WWRC 86-05s
Beaver, Water Quality, and Riparian Systems
Abstract
Studies are discussed which show that a complex of
beaver dams can improve the quality of water flowing
through them. Compared to stream sections above or
below the dams, export from the complexes was
estimated to be less by 50-75 percent for suspended
solids, less by 20-65 percent for total phosphorus and
total Kjeldahl nitrogen, and less by 20-25 percent for
nitrate-nitrogen. Next, work is summarized which
suggests that the presence of beaver dams also can
protect riparian areas from erosive perturbations, if
these perturbations are not too great.
In general discussions about riparian areas, climate
and herbivory normally are mentioned as the important
factors affecting riparian systems, and in altering
them. However, data are reviewed which strongly
implicate beaver as another significant regulatory
factor in riparian systems; the removal of beaver
during the past several centuries may have had unappreciated
and far-reaching consequences. Thus in
terms of management, almost any work enhancing
our understanding of beaver and their interaction with
the riparian system is of potential use. In some cases
management using this knowledge or other can be
inexpensive, but not always. Therefore, a major
challenge associated with riparian areas in the coming
decades is to politicians; they must devise mechanisms
that 1) will allow use of initially expensive
management schemes, 2) minimize "abuse" of the
land, and 3) also will yield long-term profits.
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