Near Crystal Springs in Stutsman County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Missouri Coteau - North America's Duck Factory.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 9, 2020
1. The Missouri Coteau - North America's Duck Factory. Marker
Captions: (bottom center) North America's Duck Factory map insert; Spraque's pipit; The Missouri Coteau region runs northwest to southeast from Saskatchewan through Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. It is an area of prime importance to waterfowl within North America's Prairie Pothole Region, Historically, the Coteau was composed of mixed-grass prairie dominated by wheatgrass, little bluestem, and needlegrass. Today, only about 32 percent of the original mixed=grass prairie remains. Although prairie can be restored, once it has been cultivated it is no longer "native" prairie.; (middle right) Whooping crane; Piping plover; Besides waterfowl, the Missouri Coteau also provides habitat for rare grassland-dependent bird species like long-billed curlews, Spraque's pipits, chestnut-collared longspurs, and Le Conte's and Baird's sparrows, as well as threatened and endangered species like pipping plovers and whooping cranes.; (bottom right) The Missouri Coteau is known for its large concentrations of waterfowl.
The potholes that give the Region its name are the result of glaciation. AS the ice sheet retreated some 10,000 years ago, it left behind uneven depressions. The ice eventually melted away, and the low-lying areas became wetlands.
This Region is now dotted with thousands of wetlands of different sizes and types. In the highest-density areas, there are more than 100 wetlands per square mile. These are prime nesting areas for waterfowl and provide habitat for a wide variety of other wildlife.
Erected by North Dakota Fish and Wildlife Department.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Natural Resources.
Location. 46° 52.431′ N, 99° 26.31′ W. Marker is near Crystal Springs, North Dakota, in Stutsman County. Marker can be reached from Interstate 94 at milepost 223 near 47th Avenue Southeast, on the right when traveling west. The marker is located at the Crystal Springs/St. Paul Rest Area Westbound. Touch for map
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Chase Lake NWR and the American White Pelican (here, next to this marker); Chase Lake Prairie Project (here, next to this marker); Welcome to Crystal Springs WPA (here, next to this marker); The National Wildlife Refuge System in North Dakota (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sibley Trail (approx. 12.1 miles away); Dr. J.S. Weiser (approx. 13.7 miles away).
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 9, 2020
2. The Missouri Coteau - North America's Duck Factory. Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 21, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 156 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 21, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
