Welcoming Beavers to your Property

Improving Hydrological Conditions

Working to Improve Hydrological Conditions

Sometimes, when beavers are not present within a stream, it is because there are specific hydrological conditions that make it difficult or impossible for beavers to colonize an area. In this case, if you want beavers to move in, you may need to take some pre-emptive measures to address these conditions first. This can be achieved in several ways:

Large Wood Structures

Strategically placed tree trunks and large branches mimic naturally occurring logjams, effectively reducing flow velocity, raising water levels, and creating backwater areas – all highly attractive to beavers seeking suitable dam locations

Post-Assisted Log Structures (PALS)

By anchoring logs to posts, PALS provide stable platforms for beavers to initiate dam construction. This not only encourages initial dam building but also enhances streambank stability.

Partial Beaver Dam Analogs (pBDAs)

Functioning as scaled-down BDAs, pBDAs offer similar benefits with minimal alteration to existing water flow. They serve as starting points for beaver dam construction, potentially prompting beavers to further expand the structure over time.

Implementation Considerations:

  • Professional consultation: Collaborating with experienced stream restoration professionals ensures appropriate structure design and placement, optimized for specific site conditions and desired outcomes.

  • Locally sourced materials: Utilizing untreated wood sourced from the immediate vicinity minimizes environmental impact and maximizes beaver appeal, as they readily utilize familiar materials.

  • Maintaining flow-through: Careful design and construction are crucial to prevent stagnant water and ensure adequate flow-through, supporting healthy aquatic life within the modified ecosystem.

By employing these techniques thoughtfully, landowners and land managers can effectively facilitate beaver colonization and reap the associated ecological benefits. These structures not only pave the way for dam construction but also contribute to improved water quality, reduced erosion, and enhanced habitat complexity – factors that will ultimately attract industrious beaver residents and foster a thriving stream ecosystem.

Contact Your Local Watershed Council

  • Polk: contact Marc Bell, Polk Soil & Water Conservation District Senior Resource Conservationist 
  • Benton: use contact form on Benton Soil & Water Conservation District website and a staff member will respond
  • Linn: (waiting for contact name)
  • Marion: contact Chelsea Blank, Marion Soil & Water Conservation District Natural Areas Conservation Planner
  • Yamhill: contact Jordan Anderson, Yamhill Soil & Water Conservation District Resource Conservationist
  • Lincoln: contact Cara Ratterman, ODFW Beaver Conservation Biologist (Mid Coast Watershed District)

More Resources

Learn about Stream Restoration

Land Stewards Cost-Share Grants

Cascade Siskiyou National Monument