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<br />~~ & and IV soils are combined into a single column since they have similar predicted crop yield <br />values and represent a low percentage of the total acreage. <br /> <br />Capability class is not a valid basis for crop yield predictions on lands under the Fort Lyon canal. <br />This is because yields are influenced to a great extent by the availability and application of irrigation <br />water, and water availability varies from one part of the system to another. However, based on a <br />composite of crop yield information contained in the Soil Survey Reports, it is estimated that the <br />Class III and IV soils have a yield index of approximately .65, compared to a yield index of 1.0 for <br />the Class II soils, assuming an adequate water supply. These findings of soil productive capability <br />and distribution of classes of soil types are applied to estimates of income and change in land values <br />in Chapter 6. <br /> <br />3.9 Description of Wildlife and Fisheries <br /> <br />Wildlife <br /> <br />Wildlife resources in the Arkansas Valley are characterized by healthy populations of species <br />normally associated with short-grass prairie and riparian habitat (LARC 1992, 7). Threatened <br />and endangered species which inhabit, visit, have historically occurred, or are believed to inhabit <br />this area of the state include the Arkansas darter, bald eagle, peregrine falcon, interior least tern, <br />piping plover, lesser prairie chicken, and the black-footed ferret. Many species of mammals and <br />migratory and upland birds are also present. Mammals include mule deer, white-tailed deer, <br />Pronghorn, fox, jackrabbit and many small mammals (LARC 1992, 7). <br /> <br />Other species on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's candidate list for threatened or endangered <br />listing also occur in this area of the state including the mountain plover, snowy plover, long-billed <br />curlew, white-faced ibis, Texas horned lizard, and the swift fox (LARC 1992, 8). The eagles and <br />falcons, as well as other raptors utilize the cottonwoods sustained by ditches and laterals as <br />habitat. Game birds include Canadian and snow geese, numerous duck species, ring-necked <br />pheasant, and bobwhite quail (LARC 1992, 7). This report does not include site-specific analysis <br />of species habitats. Additionally, the report does not attempt to verify the occurrence of any of <br />the above species in the specific area served by the Ft. Lyon Canal Company. The Division of <br />Wildlife has stocked turkey in the area and predicts a turkey season beginning in 1993. Private <br />groups such as Pheasants Forever have stocked other birds (Desilet 1993). <br /> <br />Migratory Wildfowl <br /> <br />A significant portion of the Central Flyway's High Plains Canada goose flock has traditionally <br />wintered in the lower Arkansas River and nearby reservoirs (LARC 1992, 7). The geese now use <br />the corn, milo and winter wheat stubblefields in the Fort Lyon system as feeding grounds. <br /> <br />3-14 <br />