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importance by the bobwhite quail. Wetlands of value to waterfowl are extremely varied and are unevenly dis- tribu ted in the basin as shown in figure 21. The Dakotas, in particular, provide migration and breeding habitat for great numbers of waterfowl. Currently, about one million waterfowl are taken annually by hunters in the basin. The average annual harvest of game is currently estimated to be almost 16 million animals from 25 major species of game hunted in the basin. There are two other important types of wildlife populations in the basin: (I) Rare, endangered, or unique species such as blackfooted ferret, grizzly bear, peregrine falcon, bald and golden eagle, and osprey, and (2) trophy species such as elk, Bighorn sheep, Rocky Mountain goat, bear, and mountain lion. From a national standpoint, the Missouri Basin contains most of the areas in which these species can best be preserved and managed. While a reasonably complete inventory of fish and wildlife facilities was accomplished, it is impracticable to present this in detail in this report. Table 12 summarizes the major uses in terms of types and quantity of facilities devoted to their propagation and management and to related environmental quality. Outdoor Recreation From the rugged mountains in the west to the densely wooded hills and meandering streams of the Ozark Plateau in the southeast, the basin offers a myriad FIGURE 21 DISTRIBUTION OF WETLANDS AND RELATED WATERS FOR WilDLIFE TYPES WETLAND TYPES 1 SEASONALLY FLOODED BASINS 2 INLAND FRESH MEADOWS 3 INLAND SHALLOW FRESH MARSHES 4 INLAND DEEP FRESH MARSHES 5 INLAND OPEN FRESH WATER 6 SHRUB SWAMPS 10 INLAND SALINE MARSHES 11 INLAND OPEN SALINE WATER WETLANDS 2,5IS,000 ACRES DISTRIBUTION BY SUBBASIN FARM AND RANCH PONDS 406,000 ACRES WATER AREA OVER 40 ACRES 2,676,000 ACRES --1 1% SUBBASINS 1 UPPER MISSOURI 5 PLATTE -NIOSRARA 2 YELLOWSTONE 6 MIDDLE MISSOURI 3 WESTERN DAKOTA 7 KANSAS 4 EAS TE RN DAKOTA 8 LOWER MISSOURI 46