Animal community

Landscape

The MLRA 54 landscape is characterized by moderately dissected rolling plains with areas of local badlands, buttes, and isolated hills. MLRA 54 is considered to have a continental climate with cold winters and hot summers, low humidity, light rainfall, and much sunshine. Extremes in temperature are common and characteristic of the MLRA. This area supports natural mixed-grass prairie vegetation with prairie rose, leadplant, and patches of western snowberry interspersed throughout the area. Green ash, chokecherry, and buffaloberry occur in draws and narrow valleys creating woody riparian corridors. Complex intermingled ecological sites create diverse grass/shrub land habitats interspersed with varying densities linear, slope, depressional, and in-stream wetlands associated with headwater streams and tributaries to the Missouri River. These habitats provide critical life-cycle components for many wildlife species.

Historic Communities/Conditions within MLRA:

The northern mixed-grass prairie was a disturbance-driven ecosystem with fire, herbivory, and climate functioning as the primary ecological drivers (either singly or often in combination). Many species of grassland birds, small mammals, insects, reptiles, amphibians, and large herds of roaming American bison, elk, and pronghorn were historically among the inhabitants adapted to this semi-arid region. Roaming herbivores, as well as several small mammal and insect species, were the primary consumers linking the grassland resources to large predators (such as the wolf, mountain lion, and grizzly bear) and smaller carnivores (such as the coyote, bobcat, red fox, and raptors). The black-tailed prairie dog was once abundant and provided ecological services by manipulating the plant and soil community, thus providing habitat for the black-footed ferret, burrowing owl, ferruginous hawk, mountain plover, swift fox, small mammals, and amphibians and reptiles. Extirpated species include free-ranging American bison, grizzly bear, gray wolf, black- footed ferret, mountain plover, and peregrine falcon (breeding). Extinct from the region is the Rocky Mountain locust.

Present Communities/Conditions within MLRA:

Following European influence, domestic livestock grazing, elimination of fire, energy development, and other anthropogenic factors influenced plant community composition and abundance. Agriculture, transportation corridors, and energy development are the main factors contributing to habitat fragmentation, reducing habitat quality for area-sensitive species. These influences fragmented the landscape; reduced or eliminated ecological drivers (fire); and introduced exotic species including smooth brome, crested wheatgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and leafy spurge. This further impacted plant and animal communities. The loss of the bison, black-tailed prairie dogs, and fire as primary ecological drivers greatly influenced the character of the remaining native plant communities and the associated wildlife, moving towards a less diverse and more homogeneous landscape.

Included in this MLRA are the isolated Killdeer Mountains (limestone capped residual butte) containing bur oak, quaking aspen, green ash, paper birch, and American elm. Except for floodplain forests within the MLRA, the Killdeer Mountains contain the largest deciduous forest in southwestern North Dakota.

Some wildlife species in this area are mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, coyote, red fox, bobcat, prairie rattlesnake, American badger, raccoon, North American porcupine, beaver, striped skunk, American mink, white-tailed jackrabbit, black-tailed prairie dog, Eastern and Merriam’s turkey, golden eagle, ferruginous hawks, sharp-tailed grouse, black-billed magpie, and numerous species of grassland-nesting birds and pollinating insects.

Presence of wildlife species is often determined by ecological site characteristics including grass and forb species, hydrology, aspect, and other associated ecological sites. The home ranges of a majority species are larger than one ecological site or are dependent on more than one ecological site for annual life requisites. Ecological sites offer different habitat elements as the annual life requisites change. Habitat improvement and creation must be conducted within the mobility limits of a known population for the species.

Insects play an important role providing ecological services for plant community development. Insects that are scavengers or aid in decomposition provide the food chain baseline sustaining the carnivorous insects feeding upon them. Many insects provide the ecological services necessary for pollination, keeping plant communities healthy and productive. Insects provide a protein food source for numerous species including grassland-nesting birds and their young.

Species unique to MLRA:

Bald eagle: Bald Eagles prefer large rivers, lakes, reservoirs, or wetlands that are bordered by mature stands of trees or a single large tree. Bald eagles use the Missouri River system, including Lakes Sakakawea and Oahe, and associated tributaries. Mature trees, including cottonwoods, provide nesting sites adjacent to aquatic and upland foraging sites.

