Beaver dams deployed to fight drought across US West

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 21:31 · Archive

Conservation groups are installing artificial beaver habitats to harness the animals' natural dam-building to combat drought in the western United States.

Conservation groups and government agencies are increasing their use of artificial beaver habitats to encourage the animals to settle in watersheds across the US West. These 'starter homes' are made of wood and brush and are designed to prompt beavers to move in and expand upon the structures with their own construction.

Beaver dams provide multiple benefits. They slow moving water in ways that promote localized year-round water availability, create habitat for native fish and provide natural breaks that slow wildfires. Proponents argue that increasing active beaver dams will make ecosystems more resilient, a strategy they say is increasingly vital as climate change and overuse make the US West drier.

Jackson Ramsay's family ranch in southwest Wyoming is one of many areas adopting the approach. Despite recently experiencing the worst-ever winter snowpack and record-setting heat, water on the ranch flowed slowly through multiple branches and pools behind beaver dams, with young willows flourishing from the moisture. The ranch now hosts more than 100 human-made beaver dams in addition to natural ones. Nick Walrath, a project manager for Trout Unlimited, pitched the idea to Ramsay and describes beavers as having 'one thing in their blood and that's to dam streams up and make deep water habitat so they can survive'.

How it is being reported

• Bringing more beavers to watersheds is a powerful drought-fighting tool, experts sayJackson Ramsay's family ranch in southwest Wyoming is embracing beavers as nature's engineers.News4Jax · 19 Oct, 14:00
• Bringing more beavers to watersheds is a powerful drought-fighting tool, experts sayJackson Ramsay's family ranch in southwest Wyoming is embracing beavers as nature's engineers.Clickorlando · 19 Oct, 14:00

In this story: Jackson Ramsay · Nick Walrath · Trout Unlimited · Wyoming · Green River · US West

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