted

fowl Browsing Crops Type and Kind

Total Acreage

Milo N/K 135 6 0 6 Bonneville Barley 2

White Proso Millet 3 120 bu. 3 Rye 1

Fallow Ag. Land 17

No. of Permittees: Agricultural Operations 0 Haying Operations 0 Grazing Operations 0

Hay - Improved (Specify Kind)

Tons Harvested Acres

Cash Revenue

GRAZING Number Animals

AUM«S Cash Revenue

ACREAGE

0 1. Cattle 0

2. Other

0

1. Total Refuge Acreage Under Cultivation 29

Hay - Wild 0 2. Acreage Cultivated as Service Operation 29

DIRECTIONS FOR PREPARING FORM NR-8 CULTIVATED CROPS - HAYING - GRAZING

Report Form NR-8 should be prepared on a calendar-year basis for all crops which were planted during the calendar year and for haying and grazing operations carried on during the same period.

Separate reports shall be furnished for Refuge lands in each county when a refuge is located in more than one county or State.

Cultivated Crops Grown - List all crops planted, grown and harvested on the refuge during the reporting period regardless of purpose. Crops in kind which have been planted by more than one permittee or this Service shall be combined for reporting purposes.

Permittee1 s Share - Only the number of acres utilized ty the permittee for his own benefit should be shown under the Acres column, and only the number of bushels of farm crops harvested by the permittee for himself should be shown under the Bushels Harvested column. Report all crops harvested in bushels or fractions thereof except such crops as silage, watermelons, cotton, tobacco, and hay, which should be reported in tons or fractions thereof.

Government1 s Share or Return - Harvested - Show the acreage and number of bushels harvested for the Government of crops produced type rmit tees or refuge personnel, Unharvested - Show the exact acreage and the estimated number of bushels of grain available for wildlife. If grazing is made available to waterfowl through the planting of grain, cover, green manure, grazing or hay crops, estimate the tonnage of green food produced or utilized and report under Bushels Unharvested column.

Total Acreage Planted - Report all acreage planted, including crop failures.

Green Manure, Cover and Waterfowl Grazing Crops - Specify the acreage, kind and purpose of the crop. These crops and the acreage may be duplicated under cultivated crops if planted during the year, or a duplication may occur under hay if the crop restilts from a perennial planting.

Hay - Improved - List separately the kinds of improved hay grown. Annual plantings should also be reported under Cultivated Crops, and perennial hay should be listed in the same manner at time of planting.

Total Refuge Acreage Under Cultivation - Report total land area devoted to agricultural purposes during the year.

INT.-DUP. SEC., WASH., D.C.91767

3-1570

m) REFUGE GRAIN REPORT

Refuge ....lish. Spring Months of through December >

(1) (2)

ON HAND

(3)

RECEIVED

(4) (5) GRAIN DISPOSED OF

(6)

ON HAND

(7) PROPOSED OR SUITABLE USE*

VARIETY* BEGINNING OF PERIOD

DURING PERIOD

TOTAL Transferred Seeded Fed Total

END OF PERIOD Seed Feed Surplus

Bonneville Barley 1380 lbs. 27,300 lbs.

26,680 lbs.

22,880 lbs.

22,880 lbs.

3,800 lbs.

200 lbs. 3,600 lbs.

Caribu %e 0 360 lbs. 360 lbs. 123 lbs. 123 lbs. 233 lbs. 233 lbs

Wheat 20 bu. 0 20 bu. 20 bu. 20 bu. 0

Cracked Corn 0 2,300 lbs.

2,300 lbs.

2,300 lbs.

2,300 lbs.

0

Corn 13 bu. 0 13 bu. 13 bu. 13 bu. 0

White Proso Millet 0 300 lbs. 300 lbs. 300 lbs. 300 lbs. 0

Japanese Millet 0 100 lbs. 100 lbs. 100 lbs. 100 lbs. 0

Yellow Blossom Sweet Clover

0 50 lbs. 30 lbs. 50 lbs 0 30 lbs.

