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Fish-stocking Zooicide
Mather Peaks South Lake
Spot 11,018 Pond
“Lost Twin Lakes” Ledge Pond
Peak 11,112 Shadow Pond
Peak 11,112 Shadow Southeast Pond
Peak 11,112 Shadow Southwest Pond
Middle Paint Rock Round Pond
Middle Paint Rock Divide Lake
“Misty Moon Lake” North Pond #1
“Misty Moon Lake” North Pond #2
“Misty Moon Lake” North Pond #3
Upper Solitude Trail East Pond
Upper Solitude Trail Middle Pond
Upper Solitude Trail West Pond
What Can We Learn from the Ponds in the Bighorn Mountains?
The Bighorn Mountains are in north-central Wyoming between the Bighorn Basin to the southwest and the Powder River Basin to the northeast. From the Wyoming – Montana border to Hazelton Peak, they are 122 km (76 miles) long. Although mountains continue into Montana as far as Bighorn Lake, the character changes with the upper ends of the more northerly flowing Big Bull Elk and Black Canyon creeks reaching very close to the border and the width of the mountain range shrinking substantially. Topographic maps also indicate the “Bighorn Mountains” continuing to the south of Hazelton Peak all the way to the eastern Owl Creek Mountains but these are just rounded hills lower than 2,500 m (8,200′). They are best considered the “Southern Bighorn Mountains”, a term which is in common usage. The northeast side of the Bighorn Mountains is everywhere steep. The southwest side of the mountains may be steep but it usually has moderate slopes, although deeply dissected by canyons. The Bighorn Mountains are generally 35-50 km (22-31 miles) wide between the major slope breaks on the northeast and southwest flanks but it depends on how far out into the basin you want to chase the ridges between the canyons on the southwest side.
There are abundant ponds and lakes in the glaciated areas but fewer in the lower areas. Unlike in the Wind River Mountains, the glaciers have all but disappeared from the Bighorn Mountains. 7.5-minute topographic quadrangles show only a few small perennial snowbanks, principally north of Cloud Peak or west of Black Tooth Mountain. Birds migrating from Mexico and Central America to the Canadian arctic along the Central Flyway could help with the dispersal of fairy shrimp to this habitat. As in the Wind River Mountains though, it’s not clear that birds even bother to visit the alpine lakes any more now that they have been cleared of macroinvertebrate food by fish.
Another potential problem for fairy shrimp in the Bighorn Mountains is frogs. The northern leopard frog, the wood frog, and the Columbia spotted frog all have populations in the Bighorn Mountains (Estes-Zumpf and others, 2012). Although fairy shrimp and frogs co-exist at some ponds, fairy shrimp are generally less common in ponds with frogs than in ponds without. Surveys have found the 3 species in the Bighorn National Forest between U.S. 14 in the north and U.S. 16 in the south. Using the figures of Estes-Zumpf and others (2012) and The National Map for elevations, I estimate that wood frog populations are present at elevations up to 2,830 m (9,285′) in the Shell Creek and South Fork Tongue River drainages. Columbia spotted frogs occur at about 2,730 m (8,855′) in the southern South Tongue River drainage. Frogs are probably not a threat to fairy shrimp in the abundant alpine ponds above 3,000 m (9,840′) like the ones I visited but they may reduce the available “stepping stones” for bird dispersal from lower elevation ponds to higher ones.
At 4,013 m (13,167′), Cloud Peak is the highest peak in the Bighorn Mountains and there are many peaks higher than 3,200 m (10,500′) along the crest of the range. The core of the mountain range from Dome Peak (3,300 m, 10,830′) in the northwest to Loaf Mountain (3,573 m, 11,722′) in the southeast is glaciated and very rugged with most elevations above 2,800 m (9,190′). Outside of this core, relief is more moderate but still mostly above 2,400 m (7,870′), e.g., Burgess Junction at 2,463 m (8,082′). The northeastern edge of the mountains is approximated by the 1,400 m (4,590′) contour in the north, near Sheridan, and the 1,600 m (5,250′) contour in the south, near Buffalo. The 1,700 m (5,580′) contour may be a good guide on the southwestern flank but the moderate slopes there do not define a sharp boundary. Minimum elevations in the canyons are represented by 1,500 m (4,920′) at the mouth of Tensleep Canyon and about 1,400 m (4,590′) at the mouth of Shell Canyon on the west side.