Dakota skipper: The extreme northern portion of this MLRA provides limited Dakota skipper habitat. Dakota skipper habitat within MLRA 54 is considered Type B habitat. Type B habitat is described as rolling native-prairie terrain over gravelly glacial moraine deposits dominated by bluestems and needlegrasses with the likely presence of bluebell bellflower, wood lily, blacksamson echinacea, upright prairie coneflower, and blanketflower. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service lists two critical habitat units within the MLRA in McKenzie County, North Dakota.

Golden eagle: The Lake Sakakawea breaks, bluffs, and rock outcroppings within the northwest portion of the MLRA are key areas for golden eagle nesting. Grasslands, shrublands, and black-tailed prairie dog towns are used for foraging.

Black-footed ferret: Black-footed ferrets have been reintroduced as an experimental population in the southern portion of the MLRA located on the Cheyenne Sioux Indian Reservation. Since reintroduction between 1991 and 1996, black-footed ferrets have been documented on the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation approximately 20 miles north of the reintroduction site. Black-footed ferrets rely exclusively on prairie dog towns for shelter, breeding, and food sources (prairie dogs and other species within the town).

Least tern (Interior): Least terns are found on the Missouri River system in MLRA 54. Sparsely vegetated sandbars within the free-flowing portions of the Missouri River or shorelines of Lake Oahe and Sakakawea are used for nesting and foraging.
Species of Concern within the MLRA:

The following is a list of species considered “species of conservation priority” in the North Dakota State Wildlife Action Plan (2015); “species of greatest conservation need” in the Montana State Wildlife Action Plan (2015) and the South Dakota State Wildlife Action Plan (2014); and “species listed as threatened, endangered, or petitioned” under the Endangered Species Act within MLRA 54 at the time this section was developed:

Invertebrates: Dakota skipper, little white tiger beetle, monarch butterfly, Ottoe skipper, regal fritillary, yellow-banded bumble bee, and western bumble bee.

Birds: American Kestrel, Baird’s sparrow, bald eagle, black-billed cuckoo, black tern, bobolink, Brewer’s sparrow, burrowing owl, chestnut-collared longspur, ferruginous hawk, golden eagle, grasshopper sparrow, greater sage-grouse, lark bunting, loggerhead shrike, least tern, long-billed curlew, marbled godwit, McCown’s longspur, mountain plover, northern goshawk, northern harrier, northern pintail, peregrine falcon (migration), piping plover, prairie falcon, red knot (migration), red- headed woodpecker, sharp-tailed grouse, short-eared owl, Sprague’s pipit, Swainson’s hawk, trumpeter swan, upland sandpiper, western meadowlark, willet, Wilson’s phalarope, and whooping crane (migration).

Mammals: Big and little brown bats, long-eared bat, long-legged bat, northern long-eared bat, Townsend’s big-eared bat, western small-footed bat, black-footed ferret, black-tailed prairie dog, dwarf shrew, gray wolf, hispid pocket mouse, Merriam’s shrew, northwestern moose, sagebrush vole, silver-haired bat, and swift fox.

Amphibians/Reptiles: Common snapping turtle, Great Plains toad, false map turtle, greater short- horned lizard, milk snake, northern leopard frog, plains hognose snake, plains spadefoot, smooth green snake, and smooth softshell and spiny softshell turtle.

Fish and Mussels: Blue sucker, burbot, flathead chub, fragile papershell, northern redbelly dace, paddlefish, pallid sturgeon, pearl dace, pink papershell, shortnose gar, sickle-fin chub, sturgeon chub, and sauger.


Upland Hardwood Forest Wildlife Habitat Interpretation:

Upland Hardwood Forest ecological sites are mainly located on the Killdeer Mountains within MLRA 54. No significant water table or surface run-on influences vegetation production on this site. Associated ecological sites include Shallow Loamy, Loamy, Very Shallow, and Limy Residual.

Upland Hardwood Forest habitat features and components support woodland edge and interior birds and other wildlife species dependent upon trees and shrubs to meet their life requisites. These forested sites provide quality loafing, escape, and winter cover for small and large herbivores and quality year-round habitat for elk, moose, and white-tailed deer and many bat species found in MLRA 54. These sites provide for many migratory passerines and year-round habitat for wild turkey, ring- necked pheasant and quality winter cover for eastern screech owl, great horned owl, and non-migrating passerine birds (such as black-capped chickadee and white-breasted nuthatch). Grassland-nesting birds avoid these ecological sites unless converted to herbaceous vegetation. Grassland-nesting birds that commonly avoid woody vegetation will not have their habitat needs met and may avoid adjacent ecological sites dominated by grassland vegetation. A reduction in nesting success by grassland nesting birds on adjacent herbaceous sites is likely due to increases in avian predation and nest parasitism.

