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YELLOWSTONE |
IN THE NEWS TODAY: Bearman's Wolf Update -- by Kevin Sanders Stream Flow Report -- by Univ. of Wyoming Snow Lodge Dedication -- News Brief Road Construction Update -- News Brief Daily Environmental News -- from ISyndicate |
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ROAD REPORT
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THE BEARMAN'S
WOLF UPDATE by Kevin Sanders YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK -- Joe 2 Pack Renamed: The
Chief Joseph II pack, consisting of 7 wolves; 3 adults and 4 yearlings has recently been
renamed "The Sheep Mountain Pack". The change came about after a lengthy period
had passed in which there 1999 Spring Wolf Denning Report: Here is the latest information on the 1999 spring wolf denning season. On April 29th, NPS biologists observed 6 newborn pups at number 18's den site. Number 18F is the beta female with the Rose creek pack. Later, researchers also observed 2 new pups at #9F's den site. It will probably be late this summer before we are able to get an accurate count on the total number of pups born during the 1999 season. Total Wolf Population Todate: (76 adults + 44 yearlings + 8 known pups) =118 Note: Wolves that have localized have probably denned, but due to various problems researchers have not been able to confirm. Yellowstone packs Court Date Set For Appeal -- After a long time waiting, the date for oral arguments of the appeal before the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals on Judge Downes' wolf removal order has been set -- May 13, 1999. Downes ruled in December 1997 that the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone and central Idaho was a violation of section 10j of the Endangered Species Act. He ordered all of the reintroduced wolves and their offspring "removed." This now is about 225 wolves and will be probably be well over 300 by the time the U.S. Court of Appeals rules whether Downes was correct. Downes stayed his removal order pending appeal. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife has indicated that if Downes' removal order is upheld the wolves will have to be killed. Sometime after his decision, Downes wrote that he didn't mean for the wolves to be killed, only removed. He offered no solution as to where to put the wolves. Should Downes be upheld, informed observers predict civil disobedience and unrest as citizens strive to protect this biologically successful project. |
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND COLUMNISTS Ralph Maughan
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UPPER YELLOWSTONE
BASIN STREAM FLOW REPORT by University of Wyoming WYOMING (Univ. of Wyo.) -- Snow: Snowfall in the basin this year has been well above average. Snow water equivalent (SWE) is about 132 percent of average (146 percent of last year) in the Madison drainage. SWE in the Yellowstone drainage is about 122 percent of average (148 percent of last year at this time). See the "Snow Course Basin Summary" at the beginning of this document for more details on specific sites. Precipitation: April precipitation in the Madison and Yellowstone drainage was about 115 percent of average (141 percent of last April) for the 8 reporting stations -- percentage range was from 61 at Old Faithful to 156 percent of average. Water-year-to-date precipitation is about 121 percent of average at Parkers peak (130 percent of last year's amount). Year to date percentages range from 100 to 148 for the 8 reporting stations. Reservoir: Ennis Lake is storing 33, 200 acre-feet (95 percent of average and 81 percent of capacity). Hebgen Lake is storing about 229,200 acre-feet of water (93 percent of average and 61 percent of capacity). Hebgen Lake is storing about 87 percent and Ennis Lake is storing about 101 percent of last year's volume. Streamflow: All the following forecasts are the 50 percent chance runoff for the May through September runoff period. Yellowstone at Lake Outlet has is expected to yield about 935,000 acre feet (124 percent of normal). Yellowstone at Corwin Springs will yield about 2,260,00 acre-feet (123 percent of normal). Yellowstone near Livingston will yield about 2,620,000 acre-feet (123 percent of normal). Hebgen lake inflow is estimated to be 535,000 acre feet (125 percent of normal). See the following page for detailed runoff volumes. |
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| SNOW LODGE
DEDICATION TO BE HELD SATURDAY News BriefThis Saturday marks the dedication of the new Old Faithful Snow Lodge. Construction of the new lodge began in the spring of 1997, with some guest rooms opening to the public during the past summer season. More rooms were opened this month. The lodge consists of a restaurant, gift shop and ski rental shop. |
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| ROAD CONSTRUCTION
UPDATE News Brief Tourists to Yellowstone will be glad to know that this year's road construction projects in the Park will not be as obstructive to traffic as the past few years. There will be no scheduled delays longer than 30 minutes, with construction taking place only from West Thumb to the East Entrance and in the Lamar Valley. Following is the seasonal road construction schedule listed by sections of roadway: -- March 15 through midnight May 31: Open 24 hours with up to 30 minute delays from
7:00AM to 9:00PM EAST ENTRANCE TO FISHING BRIDGE -- Opening date through July 5: Open 24 hours with up to 30 minute delays. LAKE JUNCTION TO BRIDGE BAY -- Opening date through Oct. 3: Open 24 hours with up to 30 minute delays. BRIDGE BAY TO WEST THUMB -- Opening date through July 5: Open 24 hours with up to 30 minute delays from 9:00AM
to 9:00PM |
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