Mean Annual Precipitation according to the Wyoming Climate Atlas by the Water Resources Data System and State Climate Office at http://www.wrds.uwyo.edu/sco/climateatlas/precipitation.html, Parameter-Elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model, PRISM, with 1971-2000 data at very widely spaced weather stations (I have eyeballed the values from a very small scale map with 11 precipitation bins marked with indistinct colors and further obscured by a shaded relief base map):
31″-40″ (79-102 cm) and maybe 41″-50″ (104-127 cm) on crest
The Bighorn Mountains have vegetation varying from sagebrush in the foothills to alpine tundra in the higher core of the range.
The Bighorn National Forest includes essentially all of the Bighorn Mountains from the Wyoming – Montana border to Hazelton Peak. Private in-holdings are rare. East of the Forest boundary, the land is private or owned by the State of Wyoming with negligible public lands. Lands west of the Forest boundary are a mix of public lands managed by the BLM, private lands, and state lands. The higher elevation core of the mountain range is within the 51 km (32 miles) long Cloud Peak Wilderness Area. The Wilderness Area has several hiking trails.
Access to the higher parts of the Bighorn Mountains is provided by 3 highways: US 14 and Alternate US 14 over Granite Pass and Bald Mountain Summit, respectively, in the north and US 16 over Powder River Pass in the south. However, to reach trailheads or other areas of interest off the highways, one must rely on non-paved roads, some of which are in poor condition.
Although I remember 3 hiking trips in the Bighorn Mountains, this web page describes only one. I didn’t see fairy shrimp on the other 2 trips, didn’t record any data, and didn’t take any photographs. The only notes for the trip described here are poor. They were made on the topographic maps I carried: just an “x” on the pond and what I saw. The absence of photographs is unfortunate. I think 2007 was a time when I could not find Ektachrome, or even Kodachrome, film. Nonetheless, I think there is some value in making my limited findings public, if only to encourage others to do better.
Fish-stocking Zooicide
Many of the high elevation lakes in the Bighorn Mountains are naturally inaccessible to fish. However, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department has remedied nature’s glaring deficiency. The Sheridan office posted a press release on August 25, 2020 stating: “The biennial stocking of wilderness lakes in the Bighorn Mountains took place July 27 and 28 via helicopter with more than 30,000 fish stocked in 26 Sheridan Region lakes” (wgfd.wyo.gov/Regional-Offices/Sheridan-Region/Sheridan-Region-News/Sheridan-Region-wilderness-helicopter-fish-stocking). The stocking is biennial because the fish die off even if not enough people get up there to kill them all. Consequently, potential fairy shrimp habitat has been reduced to off-stream ponds and lakes that not even stocked fish can get to.
For more on the zooicide of macroinvertebrate populations in alpine lakes, see “Fish-stocking Zooicide” on the Wind River Mountains page.
Mather Peaks South Lake (Tensleep Ranger District, Bighorn National Forest, Cloud Peak Wilderness)
___This map is a screenshot of The National Map (Go to The National Map). The U.S. Geological Survey generally does not copyright or charge for its data or reports (unless printed). A pond location is indicated by an “X”, which corresponds to the coordinates given in the data spreadsheet. Labels in quotations are from 7.5-minute topographic quadrangles.
___Red lines are the U. S. National Grid with a spacing of 1,000 m and intersection labels consisting of the UTM zone (e.g., 11S, 12T), a 2-letter 100-km square designation (e.g., LC, XN), and a 4-digit number. The first 2 digits of the number represent the 1,000-meter Easting and the second 2 digits the 1,000-meter Northing, as seen in the example Easting and Northing. Unlike latitude and longitude, the National Grid is rectilinear on a flat map, the units of abscissa and ordinate have equal lengths, and the units (meters) are measurable on the ground with a tape or by pacing.
___There is no private or state land on this map. All the lands are public.
Mather Peaks South Lake is 36 km (22 miles) west of Buffalo and 1,200 m (3,940′) south of the eastern summit of Mather Peaks. There is another lake of similar size 800 m (2,620′) farther south. Mather Peaks South Lake has an irregular shape and dimensions of about 250 m x 170 m (820′ x 560′) on the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle. The outlet of the lake descends 50 m (165′) in about 130 m (430′) laterally so it seems safe from fish.