Upland Hardwood Forest ecological sites may be found in five plant community states (1.0 Reference State, 2.0 Native/Invaded State, 3.0 Mixed Hardwood State, 4.0 Grassland State, 5.0 Go Back State and within a local landscape. Multiple plant community phases exist within State 1.0 and 2.0. Today, these states occur primarily in response to precipitation (extended periods of above normal precipitation and drought), fire, grazing, non-use, and other anthropogenic disturbances.

Because there is no known restoration pathway from State 2.0 to State 1.0, it is important to intensively manage using tools in State 1.0 Community Phase Pathways to prevent further plant community degradation along the T1A Transitional Pathway to State 2.0 or T1B Transitional Pathway to State 3.0.

1.0 Reference State

Community Phase 1.1 Quaking Aspen-Hardwoods/Shrubs/Forbs: Dominated by quaking aspen between 20-50 years old, this plant community offers quality woody vegetative cover for wildlife, especially ruffed grouse; every effort should be made, when found, to maintain this ecological site within this community phase. Ecological services, historically provided by fire and large native ungulates, are simulated by mechanical shearing of the quaking aspen forest on a long-term rotational basis. Historically, infrequent stand-replacing fires kept this community within State 1.0. Managers should consider management within the State 1.0 Community Phase Pathways to avoid transitioning to other states, especially if ruffed grouse habitat is the goal.

Invertebrates: Dense overstory of quaking aspen and hardwoods provide shade with little sunlight reaching flowering plants, such as forbs and shrubs. Pollen and nectar sources are limited; in addition, day-long shade limits use by pollinating insects. However, insects do play a role in maintaining the limited forb community and provide a forage base for woodland birds, reptiles, and rodents. Plant materials and dung in contact with mineral soil are used by lower trophic level consumers (such as invertebrate decomposers, scavengers, shredders, predators, herbivores, dung beetles, and fungal feeders).

Upland Hardwood Forest ecological sites provide habitat for a variety of butterflies. Forest openings created by shearing, roads, trails, wetland edges, etc. are important areas for sunlight to reach the soil surface for forbs to produce pollen and nectar.

This site does not provide life requisites for any insect listed as “species of conservation priority” in the North Dakota State Wildlife Action Plan (2015) or “species listed as threatened, endangered, or petitioned” under the Endangered Species Act.

Birds: This plant community provides quality woodland edge and interior nesting, foraging, and escape habitats. Once maintained by fire, mechanical treatment is needed to maintain a healthy, early successional forest for bird species such as ruffed grouse. This site provides good hunting opportunities for woodland raptors and owls. Dying or dead trees provide insects for woodpeckers and cavities for cavity-nesting bird species.

Bird species that use and benefit from woodland edge and interior habitat include American crow, American goldfinch, American kestrel, American redstart, black-billed cuckoos, black-capped chickadee, white-breasted nuthatch, blue jay, brown-headed cowbird, brown thrasher, eastern bluebird, eastern and western kingbird, eastern screech-owl, gray catbird, great horned owl, house wren, black-billed magpie, mourning dove, northern flicker, oven bird, red-eyed vireo, red-headed woodpecker red-tailed hawk, scarlet tanager, sharp-shinned hawk, wild turkey, yellow warbler and other species benefiting from interior woodland habitat.

Mammals: This early successional habitat provides high nutrition levels and thermal, protective, and escape cover for small and large herbivores including voles, mice, snowshoe hare, moose, white- tailed deer, and elk.

Amphibians and Reptiles: This ecological site provides foraging opportunities for the northern leopard frog and Canadian toad and the wood frog and boreal chorus frog (since this site is frequently found in proximity to Wet Meadow and Shallow Marsh ecological sites).

