Caltrans District 5 has an example of beaver stewardship they carried out in response to flooding in Monterey County. A beaver had dammed a drainage, which was beginning to flood the adjacent roadbed of a new freeway project in Prunedale. Caltrans’ options were to do nothing, depredate the beaver, or try out a Pond Leveler device.
The decision to leave this beaver pond intact was significant as it supplies one of the few perennial sources of fresh water to wildlife in this area otherwise dominated by roads, housing, and agriculture.
After the beaver arrived, federally listed Threatened California red-legged frog, federal/state Threatened California tiger salamander, Western pond turtle, waterfowl and many other species were observed utilizing this lush habitat. Caltrans’ effort to conserve this critical habitat is commendable.
Kevin Swift of Swift Water Design prepares the beaver dam for the installation of a Pond Leveler device.
The team starts by creating a small, temporary space in the dam, as seen above.
The decision to leave this beaver pond intact is significant as it supplies one of the few perennial sources of fresh water to wildlife in this area otherwise dominated by roads, housing, and agriculture.
Since the beaver arrived, federally listed Threatened California red-legged frog, federal/state Threatened California tiger salamander, Western pond turtle, waterfowl and many other species have been observed utilizing this lush habitat. Caltrans’ effort to conserve this critical habitat is commendable.
This beaver pond is in close proximity to a well-used road, but coexistence methods mitigate flooding while ensuring continued habitat.