Beavers
Many people have a love hate relationship with the sate animal. Beavers are considered a keystone species, which according to National Geographic means: “A keystone species is an organism that helps define an entire ecosystem. Without its keystone species, the ecosystem would be dramatically different or cease to exist altogether.” Beaver Dams are amazing long-term flood management tool. They help to slow the flow of water by creating dams which cause moderate stream level rise and create wetlands. These wetlands provide critical habitat for many sensitive species, including the local celebrities, salmon and steelhead. Wetlands act as nurseries for young and adolescent salmon and steelhead where they are able to grow and feed on insects and their larvae without the threats that larger fish pose in deep, open waters. However, the locations beavers choose for dens and dams are not always ideal for us. and the associated wetland creation can interfere with land management priorities. So, what can you do to reduce the inconvenient side effects of beaver dams while still enjoying the ecological benefits?
Tips to manage beaver chewing:
- Sand Painting: this technique deters beavers from chewing on painted trees as the texture of sand in their mouths is extremely uncomfortable. To employ this technique combine sand with a latex outdoor paint at a 1:6 ratio trying to match the color of the bark as best you can. Apply to the bottom 3-4 feet of the trunk. Apply on a dry day and reapply every 2-3 years.
- Tree Fencing: This limits beavers’ access to trees, and works best on established trees. Place wire fencing minimum of 4 feet tall around the perimeter of the tree, making sure to leave 1-2 feet of space between fencing and the trunk to allow space for the tree to grow. Check regularly to make sure there is still space for growth.
- Planting Undesirable Species: There are many easy to grow species that beavers are not fond of, planting these can help to assure your property is not their favorite spot to forage. Some examples of non-preference foods are: Sitka spruce, elderberry, cascara, cluster rose, ninebark, and twinberry.
Tips to manage flooding from dams:
- Consider Flow Devices: These devices help to mitigate stream level rise and prevent swells above a predetermined level. They must be professionally installed however, there are several local organizations which are happy to help you. Consult the Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District and the OSU Extension Service to see if a flow device can help you to manage swells.
- Entice them elsewhere: If a beaver family is building dams in a problematic location, encouraging them to move elsewhere is more effective long-term than disassembling dams. According to the OSU Extension Service one of the best ways to do this is to provide, “a series of 3 to 5 inch diameter non-treated lumber posts or live willow posts spaced 18 to 24 inches apart that can serve as a foundation for the beavers to build a new dam. This technique is most effective in combination with planting beaver preferred plants like; Big Leaf Maple, Black Cottonwood, Piper Willow, and Sitka Willow in the preferred location. These strategies encourage beavers to voluntarily relocate so that you can enjoy the ecological and aesthetic value that beavers bring to your property without the flooding hazard.
For information or assistance:
https://shorturl.at/fpdNs
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https://bark-out.org/beavers-as-allies/