Fish and Mussels: This site is on a run-off landscape position. It typically does not receive run-on hydrology from adjacent ecological sites but provides hydrology to Wet Meadow and Shallow Marsh ecological sites. Management on Upland Hardwood Forest sites, in conjunction with neighboring run- off sites, will have a direct effect on aquatic species in streams and/or tributaries receiving water from Upland Hardwood Forest and adjacent sites. Optimum hydrological function and nutrient cycling limit potential for sediment yield and nutrient loading to the adjacent aquatic ecosystems from Community Phase 1.1.

Community Phase 1.2 Quaking Aspen: This plant community phase occurs after a stand- replacing fire or mechanical treatment that removes mature quaking aspen allowing for regeneration of the quaking aspen forest. Green ash has typically been removed from the forest; quaking aspen saplings less than 20 years old dominate that site.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1. However, forest management (fire, shearing) opens the forest canopy which decreases shade and provides increased forbs during the regeneration period.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1. However, the loss of green ash and old quaking aspen reduces nesting site availability for cavity nesting birds.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Fish and Mussels: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Community Phase 1.3 Quaking Aspen-Hardwoods/Shrubs/Wild Sarsaparilla/Sedges: Prolonged periods of no stand-replacing fire or mechanical treatment allows this plant community phase to be dominated by quaking aspen greater than 50 years old with green ash, bur oak, boxelder, and paper birch becoming a major tree component. Shrubs (such as chokecherry, Saskatchewan serviceberry, and highbush cranberry) dominate the understory as canopy cover decreases which allows more sunlight to reach the forest floor.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1. However, a decrease in shade allows an increase in flowering shrubs providing pollen and nectar sources for pollinating insects.

Birds: Older trees provide cavity nesting sites for forest birds; increases in mast producing trees provide food for wild turkey, blue jays, and woodpeckers; berry producing shrubs provide food from late summer to early winter; increases in flowering shrubs provide insect populations for birds and their young. Ruffed grouse use diminishes with the need for quaking aspen management regeneration.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1. However, hollow tree cavities provide denning and resting sites for American martens. Dead and mature trees provide cavities and loose bark for big brown bat, northern long-eared bat, and Townsend’s big-eared bat.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Fish and Mussels: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

2.0 Native/Invaded State

Community Phase 2.1 Quaking Aspen-Hardwoods/Shrubs/Forbs: Except for the invasion of cool- season exotic grasses and forbs, this plant community phase has a very similar appearance and function to Plant Community 1.1 for invertebrates, birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles, and fish and mussels. There is no known Community Phase Pathway back to State 1.0 from State 2.0.

Community Phase 2.2 Quaking Aspen: Except for the invasion of cool-season exotic grasses and forbs, this plant community phase has a very similar appearance and function to Plant Community 1.2 for invertebrates, birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles, and fish and mussels.

Community Phase 2.3 Quaking Aspen-Green Ash-Hardwoods/Shrubs/Wild Sarsaparilla/Sedges: Except for the invasion of cool-season exotic grasses and forbs, this plant community phase has a very similar appearance and function to Plant Community 1.3 for invertebrates, birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles, and fish and mussels.

Community Phase 2.4 Open Canopy Quaking Aspen/Exotic Forbs/Exotic Cool-Season Grasses: Continuous, season long or heavy grazing by domestic livestock grazing leads to the decline in vigor and increased mortality of forest canopy species. Decadent stands of quaking aspen prevail with hazel, invasive forbs, and cool-season exotic grasses dominating the understory. Significant livestock trailing, bedding, and soil compaction occurs within this community phase.

Invertebrates: Pollen and nectar producing species are limited to exotic forbs and hazel with limited pollen produced from quaking aspen. Butterfly numbers and species diversity are dramatically reduced while fly populations associated with livestock production increase. Increased livestock dung increases fly and beetle production.

Birds: This site mainly will be used by woodland edge bird species (such as American robin, house sparrow, brown-headed cowbird, etc.). Extensive livestock grazing will reduce forest canopy, limiting use by forest interior nesting birds but will not open-up the canopy for use by grassland nesting birds. Use by ruffed grouse is limited with the need for quaking aspen management regeneration and livestock grazing management.

Mammals: This site provides limited cover for both small and large mammals. Extensive grazing limits tree regeneration, opening-up the forest canopy for invasion of cool-season exotic grass and exotic forbs. Dependent upon the degree of grazing, limited small mammal habitat may be available. Winter thermal cover is limited for large ungulates.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Fish and Mussels: Soil compaction and trailing increases bare soil and weakens tree roots leading to increased runoff and erosion. Nutrient and sediment loading increase to adjacent waterbodies.

