Supporting Beavers

Ways to Support Beaver

Ways to Support Beaver

Choose the option that best describes your situation to be directed to the most helpful resources!

I want to plant vegetation that beaver like

I want to install a beaver dam analog (artificial beaver dam)

Improve hydraulic conditions to attract and support beaver

I don’t have a stream on my property, but I want to learn about and support beavers in the watershed!

Have other questions?

Plant Vegetation

Enhancing Stream Ecosystems

Beavers can significantly enhance the health of stream ecosystems. Their activities create wetlands that filter water, reduce erosion, and provide valuable habitat for diverse flora and fauna. However, maintaining robust beaver populations requires ensuring access to suitable food sources. Some examples of trees and shrubs that are especially attractive to beavers include willows, cottonwood and red osier dogwood. With their fast-growing nature, flexible wood, and ability to regenerate after cutting, these species are top beaver choices for both nutrition and building material. Other planting recommendations include water lilies, cattails and wapato – all of which provide water quality and habitat benefits to a wide variety of aquatic life in addition to beaver populations.

  • Reintroducing Wetland Habitat: BDAs create shallow ponds behind the structure, similar to a beaver dam. This promotes wetland vegetation growth, providing habitat for birds, amphibians, and aquatic invertebrates.

  • Moderating Stream Flow: BDAs slow down the flow of water, reducing erosion and promoting sediment deposition. This creates a more stable streambed and improves water quality.

  • Raising Water Table: Increased ponding behind the BDA raises the water table in the surrounding riparian area. This supports the growth of water-loving plants and provides vital refuge for fish during periods of drought.

  • Encouraging Beaver Colonization: In some cases, BDAs can act as an incentive for beavers to colonize a stream. The existing pond and readily available building materials can make settling more attractive, potentially leading to the natural establishment of beaver dams.

Planting Strategies

  • Dense planting: Plant densely (1200-2400 stems per acre) with trees and shrubs that are adapted to your particular site conditions.

  • Prioritize native species: Prioritize native plants for optimal ecological fit and to minimize potential invasive species.

  • Use bare-root plantings: Bare-root stock is more economical than containers and often more successful in wildland settings. Some species, especially willows, can be propagated from cuttings.

  • Utilize biodiversity: Include a variety of species – both palatable and non-palatable to beavers.

  • Plan for water table rise: On low-gradient reaches, anticipate that both surface water and water table will rise, resulting in improving site conditions for some plants and deteriorating conditions for others.

  • Get expert advice: Consult with a knowledgeable planting contractor or nursery for advice on species selection and spacing.

Case Study

Fanno Creek Case Study

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Promoting Beaver Habitats

By implementing these planting strategies, you can contribute to thriving beaver populations while fostering a healthier and more biodiverse stream ecosystem. If you are interested in learning more about planting strategies to encourage beavers on your property (and discourage beaver-related conflict), click here to view several resources and a recording of a presentation on this topic by George Kral, forester and owner of Scholls Valley Native Nursery.

Wholesale Native Plant Nurseries

More Planting Resources

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Beaver Dam Analog

What is a beaver dam analog?

Beaver dam analogs (BDAs) are man-made structures designed to mimic the form and function of natural beaver dams. Built from natural materials like logs, branches, and rocks, these structures serve several key purposes:

  • Reintroducing Wetland Habitat: BDAs create shallow ponds behind the structure, similar to a beaver dam. This promotes wetland vegetation growth, providing habitat for birds, amphibians, and aquatic invertebrates.

  • Moderating Stream Flow: BDAs slow down the flow of water, reducing erosion and promoting sediment deposition. This creates a more stable streambed and improves water quality.

  • Raising Water Table: Increased ponding behind the BDA raises the water table in the surrounding riparian area. This supports the growth of water-loving plants and provides vital refuge for fish during periods of drought.

  • Encouraging Beaver Colonization: In some cases, BDAs can act as an incentive for beavers to colonize a stream. The existing pond and readily available building materials can make settling more attractive, potentially leading to the natural establishment of beaver dams.

BDA Design and Construction Guidelines

BDA design and construction vary depending on the specific goals and site conditions. General principles include using locally available materials, ensuring structural stability, and allowing for some level of flow-through to prevent stagnant water. Consulting with experienced professionals familiar with stream restoration and BDA construction is crucial for successful implementation.

Case Studies

Johnson Creek Beaver Dam Analog

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French Creek Beaver Dam Analog

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Benefits of Beaver Dam Analogs

By mimicking the ecological benefits of natural beaver dams, BDAs offer a very valuable tool for restoring degraded streams, enhancing biodiversity, and promoting healthy aquatic ecosystems. While they may not replace the unique capabilities of beavers themselves, the BDAs provide a promising solution in situations where these industrious engineers are absent or their presence is undesirable.

More BDA Resources

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Improving Hydrological Conditions

Improving 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

Key factors to consider when planning and executing a successful beaver habitat restoration project include:

  • 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.

Facilitating Beaver Colonization for Ecological Benefits

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.

Case Studies

Cascade Siskiyou National Monument

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More Resources for Improving Hydrological Conditions

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Supporting Beavers

Supporting Beaver Conservation in Your Community

While not everyone has a stream on their property, supporting beavers in your watershed is still possible! Spread the word about these ecosystem engineers and their amazing benefits like water purification, flood control, and habitat creation. Share informative resources and spark conversations in your community.

  • Get Involved Locally: Get involved at the local level by signing up for the Mid-Willamette Beaver Partnership’s mailing list in order to stay up to date on beaver-related news, conservation efforts, and volunteer opportunities in your area.

  • Engage with your Local Watershed: These organizations often spearhead important restoration projects and can connect you with ways to make a difference, like learning about and participating in local habitat restoration efforts. Together, we can ensure healthy watersheds and thriving beaver populations for generations to come. 

  • Small Impacts are Big Impacts: Remember, even small actions can have a big impact. By sharing knowledge, engaging with local organizations, and advocating for these keystone species, you can play a valuable role in supporting beavers and the vibrant ecosystems they help create.

More Resources for Improving Hydrological Conditions

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