The Beaver Dam: From Waterparks to Water Protectors
Becoming Beaver Believers from River Fun to Ecosystem Restoration
I am not sure the real estate agent had all the facts on the farm when we bought it, but for us kids the big bonanza came when we discovered it had its own waterpark aka the beaver dam. And the furry land lords had moved on so admission was free and we got all the fruits of their labor for endless hours of river fun!
Mom always the greatest provider of picnics would bring the basket and the big red blanket and her Schubert Leider to memorize and practice as we became river otters frolicking along the banks. Oh the mud slides we were able to create thanks to the beavers efforts, which flooded the banks. And the balance beams and the swimming under water and floating competitions — we spent days splashing about while mom sang Die Forelle “the Trout” and other favorite Art Song arias for our aquatic symphony. I still feel the River water and sprout fins and shimmer every time I hear the opening lines of the Trout! (dadaladeedo, dadaladeedo)
Recently at a Friends of the Winooski River dinner, Tyler Brown from Vermont Fish and Wildlife gave a captivating lecture about beavers. He described how the sound of falling water acts as a "come hither" calling to our beaver family, and their unwavering determination to help fix leaks in our systems.
“Beavers, the animal that doubles as an ecosystem, are ecological and hydrological Swiss Army knives, capable, in the right circumstances, of tackling just about any landscape-scale problem you might confront. Trying to mitigate floods or improve water quality? There’s a beaver for that. Hoping to capture more water for agriculture in the face of climate change? Add a beaver. Concerned about sedimentation, salmon populations, wildfire? Take two families of beaver and check back in a year. If that all sounds hyperbolic to you, well, I’m going to spend this book trying to change your mind.” Ben Goldfarb, Eager
Despite being often labeled as nuisances or rodents, beavers play a critical role in maintaining the health and biodiversity of our ecosystems. By building dams, they create habitats that support a wide variety of plant and animal species, from fish to birds to insects, and even us kids! These habitats provide shelter, food, and breeding grounds — beavers are true water protectors! Dam those guys are good!
Unfortunately, beavers have been greatly misunderstood and forgotten. During the heydays of the American frontier, beavers were nearly wiped out as white settlers hunted and trapped them for their fur, which was used as currency for exchange. It's a classic case of shifting baselines, as Goldfarb poetically puts it, "long-term amnesia: every year we lose more and remember less."
The loss of beavers has had devastating effects on our ecosystems. Beavers are keystone species, meaning they have an outsized impact on the environment. Their dams and ability to slow down rivers and streams have tremendous positive effects on both the biotic and abiotic landscape. They create environments suitable for a wide range of living creatures and positively impact the shape of landscapes and groundwater levels.
So, let's come together and beaver believers! Let's raise awareness about the critical role beavers play in our ecosystems and advocate for their protection. Support local conservation efforts, educate others about the importance of beavers, and advocate for policies that promote their conservation and restoration. Let's be proactive in ensuring that these amazing water protectors continue to thrive in our rivers and streams. It's time to take action, because dam it, the beavers need our help! Join the beaver brigade and let's work together to save these keystone species and restore our ecosystems. Together, we can make a dam good difference!
Hi Celina,
Love the beaver tail/tale.
The beavers were very active around the Cate Farm when I lived there. One day they brought down an aspen tree that feel across the road. It partially blocked the way, but we could just squeeze around it to get out. I did not like having to get the chainsaw out and cut the tree back. When I returned an hour later the beaver had cut the tree right at the edge of the road and hauled the tree top out of the road so cars could get through easily. I imagined this tree was taken down by a young beaver who did not realize how important it was to keep the road clears so as not to upset the humans. Any old beaver will tell you, that humans can be very destructive when they get mad.
My grandparents had a beaver pond in North Bridgewater and it was a magical place. It was about half a mile down the brook from the "swimming pond" that my uncle stocked with Brook Trout. Woe unto the poor child who failed to heed his Fishing Strictly Prohibited sign, but every year or so he would drain it and all his beloved pets would end up down the beaver pond, where we spent many hours stalking them.