N K 135 Milo 0 300 lbs. 300 lbs. 288 lbs. 288 lbs. 12 lbs. 12 lbs.

Giant Pascal Celery 0 3 lbs. 3 lbs. 3 lbs. 3 lbs. 0

(8) Indicate shipping or collection points chased._.l

(9) Grain is stored at Butler Bin at goose pen and 35 gallon drums in hanger.

(10) Remarks -

*See instructions on back.

NR-8a

REFUGE GRAIN REPORT

This report should cover all grain on hand, received, or disposed of, during the period covered by this narrative report.

Report all grain in bushels. For the purpose of this report the following approximate weights of grain shall be considered equivalent to a bushel: Corn (shelled)—55 lb., corn (ear)—70 lb., wheat— 60 lb., barley—50 lb., rye—55 lb., oats—BO lb., soy beans—60 lb., millet—50 lb., cowpeas—60 lb., and mixed—50 lb. In computing volume of granaries, multiply the cubic contents (cu. ft.) by 0.8 bushels.

(1) List each type of grain separately and specifically, as flint corn, yellow dent corn, square deal hybrid corn, garnet wheat, red May wheat, durum wheat, spring wheat, proso millet, combine milo, new era cowpeas, mikado soy beans, etc. Mere listing as corn, wheat, and soybeans will not suffice, as specific details are necessary in considering transfer of seed supplies to other refuges. Include only domestic grains; aquatic and other seeds will be listed on NR-9.

(3) Report all grain received during period from all sources, such as transfer, share cropping, ore

harvest from food patches.

(4) A total of columns 2 and 3.

(6) Column 4 less column 5.

(7) This is a proposed break-down by varieties of grain listed in column 6. Indicate if grain is suitable for seeding new crops.

(8) Nearest railroad station for shipping and receiving.

(9) Where stored on refuge: "Headquarters granary," etc.

(10) Indicate here the source of grain shipped in, destination of grain transferred, data on condition of grain, unusual uses proposed.

INT.-DUP. SEC., WASH., D.C. 170 6 5

3-175̂ Form NR-9

COLLECTIONS AND RECEIPTS OF PLANTING STOCK (Seeds, rootstocks, trees, shrubs)

Refuge year 1943-.

Collections Receipts

Species Amount Date or Period or Collection

Method Unit Cost Amount Source Total Amounts on Hand

Amount Surplus

Scirpus Acutas 2,170 root stocks

June hand dug SOolO 0

Scirpus Paludosai > 110 lbs. seed October

hand gather

11.71

'•

110 lbs. 0

* 5 8 0 »

3-1979 (NR-12) (9/63) B u r e a u o f S p o r t F S e r i e s a n d W i l d l i f e

ANNUAL REPORT OF PERSTICIDE APPLICATION

INSTRUCTIONS: Wildlife Refuges Manual, sees. 3252d. 3394b and 3395.

Refuge

Fish Springs

Proposal Number

N/A

Reporting Year

1963

Date(s) of

Application

List of Target Pest(s)

Location

of Area

Treated

Total

Acres Treated

Chemicalfs) Used

Total Amount

of

Chemical Applied

Application

Rate

Carrier

and

Rate

Method

of

Application

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (U (8) (9)

June through August

January through August

Phragmites Commonus

Tamarix pentandra

North Spring drainage

scattered throughout refuge

18 Amino Triazol 1300 lbs. 72 lbs,

active in-grediant/acr

water 1,805 per ac

gals spraying

Kuron paint stumps

10. Summary of results (continue on reverse side, if necessary)

Phragmites Control: Note: Spraying continued throughout summer. Items 1, 2, 3, 3 & 6 impossible to pin down for any one location. Generally the plants began to wither and turn yellow about two weeks after spraying. At the end of summer, all areas sprayed showed 100^ apparent kill with no regrowth apparent. 8. Cost analysis: Chemical $2,3^0; labor $1,136; equipment $27; total cost $3,323; cost/acre $193•67.

