Andrew and his colleagues worked at Glacier Ridge Metro Park today to install a beaver dam flow through device. Metro Parks would like to keep the beaver and dam because it is creating excellent wetland habitat at no cost. In this particular situation a beaver has dammed a drainage ditch that flows through the park and drains other private individuals property. In an attempt to maintain an acceptable water level, this device, built by Andrew, will allow the beaver dam to stay in place and the water to drain through it. This is the first time this type of device has been used in the parks and if it works- the beaver will be able to remain at Glacier Ridge as one of nature's greatest wetland architects.
The basket (below prior to installation) Andrew made functions to allow water to flow into the tubing but excludes debris, limbs, turtles etc that might clog the entrance to the tube. It's made of heavy metal rebar and anchored in place. The tubing goes over the beaver dam and the beaver will likely do some additional construction in the area around it so later the tube won't be so noticeable.
