Dam Beavers

Gray Merriam | Oct 26, 2022

Once more I see neighbours tearing out the beaver dam outside our window.

The dam busters think only that the dam raises the water level. They may believe that lake levels should be absolutely constant. That would not be normal. Water levels change with seasons and with rain. Here on the Canadian Shield there is not much to hold the rain. It just runs off.

The dam busters may have built things below the highwater mark or maybe the height of their dock can’t be adjusted. No, it’s that damn dam.

Tearing out the dam sets the beavers off. They need water so they can travel under the ice. So they try to fix the damaged dam. They cut materials for the job not on the properties of the dam busters but on our place. Over and over after each visit of the dam busters.

If the beaver dam does not do actual property damage, regulations suggest no dam busting. If property is damaged, humane control of beavers is suggested. Does our culture have any guidelines for valuing our natural riches?

- Gray Merriam