Canada Geese
Chelan PUD maintains and monitors approximately 20 goose nest
tubs along Rocky Reach Reservoir. Nests
occurring on natural surfaces are also monitored. These surveys
are conducted as part of the Rocky Reach Wildlife Management
Plan as a required by the license for the Rocky Reach
Hydroelectric project.
Long-term monitoring of goose nesting habits and success
along our reservoirs may be useful to address license
requirements, permitting issues, and help to guide project
operations that could affect shoreline nesting. This
information is also provided to the WDFW and the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS) for their management purposes.
Goose nests along Rocky Reach Reservoir have ranged from a low
of 30 to as many as 80. Currently, the average nest count along
Rocky Reach Reservoir numbers about 50, producing about 225
goslings annually.
Wood Ducks
Chelan PUD maintains and monitors approximately 60 wood duck
nest boxes along Rock Island Reservoir as required by the
license for Rock Island Dam. Surveys are conducted in
spring through early summer and determine use and success of
the nest box program. Results of the surveys are reported to
the WDFW and the USFWS for management purposes. Since the
program began in 1983, nest boxes have produced over 3,000 wood
duck ducklings.
Fast Facts:
- Canada geese make ground nests on small islands, cliff ledges, or in nest tubs
- Canada geese lay 4-7 eggs
- Canada geese young are able to fly at 65-70 days old
- Wood duck hens return to the same nest box annually
- Wood duck drakes are brightly colored, hens are less conspicuous
- Typical wood duck egg clutch sizes are about 12 eggs
- Wood duck eggs are incubated for 28-32 days