How to prevent beavers from damming culverts in Vermont | Beaver

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Vermont > Animal is plugging drains, pipes and ditches > Beaver

Step 1

Trapezoidal protective fence installed after re-opening dammed culvert

Beavers can dramatically alter the environment in which they live through damming. Damming of road culverts, both at the mouth and inside the pipe, often results in flooding and can cause serious damage. Techniques used to mitigate the flooding damage caused by beavers include breaching of beaver dams, protecting road culverts with fences or guards, and controlling water levels with water flow devices. Whenever possible, methods that maintain the functions and values of the wetland habitats should be implemented first.

All these techniques require a significant amount of effort and regular maintenance to ensure desired water levels.

Initial costs to install and maintain culvert guards/meshes or water flow devices are typically less than the costs to repair roads, property or buildings damaged by flooding. Recognizing chronic or potential problem sites and taking proactive preventive measures may be more cost-effective in the long run.

Dam construction by beavers is an instinctive behavior caused by water-flow sensation and the sound associated with running water that stimulates dam building activity. Culverts, especially ones made of metal, will resonate the sound of the water rushing through them. When installing new or replacing old culverts it is recommended to go with the largest diameter smooth wall plastic culvert possible. Smaller culverts are much more susceptible to being blocked by beaver. Plastic culverts reduce the noise level and the smooth walls make removing any dam material much easier. Beavers will commonly block road culverts with sticks, mud, and rocks. Culverts blocked from the inside are difficult to clean and potentially dangerous. The use of meshes and grills, placed on both the upstream and downstream ends of the culvert, can prevent beavers from entering (but also increase the risk of floating debris catching on the grill restricting the flow into the culvert).

See the following steps and illustrations for potential solutions:
(NOTE: All of the following require at least annual (and sometimes weekly) maintenance in order to continue to function appropriately)

Step 2

Trapezoidal fence

A trapezoidal beaver fence physically excludes beavers from plugging road culvert intakes.

This fence allows water to flow over dams and through culverts while keeping culverts clear. It also prevents beavers from detecting the flow of water into the culvert.

Step 3

Triangular mesh beaver guard

Mesh beaver guards prevent beavers from building dams inside culverts. They require regular cleaning, and may block fish, but are inexpensive to install.

Make sure to take them down in winter, as they can be damaged by ice and snow.

Step 4

Removable pull-rod grill beaver guard

The removable pull rod grill prevents beavers from swimming into culverts and building dams. It is held in place by the current. Rods are inserted through a horizontal bar and driven about 6 inches into the streambed in front of the culvert. Remove the rods to clean and remove debris.

The pull rod grill is easier to remove than wire mesh because there are no horizontal bars to catch beaver-placed materials. After most material is cleared, you can pull posts out allowing the current to wash away any remaining branches, leaves, and mud.

Step 5

Culvert protector-cleaner

The culvert protector-cleaner is constructed by welding steel rods approximately 4 inches apart across a looped chain. The upper end is held by a bolt placed through the top of the culvert. The tail end is looped back and anchored on the road bank. The end of the chain can be attached to a vehicle and the grill flipped up onto the road to clear the culvert.

Step 6

Deep water beaver fence

Deep water beaver fences maintain constant water levels and keep culverts clear and intact in larger waterways. Keep fences clear of debris. Install a water level control device to help regulate water levels. The larger the exclosure, the more effective it will be.

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Source:

The Use of Water Flow Devices in Addressing Flooding Problems Caused by Beaver in Massachusetts -

Susan Langlois

Thomas Decker

Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

July 22, 2004

State specific info - Vermont - Beaver

Because beaver create such valuable wildlife habitat, the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife has a long-standing program to provide technical assistance to landowners and municipalities to help resolve beaver/human conflicts. This assistance might include the installation of water control structures, protective fences, and advice on beaver population control if necessary. Other organizations and individuals may offer the same types of assistance. For more information see the VFWD publication "Best Management Practices for Resolving Human/Beaver Conflicts".

Best Management Practices for Resolving Human-Beaver Conflicts in Vermont6.89 MB

Laws and regulations to be aware of

Regulations for Vermont

Furbearing animals doing damage In Vermont, landowners can legally protect their property from damage caused by rabbits and furbearing animals through lethal means. Anyone receiving compensation for trapping furbearers doing damage must hold a valid Vermont trapping license.
Removing Beaver Dams There are many rules and regulations surrounding wetlands, including beaver created wetlands. Landowners should contact VT Fish and Wildlife or the Department of Environmental Conservation before removing beaver dams older than two years. Beaver dams less than two years can be removed but should be removed slowly, lowering the water level no more than one foot per day. This work should be done by hand rather than machinery to better control the release of water. This helps reduce downstream erosion, sediment deposition and the potential for downstream property damage.

While we attempt to provide guidance about state and federal regulations pertaining to specific species and control techniques, we do not provide information about local jurisdictions (city, town, county, etc.) where regulations may be more restrictive, especially as it applies to discharge of firearms, transport of animals or use of trapping equipment. Contact your local city or county government to inquire further. No guarantee is made that information (or lack of information) associated with a species or control technique is completely accurate or current. You should become familiar with federal, state and local laws before beginning any wildlife control activities.

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