Probably the most direct route to Mather Peaks South Lake is from the West Tensleep Creek trailhead at “West Tensleep Lake”. The trailhead is on a maintained road that turns north off US 16 about 16 miles northeast of Tensleep and 11 miles west of Powder River Pass. The trail goes to “Lost Twin Lakes”. Above “Mirror Lake”, turn north and follow the drainage up toward Mather Peaks.
Elevation: 3,273 m (10,739′)
September 21, 2007
I took a chance on a late fall hike and it’s not turning out well. The cool, cloudy weather looks rather threatening. At least I managed to start before elk season opens.
- 170 m x 250 m based on the 7.5-minute quadrangle; depth not estimated.
- Water clarity not noted but can be assumed to have been clear.
- No fairy shrimp
- Copepods.
Spot 11,018 Pond (Tensleep Ranger District, Bighorn National Forest, Cloud Peak Wilderness)
Spot 11,018 Pond is almost 500 m (1,640′) southeast of Mather Peaks South Lake. It is on the saddle of a small ridge northeast of the spot elevation of 11,018 feet (3,360 m). It is shown on the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle as a perennial pond less than 50 m (165′) long.
For access, see Mather Peaks South Lake.
Elevation: 3,351 m (10,993′)
September 21, 2007
It’s on the map, it’s small, and it’s not far from Mather Peaks South Lake. I got nice and warm hiking up the hill.
- Less than 50 m across based on the quadrangle; depth not estimated.
- Water clarity not noted but can be assumed to have been clear.
- No fairy shrimp
- Backswimmers (sub-order Heteroptera, family Notonectidae), caddisfly larvae, copepods.
What are insect predators like backswimmers doing at this elevation? Did they eat all the fairy shrimp that hatched this year?
“Lost Twin Lakes” Ledge Pond (Tensleep Ranger District, Bighorn National Forest, Cloud Peak Wilderness)
“Lost Twin Lakes” Ledge Pond is about 950 m (3,120′) north of the northwestern of the “Lost Twin Lakes”, which is 36 km (22 miles) west of Buffalo. The pond is on a wide ledge part way up the canyon wall below where it gets really steep. Its maximum dimension is less than 50 m (165′) on the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle.
For access, see Mather Peaks South Lake. Instead of turning north to Mather Peaks South Lake, continue on the trail past “Mirror Lake” to “Lost Twin Lakes”. About 775 m (2,460′) east of the crossing of West Tensleep Creek above “Mirror Lake”, the trail crosses the nose of a ridge. The climb along the ridge up to the ledge with the pond is probably the least steep route.
Elevation: 3,175 m (10,418′)
September 21, 2007
Another small pond that’s on the map and not too hard to get to but maybe remote enough to provide an untroubled home for fairy shrimp.
- Less than 50 m across based on the 7.5-minute quadrangle; depth not estimated.
- Water clarity not noted but can be assumed to have been clear.
- Small, pale gray, fairy shrimp.
- Backswimmers (sub-order Heteroptera, family Notonectidae), beetles.
The distal segments of male antennae II of these fairy shrimp are short and pointed like those of Branchinecta paludosa (BTANSD).
The pond is home to fairy shrimp but the presence of predators such as backswimmers and beetles indicate it is not exactly untroubled.
Peak 11,112 Shadow Pond (Tensleep Ranger District, Bighorn National Forest, Cloud Peak Wilderness)
___This map is a screenshot of The National Map (Go to The National Map). The U.S. Geological Survey generally does not copyright or charge for its data or reports (unless printed). A pond location is indicated by an “X”, which corresponds to the coordinates given in the data spreadsheet. Labels in quotations are from 7.5-minute topographic quadrangles.
___Red lines are the U. S. National Grid with a spacing of 1,000 m and intersection labels consisting of the UTM zone (e.g., 11S, 12T), a 2-letter 100-km square designation (e.g., LC, XN), and a 4-digit number. The first 2 digits of the number represent the 1,000-meter Easting and the second 2 digits the 1,000-meter Northing, as seen in the example Easting and Northing. Unlike latitude and longitude, the National Grid is rectilinear on a flat map, the units of abscissa and ordinate have equal lengths, and the units (meters) are measurable on the ground with a tape or by pacing.
