Get Help With Beavers
Practical solutions for living alongside beavers while protecting your property.
Beavers sometimes create challenges for landowners by flooding roads, damaging trees, or blocking culverts. The good news is that there are proven, humane solutions that allow beavers to stay while addressing these concerns. The Arkansas Beaver Committee can help you find the right approach for your situation.
Common Beaver Challenges
Flooding & Water Levels
Beaver dams can raise water levels and flood roads, fields, or structures. Rather than removing the dam (which beavers will quickly rebuild), flow devices offer a permanent solution.
Solution: Pond Levelers
Pond levelers (also called beaver deceivers or pipe systems) are pipes installed through beaver dams that maintain water at a desired level. Beavers don't detect the water loss because the intake is placed away from the dam. These devices:
- âAllow you to control water levels precisely
- âAre a one-time installation with minimal maintenance
- âLet beavers stay, providing ongoing ecosystem benefits
- âCost less than repeated dam removal over time
Culvert Blockages
Beavers are attracted to the sound of running water and often dam culverts, which can flood roads and cause expensive damage.
Solution: Culvert Protectors
Culvert protective fences are trapezoidal or cylindrical fences installed around culvert intakes. They prevent beavers from accessing the culvert while allowing water and fish to pass freely. Benefits include:
- âPrevent road flooding and washouts
- âRequire little ongoing maintenance
- âMore cost-effective than repeated clearing
Tree Damage
Beavers cut trees for food and building materials. While this benefits ecosystems overall, it can be a concern when valuable ornamental or timber trees are targeted.
Solution: Tree Protection
Individual trees can be protected with wire mesh or hardware cloth wrapped around the trunk. For larger areas, fencing can exclude beavers from specific zones.
- âWrap trunks with 2x4" welded wire mesh, 3-4 feet high
- âLeave a few inches between mesh and bark
- âPaint trunks with sand-textite paint as a deterrent
- âFocus protection on valuable trees near water
Need Personalized Help?
The Arkansas Beaver Committee offers free technical assistance to landowners dealing with beaver-related challenges. We can:
- âĸAssess your specific situation
- âĸRecommend appropriate solutions
- âĸProvide guidance on flow device installation
- âĸConnect you with experienced installers