Problems Beavers can Cause
Flooding
One of the most well known types of damage beavers can cause is due to flooding. While beaver ponds provide a wide array of positive aspects, a beaver pond that is too big can start to impact infrastructure and personal property. Flooding due to beavers can take pastures, roads, and railways out of commission, drown trees, compromise septic systems, and damage levies, dykes, bridges and trestles [1,2]. Culverts are particularly at risk when beavers build dams in and around them, as they are not designed to hold back the significant weight of a beaver pond [3]. Such water buildup can cause road damage or even total collapse [3].
One of the most well known types of damage beavers can cause is due to flooding. While beaver ponds provide a wide array of positive aspects, a beaver pond that is too big can start to impact infrastructure and personal property. Flooding due to beavers can take pastures, roads, and railways out of commission, drown trees, compromise septic systems, and damage levies, dykes, bridges and trestles [1,2]. Culverts are particularly at risk when beavers build dams in and around them, as they are not designed to hold back the significant weight of a beaver pond [3]. Such water buildup can cause road damage or even total collapse [3].
Tree Felling and Tree Damage
Since beavers rely on trees for much of their food, it is no surprise that one of the biggest problems people deal with is unwanted tree felling. Ornamental trees are generally the trees people worry about, as they are often rare and expensive, but others who have grown accustomed to the forest before the presence of beavers also worry about felling of any trees [2]. Beavers may also girdle trees, which is the act of stripping off tree bark rather than felling the whole tree [2]. This can ultimately kill the tree if too much bark is taken, but usually the tree can continue to live [2].
Since beavers rely on trees for much of their food, it is no surprise that one of the biggest problems people deal with is unwanted tree felling. Ornamental trees are generally the trees people worry about, as they are often rare and expensive, but others who have grown accustomed to the forest before the presence of beavers also worry about felling of any trees [2]. Beavers may also girdle trees, which is the act of stripping off tree bark rather than felling the whole tree [2]. This can ultimately kill the tree if too much bark is taken, but usually the tree can continue to live [2].
References
1. Simon, L. J. (2006). Solving Beaver Flooding Problems through the Use of Water Flow Control Devices. Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference, 22. doi:
10.5070/v422110285
2. Vantassel, S. M., Hygenstrom, S. E., Ferraro, D. M., Wilson, S., & Fryda, R. (2013). Solving Beaver Flooding Problems through the Use of Water Flow Control
Devices. NebGuide.
3. Beaver Damage Management, Beaver Damage Management (n.d.).
Picture References in Order of Use
UDSA APHIS. [2015]. Beaver Management Assistance in North Carolina. [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://tinyurl.com/yadh3gkh
Somma-Hammel, Jan. [2017]. Busy Beavers of Richmond Creek Rebuild the Dam Overnight. [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://tinyurl.com/y744bp67
1. Simon, L. J. (2006). Solving Beaver Flooding Problems through the Use of Water Flow Control Devices. Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference, 22. doi:
10.5070/v422110285
2. Vantassel, S. M., Hygenstrom, S. E., Ferraro, D. M., Wilson, S., & Fryda, R. (2013). Solving Beaver Flooding Problems through the Use of Water Flow Control
Devices. NebGuide.
3. Beaver Damage Management, Beaver Damage Management (n.d.).
Picture References in Order of Use
UDSA APHIS. [2015]. Beaver Management Assistance in North Carolina. [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://tinyurl.com/yadh3gkh
Somma-Hammel, Jan. [2017]. Busy Beavers of Richmond Creek Rebuild the Dam Overnight. [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://tinyurl.com/y744bp67