3.0 Mixed Hardwood State
Community Phase 3.1 Hardwoods/Shrubs/Exotic Cool-Season Grasses: The mixed hardwood state is caused by the removal of natural disturbances (e.g.,100+ years), such as fire (via Transitional Pathway T1B). If clear-cutting quaking aspen does not replace natural fire events, the site becomes dominated by shade-tolerant tree species (such as green ash and bur oak along with paper birch, and boxelder). This plant community phase has a sparse understory of chokecherry, pin cherry, Saskatoon serviceberry, highbush cranberry, and hazel. Heavy shade depresses grasses and forbs.

Invertebrates: Dense forest canopy creates a sparse understory of flowering shrubs and forbs. Pollinator plant diversity and vigor is low, limiting season-long nectar and pollen production.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.3.

Mammals: This plant community phase provides high nutrition levels and thermal, protective, and escape cover for small and large herbivores including voles, mice, snowshoe hare, moose, white- tailed deer, and elk. Shrubs will provide increased year-round cover for large mammals, such as white-tailed deer. Mammals, such as porcupines, preferring woody habitat will use this site. Hollow tree cavities provide denning and resting sites for American martens. Dead and mature trees provide cavities and loose bark for big brown bat, northern long-eared bat, and Townsend’s big-eared bat.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Fish and Mussels: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

4.0 Grassland State

Community Phase 4.1 Exotic Cool-Season Grasses/Native Grasses/Exotic Legumes/Native Forbs: Successful restoration of native or tame grassland species, along Restoration Pathway R4C, results in a herbaceous grass and forb community in State 5.0. Dependent on distance to existing forested areas, tree and shrub seedlings may be abundant. The response by wildlife species will be dependent upon the success of the planted grasses and forbs, vegetative stature, patch size, and management activities (such as prescribed burning, inter-seeding, haying, grazing, and/or noxious weed control).

5.0 Go Back State

Community Phase 5.1 Annual/Pioneer-Perennial/Exotic Herbaceous Plants/Shrubs: Usually occurring from abandoned cropland, hayland, or other disturbance, this plant community phase can have a variety of herbaceous and shrub species. Following cessation of disturbances, the resulting plant community is dominated by early pioneer annual and perennial plant species. Plant species composition and production are highly variable. Dependent on distance to existing forested areas, tree and shrub seedlings may be abundant. Weedy plants can provide pollinator habitat along with spring and summer cover for many mammals and birds, and their young. Dense weed cover can keep soils moist, increasing insect presence. Tall vegetative stature provided by weeds, such as marsh elder and ragweed, offer thermal cover and seeds throughout winter.

Successful restoration along Restoration Pathway R4B results in a native tree and shrub community in State 3.0. The response by wildlife species will be dependent upon the success of the planted native tree and shrub plant community, vegetative stature, patch size, and management activities (such as prescribed burning, inter-planting of trees and shrubs, or noxious weed control). Removal of any disturbance along Restoration Pathway R4A will result in Native/Invaded state 2.0; species composition will be dependent upon proximity and species composition of the adjacent plant community.

Animal Community – Grazing Interpretations
Due to site conditions (e.g., steep slopes, limited forage production, etc.), grazing on this site is limited. Therefore, grazing management efforts should be concentrated on adjacent sites and should be applied that enhances the competitive advantage of native grass and forb species. This may include: (1) grazing when exotic cool-season grasses are actively growing and native cool-season grasses are dormant; (2) applying proper deferment periods allowing native grasses to recover and maintain or improve vigor; (3) adjusting overall grazing intensity to reduce excessive plant litter (above that needed for rangeland health indicator #14 – see Rangeland Health Reference Worksheet); (4) incorporating early heavy spring utilization which focuses grazing pressure on exotic cool-season grasses and reduces plant litter provided that livestock are moved when grazing selection shifts from exotic cool-season grasses to native grasses.

Grazing levels are noted within the plant community narratives and pathways in reference to grazing management on adjacent sites. “Degree of utilization” is defined as the proportion of the current years forage production that is consumed and/or destroyed by grazing animals (may refer to a single plant species or a portion or all the vegetation). “Grazing utilization” is classified as slight, moderate, full, close, and severe (see the following table for description of each grazing use category). The following utilization levels are also described in the Ranchers Guide to Grassland Management IV. Utilization levels are determined by using the landscape appearance method as outlined in the Interagency Technical Reference “Utilization Studies and Residual Measurements” 1734-3.

