Fifteen hundred acres of type III and IV wetland have been created in northeastern California on National Forest lands since 1968. Other natural wetlands, primarily types I and V presently exist. Development of new wetland includes the construction of low level earthen dikes with numerous artificial nesting devices which are described. Plantings of food and cover species have been tried on a small scale. Important waterfowl species, primarily Great Basin Canada geese (Branta canadensis moffitti) and numerous duck species are utilizing the project sites. One hundred ninety avian species are known to use the new developments whereas before construction 40-50 species were present. Nesting pairs of ducks have averaged 29 pairs per 100 surface acres of flooded wetland, while nesting Canada geese range between 9 and 19 pairs. Average costs for creation have been $88 per 100 acres.
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