Beaver Prevention in Lakes and Pond Management

Beavers can be a maintenance nightmare and can lead to costly repairs in ponds and lakes

Beavers are often referred to as, “Nature’s little engineers,” but if you own or manage a stormwater retention pond, you do not want them taking up residence at your facility. They are quite common throughout North Carolina and in large populated areas such as Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Raleigh, Durham, Cary and Charlotte. The first time I saw beaver damage around a riser in a stormwater retention pond I was completely amazed at the amount of material they can move around in order to stop the flow of water. Left unattended, beavers will pile significant amounts of branches, mud and debris around the riser structure, clogging drains and valves, and causing the pond to maintain above-normal water level. Over time, this excess hydrostatic pressure can cause other damage including weakening of the dam, which can lead to a hefty repair bill. Beaver activity can also lead to loss of valuable trees and shrubs in addition to increased risk of flooding. The earlier you can identify beaver activity and remove the animals, the less likely you are to wind up with a hefty repair bill. Routine stormwater BMP maintenance is the best way to identify the early signs of beaver activity and implement a removal plan before costly damage occurs. If you have a beaver activity in your retention, we can help. We have the proper equipment and experience needed to repair any damage they may have caused.  Several adjustments to the design can minimize the beaver’s ability to block the outlet pipes, enabling us to coexist with nature. We can get you set up on a pond and lake management plan going forward to help you minimize the likelihood of another significant beaver event.