Utilization Level
% Use Description
Slight (Light) 0-20 Appears practically undisturbed when viewed obliquely. Only choice areas and forage utilized.

Moderate 20-40 Almost all of accessible range shows grazing. Little or no use of poor forage. Little evidence of trailing to grazing.

Full 40-60 All fully accessible areas are grazed. The major sites have key forage species properly utilized (about half taken, half left). Points of concentration with overuse limited to 5 to 10 percent of accessible area.

Close (Heavy) 60-80 All accessible range plainly shows use and major sections closely cropped. Livestock forced to use less desirable forage, considering seasonal preference.

Severe > 80 Key forage species completely used. Low-value forages are dominant.

Hydrological functions

Water is the principal factor limiting herbage production on this site. The site is dominated by soils in hydrologic group B. Infiltration is moderate or moderately slow; runoff potential is high. In many cases, areas with greater than 75% ground cover have the greatest potential for high infiltration and lower runoff. An exception would be where short grasses form a dense sod and dominate the site. Areas where ground cover is less than 50% have the greatest potential to have reduced infiltration and higher runoff (refer to Section 4, NRCS National Engineering Handbook for runoff quantities and hydrologic curves).

Recreational uses

The largest acreage of public land available for recreation in the MLRA is owned and managed by the United States Forest Service (USFS) within the Little Missouri, Grand River, and Cedar River National Grasslands in South Dakota and the Little Missouri National Grasslands in North Dakota (687,398 acres). These areas are available for hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, horse and bike riding, nature viewing, etc. In addition, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages (40,264 acres) in North and South Dakota with the same recreational opportunities as the USFS lands.

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USAE) owns 496,162 acres of land and water located on and adjacent to Lake Sakakawea and Lake Oahe. The North Dakota and South Dakota Game and Fish Departments manage the fisheries resources. These two Missouri River reservoirs provide excellent fishing and water recreation opportunities. In addition, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) manages a national fish hatchery below Garrison Dam.

The USFWS manages 36,858 acres in the National Wildlife Refuge system while the North Dakota and South Dakota wildlife management agencies manage 72,218 acres as wildlife or game management areas. The North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana Department of Trust Lands manage 486,482 acres. These areas provide hunting, bird watching, hiking, and other outdoor recreation opportunities. North Dakota Wildlife Management Areas along the shoreline of Lake Sakakawea and the Missouri River account for 60,000 acres of the approximately 72,218 acres of land managed by the states for wildlife habitat in MLRA 54. Located in the northern portion of the MLRA, the Killdeer Mountain WMA is the largest tract of state-owned land managed for wildlife habitat at approximately 7,000 acres.

The largest refuge managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife service is Lake Ilo National Wildlife Refuge totaling approximately 4,000 acres. United States Bureau of Reclamation manages approximately 11,000 acres at Lake Tschida and 8,460 acres at Bowman-Haley Lake for fish and wildlife habitat. The National Park Service manages the Knife River Indian Village National Historic Site; the North Dakota Historical Society manages the Double Ditch Indian Village site.

Bird watching: Public and private grasslands within MLRA 54 provide essential habitat for prairie-dependent bird species such as Sprague's pipits, western meadowlark, and Baird's sparrow along with some of the larger, showy members of the upland prairie include marbled godwits, upland sandpipers, willets, and sharp-tailed grouse. Publicly owned lands provide excellent birding opportunities. MLRA 54 is in the Central Flyway.
Hunting/Fishing: MLRA 54 is a fall destination for thousands of pheasant and upland game bird hunters. This MLRA also provides excellent deer (white-tailed and mule), pronghorn, and coyote hunting opportunities. Lake Sakakawea, Lake Oahe, Lake Tschida, and the Missouri River provide excellent year-round fishing opportunities. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department and South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks manage approximately 40 fishing lakes within the MLRA. Available species include yellow perch, walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, crappie, bluegill, rainbow trout, and smallmouth bass. Chinook salmon are stocked in Lake Sakakawea.

