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<br />CIUOTER 2 <br />BACKGROUND/HISTORY <br />1. Description of the Phvsical SettinQ of the Platte River. <br />The Platte River <br />and South Platte <br />(Figure 1). Froi <br />and empties into <br />this 500 km (310 <br />mi.) are drained <br />(USFWS 1981).. <br />originates at the confluence of the North Platte <br />Rivers near tYie City of North Platte, Nebraska <br />n its source, the Platte River flows eastward <br />the Missouri Ftiver near Omaha, Nebraska. Along <br />mile) route, about 77,210 square km (29,800•sq. <br />by the Platte River and its major tributaries <br />The South Platte River originates as snowmelt in central Colorado <br />at about 3810 m(12,500 feet) above sea level (Fig. 1). From its <br />source, the S*outh Platte River flows southeastward, then <br />northeastward, and, after crossing the Colorado-Nebraska border, <br />flows almost due east to join the North Platte River near the City of North Platte, Nebraska. The South Platte River is about <br />730 km (450 miles) long and drains about 62,960 sq. km (24,300 <br />sq. mi.) (USFWS 1981). <br />Also'beginning as snowmelt, the North Platte River flows north- <br />ward from northcentral__Colorado into central Wyoming where it <br />gradually bends to the southeast before joining the South Platte <br />River (Fig. 1). From its source at about,3,350 m(11,000 feet) <br />above sea level to its confluence with the South Platte River, <br />the North Platte River traverses about 1,070 km (665 miles) and <br />drains an area of 90,430 square km (34,900 square miles) (USFWS <br />1981). _ <br />2. Historic Use of Platte River bv Endancrered and <br />Threatened Speci:es. . <br />Whoopinct Cranes <br />Whooping cranes in spring migration have been sighted in Nebraska <br />during 15 March to 18 June (Swenk 1933, Faanes and Lingle 1988). <br />Platte River sightings in spring extend from 15 March to 18 June <br />(Table 3). Whooping cranes have been sighted in Nebraska during <br />the fall migration from 22 September to 8 December (USFWS.1981; <br />USFWS, unpubl. data). .Platte River records in fall extended from <br />22 September to 5 November (Table 4). The Platte River data in <br />Tables 3& 4 are based on Allen (1952), USFWS 1986, the list of <br />confirmed sightings maintained by USFWS, and NGPC, unpubl. data.