___There is no private or state land on this map. All the lands are public.
Peak 11,112 Shadow Pond is 400 m (1,310) west of a peak with spot elevation 11,112 feet (3,385 m). Peak 11,112 is 960 m (3,150′) west of “Lake Marion” and 42 km (26 miles) west of Buffalo. The peak is 230 m (760′) higher than the pond and has a steep west side that would cast a long shadow over Peak 11,112 Shadow Pond when the sun is shining. Peak 11,112 Shadow Pond is close to, but not on, Middle Paint Rock Creek. On the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle, the pond has dimensions of 150 m x 60 m (490′ x 200′).
For access, see Middle Paint Rock Divide Lake. Peak 11,112 Shadow Pond is close to trail #66 about 850 m (2,790′) southwest of Middle Paint Rock Divide Lake. The route described to Middle Paint Rock Divide Lake would have been a better choice but instead I drove a different road from US 16 to the “Lily Lake” trailhead on Middle Paint Rock Creek. As I recall, the road was in poor condition and I had a hard time finding the trailhead.
Elevation: 3,151 m (10,338′)
September 23, 2007
The water level is well below the high-water mark but that is not a surprise this late in the year.
- 60 m x 150 m based on the 7.5-minute quadrangle; depth not estimated.
- Water clarity not noted but can be assumed to have been clear.
- Sparse fairy shrimp.
- Other animals not noted.
This is a great start after sitting out the snow on the 22nd.
Peak 11,112 Shadow Southeast Pond (Tensleep Ranger District, Bighorn National Forest, Cloud Peak Wilderness)
Peak 11,112 Shadow Southeast Pond is about 100 m (330′) southeast of Peak 11,112 Shadow Pond. It is shown as a perennial pond less than 30 m (100′) across on the 7.5 minute topographic quadrangle.
For access, see Peak 11,112 Shadow Pond.
Elevation: 3,164 m (10,382′)
September 23, 2007
It’s on the map and close so NPPWOPII.
- Less than 30 m across based on the 7.5-minute quadrangle; depth not estimated.
- Water clarity not noted but can be assumed to have been clear.
- No fairy shrimp
- No aquatic animals seen.
Peak 11,112 Shadow Southwest Pond (Tensleep Ranger District, Bighorn National Forest, Cloud Peak Wilderness)
Peak 11,112 Shadow Southwest Pond is 80-100 m (260-330′) west of Peak 11,112 Shadow Southeast Pond and 60-80 m (200-260′) south of Peak 11,112 Shadow Pond. It is not shown on the 7.5 minute topographic quadrangle and is not really visible on the USGS imagery for The National Map. Its location on the Peak 11,112 Shadow Pond map and the coordinates in the data spreadsheet (on the Data page) may be off by 50 m (165′) or so.
For access, see Peak 11,112 Shadow Pond.
Elevation: 3,159 m (10,363′)
September 23, 2007
I found this pond walking back toward the trail from Peak 11,112 Shadow Southeast Pond.
- Less than 30 m across; depth not estimated.
- Water clarity not noted but can be assumed to have been clear.
- No fairy shrimp
- No aquatic animals seen.
Middle Paint Rock Round Pond (Tensleep Ranger District, Bighorn National Forest, Cloud Peak Wilderness)
Middle Paint Rock Round Pond is 525 m (1,720′) southwest of Middle Paint Rock Divide Lake and less than 50 m (165′) east of the trail. Like Peak 11,112 Shadow Pond, the pond is close to, but not on, Middle Paint Rock Creek. It is approximately 60 m (200′) across on the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle.
For access, see Middle Paint Rock Divide Lake.
Elevation: 3,178 m (10,426′)
September 23, 2007
This one is well off the creek and definitely too small for fish anyway.
- About 60 m across based on the 7.5-minute quadrangle; depth not estimated.
- Water clarity not noted but can be assumed to have been clear.
- No fairy shrimp
- Backswimmers (sub-order Heteroptera, family Notonectidae).
