Devastating damage to the lake

ITD · 11-22-2016, 08:08 PM

Beaver dams can be a big nuisance. We have one behind our home here in Massachusetts and the one thing I learned is beavers, while prolific dam builders, really aren't that good at it. The dam I'm talking about holds back about 5 acres of water to a depth of around 3 feet. Why do I say they are not very good at it? Because over the last 15 or so years the dam has breached catastrophically at least twice. Generally what happens is that a large long rainfall starts overflowing the dam. Being constructed mainly of sticks and mud, the dam eventually breaches and lets all the water out, usually in less than a day. So I'm thinking that although the workers definitely sped up the process, it would have happened eventually anyway. Now that said, a little preventative maintenance, such as clearing the dam as it's being built probably would prevent this from happening in the future. Also a beaver trapper could solve the problem long term. As far as cleaning up the refuse? I'm torn on that as it may do more damage than good.

TheTimeTraveler · 11-22-2016, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ITD

Beaver dams can be a big nuisance. We have one behind our home here in Massachusetts and the one thing I learned is beavers, while prolific dam builders, really aren't that good at it. The dam I'm talking about holds back about 5 acres of water to a depth of around 3 feet. Why do I say they are not very good at it? Because over the last 15 or so years the dam has breached catastrophically at least twice. Generally what happens is that a large long rainfall starts overflowing the dam. Being constructed mainly of sticks and mud, the dam eventually breaches and lets all the water out, usually in less than a day. So I'm thinking that although the workers definitely sped up the process, it would have happened eventually anyway. Now that said, a little preventative maintenance, such as clearing the dam as it's being built probably would prevent this from happening in the future. Also a beaver trapper could solve the problem long term. As far as cleaning up the refuse? I'm torn on that as it may do more damage than good.

I have heard that Beaver Dams in some communities have turned building lots into wetlands (no longer suitable for building). I have also heard that some septic systems have been destroyed due to rising water levels near existing housing stock.

It would be nice if there was a simple solution to all of these problems without destroying the beavers, their dams and the environment.

.

Descant · 11-22-2016, 11:02 PM

Not too far away, we had a beaver pond. A nice enough pond, and it had been there long enough that all the trees had died and fallen. Of course, many stumps as the beaver had removed many trees. It actually looked like a pond, not a wetland with dead trees all over. This was in the middle of some conservation land, so no interference from roads, houses, etc. For whatever reasons, the beaver family left. The dam went away too, over time. Now there is a big "beaver meadow" in the middle of this parcel with a small brook. Very picturesque. Interesting to live in one place long enough to see the progression of nature.

11-22-2016, 11:02 PM	#3
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,459 Thanks: 1,376 Thanked 1,654 Times in 1,082 Posts	Beaver meadow Not too far away, we had a beaver pond. A nice enough pond, and it had been there long enough that all the trees had died and fallen. Of course, many stumps as the beaver had removed many trees. It actually looked like a pond, not a wetland with dead trees all over. This was in the middle of some conservation land, so no interference from roads, houses, etc. For whatever reasons, the beaver family left. The dam went away too, over time. Now there is a big "beaver meadow" in the middle of this parcel with a small brook. Very picturesque. Interesting to live in one place long enough to see the progression of nature.

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11-22-2016, 08:08 PM	#1
ITD Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 2,939 Thanks: 481 Thanked 695 Times in 390 Posts	Beaver dams can be a big nuisance. We have one behind our home here in Massachusetts and the one thing I learned is beavers, while prolific dam builders, really aren't that good at it. The dam I'm talking about holds back about 5 acres of water to a depth of around 3 feet. Why do I say they are not very good at it? Because over the last 15 or so years the dam has breached catastrophically at least twice. Generally what happens is that a large long rainfall starts overflowing the dam. Being constructed mainly of sticks and mud, the dam eventually breaches and lets all the water out, usually in less than a day. So I'm thinking that although the workers definitely sped up the process, it would have happened eventually anyway. Now that said, a little preventative maintenance, such as clearing the dam as it's being built probably would prevent this from happening in the future. Also a beaver trapper could solve the problem long term. As far as cleaning up the refuse? I'm torn on that as it may do more damage than good.