Salt Cedar Control: Salt Cedar control for the year was directed at the removal of isolated trees and seedlings scattered throughout the refuge. Control occured at various times throughout the year. Control was accomplished by hand pulling the seedling and cutting and stump treating with pure Kuron the larger trees. In the event of root breakage, the root ends were treated with Kuron. No cost or application records were kept for this program. lljlOO Salt Cedar trees and seedlings were removed during the year,,

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The W, A. Harmon Company of Provo, Utah obtained a subcontract for the completion of major control structures. They are pouring a typical check and turn out structure. The slough at the left of photo will later be developed for farming.

A photo of our newly constructed sheep proof fence and the reason for its construction. An estimated 10,OCX) sheep are trailed through the refuge every spring and fall. Their exclusion from the main portion of the refuge was necessary for management and range vegetation

Bird's "I" view of operL.tions in the B, L, M, gravel pit we used for graveling roads. The material in this pit is quite high in binder and yields a very good road bed. 17,000 yards of material have been removed from this pit and an additional 32,000 yards will be utilized next spring.

A rented D-8 cat and -f - .0 scrapc-r go to work on the county road that tronisects the refuge, A total of 10,000 yards were moved to reconstruct 2.6 miles of this road.

Best possible image

Because of excessive North and Bouth winds, it will be necessary to install a protective coat of gravel on all dikes to prevent wave erosion. The scrapers pictured above are dumping coarse gravel on top of the dike.

The D-8 cat pushes it over the side

And smooths it out

The finished product: an eighth inch thick layer of large sized gravel. We have 8 more dikes to treat in this manner and will utilize 36,000 yards of gravel This photo also shows a weather phenomena peculiar to Fish Springs; A salt storm caused by an incoming cold front. Better get the clothes in mom.

This truck was rigged especially for the road graveling job. Water is fanned out from 6 spigots (2 visible at right) mounted on the rear of the truck and is critical in achieving a well compacted road. Truck driver Charles Timra is in the process of filling the truck from North Springs. During the course of the job, a total of 31,000 gallons of water were used.

Some days our cost/yard runs a little higher. When this happens, the push cat must be walked from the pit, free the mired beast, and return to the pit before the job can be resumed. We pay for stuck time when it happens as a direct result of the job. The contractor is responsible when it occurs through operator error or equipment failure. Sometimes there is a pretty fine line around which some stilulating discussions develop.

December can be summed up in a word "Foggy". The two photos show the accumulation of hoarfrost on vegetation after several days of low temperatures and high humidity. The foggy conditions during December prevented drying after the November snows and stymied dirt work throughout the entire month.

Working conditions were not exactly optimum during December, Above: Layland on the D~k is breaking the county road so that the necessary culverts can be installed, Parker is tied on with the grader to retrieve the D-A after every pass. Below: the pipes are installed and we are again connected with the outside world.

Maintenance Problems: Laborer Clyde Peay removes an accumulation of wind blown smother weeds from the main canal and drain. This species is an invader on disturbed soils and has ample oportunity for growth as an aftermath of construction. With 1234 miles of ditch to fall into, this pest is becoming quite a problem.

Every first rate farming refuge exhibits a picture of its bumper crops. This is our contribution. Don't scoffI The fact that anything grew is good news indeed. Nov; all we need to do is refine our methods and try for a little increase in production.

Jap Millet produced in one of last summer's farming experiments. The production of grain will do much to increase the waterfowl usage of this refuge.

White proso millet grown in one of our sloughs. Note the salt concentration on the surface at the center of the photo. This strip of millet produced about ^fO bushels to the acre. The slough was flooded after the close of the period and during January was sustaining waterfowl that would have, otherwise, been faced with starvation conditions.

fish springs narrative reports january-december 1963 …

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