Middle Paint Rock Divide Lake (Tensleep Ranger District, Bighorn National Forest, Cloud Peak Wilderness)
Middle Paint Rock Divide Lake is 42 km (26 miles) west of Buffalo and about 800 m (2,620′) west of “Misty Moon Lake”. It is in a depression north of trail #66 where it crosses the divide between Middle Paint Rock Creek and West Tensleep Creek. On the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle, the lake is 200 m x 70 m (660′ x 230′). It seems like an odd place for a lake but here it is. It has an outlet that descends to “Misty Moon Lake” but that would be a tough climb for trout.
For access, see Mather Peaks South Lake. Like Mather Peaks South Lake, Middle Paint Rock Divide Lake can be reached from a trailhead at West Tensleep Lake but take trail #63 to “Lake Helen” and “Misty Moon Lake” rather than trail #65 to “Lost Twin Lakes”. From a trail junction northwest of “Misty Moon Lake”, trail #66 leads southwest and over the divide to Middle Paint Rock canyon. Middle Paint Rock Divide Lake is less than 30 m (100′) from the trail.
Elevation: 3,219 m (10,560′)
September 23, 2007
Definitely bad timing for this trip with rain or snow most of the day yesterday. Although I stayed warm in my vehicle yesterday, it’s not warming up much today. Fortunately, the ground is warm enough to melt most of the snow. There’s the possibility the lake has been stocked – it’s big enough to tempt someone – but WIDLA.
- 70 m x 200 m based on the 7.5-minute quadrangle; depth not estimated.
- Water clarity not noted but can be assumed to have been clear.
- No fairy shrimp
- Backswimmers (sub-order Heteroptera, family Notonectidae).
“Misty Moon Lake” North Pond #1 (Tensleep Ranger District, Bighorn National Forest, Cloud Peak Wilderness)
“Misty Moon Lake” North Pond #1 is the lowest and southernmost of the 3 “Misty Moon Lake” North ponds. It is 350 m (1,150′) north of “Misty Moon Lake”. “Misty Moon Lake” is 41 km (25 miles) west of Buffalo. “Misty Moon Lake” North Pond #1 is 100 m long and 50 m wide (330′ x 160′) on the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle.
For access, see Middle Paint Rock Divide Lake. Instead of going west to Middle Paint Rock Divide Lake from the trail junction northwest of “Misty Moon Lake”, continue north on the Solitude Trail, #38. The trail passes the 3 “Misty Moon Lake” North ponds as it climbs to the divide between Paint Rock Creek and West Tensleep Creek.
Elevation: 3,179 m (10,431′)
September 23, 2007
Having ponds this close to a trail makes it easy.
- 50 m x 100 m based on the 7.5-minute quadrangle; depth not estimated.
- Water clarity not noted but can be assumed to have been clear.
- No fairy shrimp
- No aquatic animals seen.
“Misty Moon Lake” North Pond #2 (Tensleep Ranger District, Bighorn National Forest, Cloud Peak Wilderness)
“Misty Moon Lake” North Pond #2 is the middle pond of the 3 “Misty Moon Lake” North ponds. It is 450 m (1,480′) north of “Misty Moon Lake”. “Misty Moon Lake” is 41 km (25 miles) west of Buffalo. On the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle, “Misty Moon Lake” North Pond #2 is barely 70 m long and 40 m wide (230′ x 130′). Unlike the other 2 “Misty Moon Lake” North ponds, it is shown with an intermittent rather than perennial pond symbol.
For access, see “Misty Moon Lake” North Pond #1.
Elevation: 3,182 m (10,440′)
September 23, 2007
The map is right; this pond is almost dry.
- Size and depth not estimated.
- Water clarity not noted but can be assumed to have been clear.
- No fairy shrimp
- Backswimmers (sub-order Heteroptera, family Notonectidae).
“Misty Moon Lake” North Pond #3 (Tensleep Ranger District, Bighorn National Forest, Cloud Peak Wilderness)
“Misty Moon Lake” North Pond #3 is the highest and northernmost of the 3 “Misty Moon Lake” North ponds. It is also the smallest. “Misty Moon Lake” North Pond #3 is 540 m (1,770′) north of “Misty Moon Lake”. “Misty Moon Lake” is 41 km (25 miles) west of Buffalo. “Misty Moon Lake” North Pond #3 is less than 60 m (200′) long on the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle.
For access, see “Misty Moon Lake” North Pond #1.