Camping: Numerous state operated campgrounds are located along the shores of Lake Sakakawea, Lake Oahe, Missouri River, and Shadehill Reservoir. Primitive camping is allowed on Grand River and Cedar River National Grasslands in South Dakota and the Little Missouri National Grasslands in North Dakota. Other numerous camping (primitive and improved) sites are available in numerous city and county parks.

Hiking/Biking/Horseback Riding: Hiking is permitted on most state and federally owned lands. Developed hiking and biking trails can be found on Harmon Lake (13.1 miles), Roughrider Trail (Morton County, 16.5 miles), Missouri River State Natural Area (5 miles), Ft. Abraham Lincoln State Park (8 miles), Cross Ranch State Park (14 miles), Grand River National Grasslands (7 miles), Lake Sakakawea State Park (5 miles), and Lewis & Clark State Park (5 miles). In addition, extensive biking and walking trails are found in local county and city parks. Ft. Abraham Lincoln State Park has 6 miles of horseback trails.

Wood products

This site can provide various wood products, however, wood production or markets have not been developed in the area.

Other products

Seed harvest of native plant species can provide additional income on this site.

Other information

Site Development and Testing Plan
Future work (for approved ESD) includes field visits to verify ecological site concepts with field staff. Field staff include but are not limited to project office leader, area soil scientist, state soil scientist, ecological site specialist, state rangeland conservationist, area rangeland management specialist, and local field personnel.

This site should include collaboration between North Dakota and Montana. Field visits are to be determined by spatial extent of the site as well as personal knowledge of the site. Activity during field visits will include but not limited to identifying the soil, landform, plant community, and verifying existing site concepts. Data collection will be determined by the MLRA 54 technical team.

• Upland Hardwood Forest ESD needs additional production and cover data to more accurately depict the plant communities listed above in collaboration with the USFS.

• Lakota series was established for the interbedded sandstone and shale of the Black Hills footslopes. The landscape and soil parent material of the Killdeer Mountains (limestone-capped residual buttes) is outside the central concept of the series. A review of the soils in this site in MLRA 54 is recommended.

Inventory data references

Information presented here has been derived from NRCS and other federal/state agency clipping and inventory data. Also, field knowledge of range-trained personnel was used. All descriptions were peer reviewed and/or field-tested by various private, state and federal agency specialists.

Other references

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Barnhart, Paul. 2017. Documentation of overwintering bat species presence and hibernacula use in the badlands of North Dakota, Northwestern Naturalist 98(1), 48-56, (1 March 2017). https://doi.org/10.1898/NWN15-34.1.

Bjustad, A. J. 1965. Vegetation measurements in relation to range condition classification on the principal range sites of southwestern North Dakota. Ph.D. Thesis. North Dakota State University.

Bluemle. J.P. 2016. North Dakota’s geologic legacy. North Dakota State University Press. 382 pages.

Brand, M. D. and H. Goetz. 1986. Vegetation of exclosures in southwestern North Dakota. Journal of Range Management 39:434-437.

Briske, D.D. (editor). 2017. Rangeland systems – processes, management, and challenges. Springer Series on Environmental Management. 661 pages.

DeKeyser, S., G. Clambey, K. Krabbenhoft and J. Ostendorf. 2009. Are changes in species composition on central North Dakota rangelands due to non-use management? Rangelands 31:16-19.

Dodd, J.L. 1970. Distribution and community site relations of bluebunch wheatgrass in North Dakota. Ph.D. Thesis. North Dakota State University.

Dyke, S. R., S. K. Johnson, and P.T. Isakson. 2015. North Dakota state wildlife action plan – North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

Ehrenfeld, J.G. 2002. Effects of exotic plant invasions on soil nutrient cycling processes. Ecosystems 6:503- 523.

Ereth, C., J. Hendrickson, D. Kirby, E. DeKeyser, K. Sedevic, and M. West. Controlling Kentucky bluegrass with herbicide and burning is influenced by invasion level. Invasive Plant Science and Management 10:80-89.

Flesland, J.R. 1964. Composition and structure of the salt-desert shrub type in the badlands of western North Dakota. M.S. Thesis. North Dakota State University.

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Contributors

ND NRCS: David Dewald, Alan Gulsvig, Mark Hayek, Jeanne Heilig, John Kempenich, Chuck Lura, Jeff Printz, and Steve Sieler.

Approval

Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 3/31/2025

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