Elevation: 3,183 m (10,443′)
September 23, 2007
Maybe smaller is better.
- Less than 60 m long based on the 7.5-minute quadrangle; depth not estimated.
- Water clarity not noted but can be assumed to have been clear.
- No fairy shrimp
- No aquatic animals seen.
Upper Solitude Trail East Pond (Tensleep Ranger District, Bighorn National Forest, Cloud Peak Wilderness)
Upper Solitude Trail East Pond is 700 m (2,300′) northwest of “Misty Moon Lake” and about 2,200 m (7,220′) east of “Lake Solitude”. “Misty Moon Lake” is 41 km (25 miles) west of Buffalo. The pond is shown on the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle as less than 30 m (100′) south of the trail and about 70 m (230′) long.
For access, see “Misty Moon Lake” North Pond #1. Continue on the Solitude Trail, #38, past “Misty Moon Lake” North Pond #3 and hike another 675 m (2,210′) or so over the divide and down into the Paint Rock Creek drainage.
Elevation: 3,118 m (10,231′)
September 23, 2007
Another problem with the timing of this trip is that the days are too short. I’m running out of day light.
- About 70 m long based on the 7.5-minute quadrangle; depth not estimated.
- Water clarity not noted but can be assumed to have been clear.
- No fairy shrimp
- Backswimmers (sub-order Heteroptera, family Notonectidae).
Upper Solitude Trail Middle Pond (Tensleep Ranger District, Bighorn National Forest, Cloud Peak Wilderness)
Upper Solitude Trail Middle Pond is about 700 m (2,300′) northwest of “Misty Moon Lake”. “Misty Moon Lake” is 41 km (25 miles) west of Buffalo. The pond has dimensions of 90 m x 30 m (300′ x 100′) on the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle.
For access, see Upper Solitude Trail East Pond. Hike about 200 m (660′) southwest from Upper Solitude Trail East Pond. The pond is 150 m (490′) south of the Solitude Trail.
Elevation: 3,131 m (10,271′)
September 23, 2007
I passed another, smaller pond on the way here from Upper Solitude Trail East Pond but it is not on the 7.5-minute quadrangle and has only backswimmers.
- 30 m x 90 m based on the 7.5-minute quadrangle; depth not estimated.
- Water clarity not noted but can be assumed to have been clear.
- No fairy shrimp
- Backswimmers, beetles.
Upper Solitude Trail West Pond (Tensleep Ranger District, Bighorn National Forest, Cloud Peak Wilderness)
Upper Solitude Trail West Pond is 900 m (2,950′) northwest of “Misty Moon Lake” and about 380 m (1,250′) west of Upper Solitude Trail East Pond. “Misty Moon Lake” is 41 km (25 miles) west of Buffalo. The pond is 40 m (130′), more or less, south of the trail and is 50 m x 35 m (165′ x 115′) on the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle.
For access, see Upper Solitude Trail East Pond.
Elevation: 3,085 m (10,120′)
September 23, 2007
I saw 2 other very small ponds in the woods on the way here from Upper Solitude Trail Middle Pond but they didn’t appear to have anything swimming in them.
- 35 m x 50 m based on the 7.5-minute quadrangle; depth not estimated.
- Water clarity not noted but can be assumed to have been clear.
- No fairy shrimp
- Backswimmers (sub-order Heteroptera, family Notonectidae).
What Can We Learn from the Ponds in the Bighorn Mountains?
The southern end of the main crest of the Bighorn Mountains, looking north from Loaf Mountain, which is on the southern boundary of the Cloud Peak Wilderness Area. Loaf Mountain is a cross-country hike north from Powder River Pass. I didn’t want to end this page without any photographs of the Bighorn Mountains even though I don’t have any relevant to fairy shrimp.
Like other glaciated mountain ranges in Wyoming, the Bighorn Mountains have abundant potential fairy shrimp habitats but the number has been drastically reduced by fish-stocking.
Based on my experience, fairy shrimp are not as common in the Bighorn Mountains as in similar terrain in the Wind River Mountains or Snowy Range but that may be due to timing, sampling error, or other factors rather than to a lower actual abundance of fairy shrimp.
Of the 14 ponds I visited on 1 autumn trip, 2 had fairy shrimp and 8 had backswimmers, including 1 which also had fairy shrimp.