Beaver damming
How to tackle beaver
damming conflicts
Beavers build dams to create a sufficient depth of water that gives them protection from predators but this can cause localised flooding problems for people.
Any land manager tackling a beaver damming conflict should seek professional advice from the relevant regulatory authority as work needs to be carried out without causing pollution and consideration needs to be given to animal welfare and the potential fish passage implications. Each site will vary and need to be considered on a site-by-site basis.
Different methods for
resolving damming conflicts
Flow Devices
- In some specific circumstances, where other options, including making space in the riparian zone, are not feasible a flow device is a potential semi- permanent solution to a beaver damming conflict.
- The device’s inflow pipe is submerged away from the dam and protected from blockage by a wire-mesh cage. Submergence masks the sound and feel of water leaving the pond from the beavers.
- The outflow pipe installed in the dam allows water to pass through it, lowering the water level enough to prevent flooding of the land around it while preserving the beavers wetland habitat.
- Flow devices should not be installed where salmonid passage is required.
- Flow devices will not work well in all landscapes as beavers can build new dams further along the watercourse.
Dam Notching / Removal
- On occasions dams may need to be managed or even removed.
- Breaching a dam will immediately reduce water levels but one-off management may be ineffective as beavers can repair breaches within a matter of hours if they are determined.
- Similarly dam removal may see dams re-built within 24 to 48 hours in active beaver territories.
- Different dams are more important to beavers and some are therefore likely to take more persistent management to address issues. Frequent monitoring and management is required for dam notching and removal to achieve desired outcomes.
Culvert Protector
- A culvert protector prevents culverts becoming blocked by beaver activity.
- A fence constructed of fence posts and wire-mesh is built around the culvert preventing beavers from accessing and damming it.
- Where it is desired that beavers and other animals need to use the culvert for passage a T-pipe can be mounted within the fence that permits animals and beavers to pass through but prevents them from carrying sticks and other materials in.
- A roof may need to be fitted to the culvert protector in areas where the water level fluctuates substantially to prevent beavers being able to bypass the fencing during periods of high flow.
- Culvert protectors will nearly always need a permit and will require consideration for fish passage.
TIPS & additional considerations
- Dams are a legally protected feature and removing an established dam (over 2 weeks old) is likely to require a licence. See licensing information below.
- Dams should be left in place if possible prior to exploring some of the above options.
- Interferences with dams can increase tree felling so it is worth considering any important trees nearby that might require protection..
- Dam function (natal or forage access) can influence beaver motivation to re-dam.
- Seek professional advice before dam mitigation and consult regulations especially regarding species protection and obstacles in the water course.
- Flow devices will always need a permit and will require consideration for fish passage.
Licensing in Each Country:
As of 1st October 2022 beavers are recognised as a European Protected Species in England.
Removing, notching or installing a flow device in a beaver dam < 2 weeks old does not require a licence but removing notching or installing a flow device in a beaver dam > 2 weeks old does require a licence under the current management framework.
If you own or manage land that is affected by beaver damming, go to: Beavers: how to manage them and when you need a licence – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) for more information
As of 1st May 2019 beavers are a recognised as a European Protected Species in Scotland.
Removing, notching or installing a flow device in a beaver dam < 2 weeks old does not require a licence but removing notching or installing a flow device in a beaver dam > 2 weeks old does require a licence under the current management framework.
If you own or manage land that is affected by beaver damming contact NatureScot by email on beavers@nature.scot or by phone on 01463 725 000
Beavers are not currently a protected species in Wales.
If you own or manage land that is affected by beaver damming contact the Welsh Beaver Project for support on beaver.afanc@
Our team is here to help
Dr Roisin Campbell-Palmer
Head of Restoration
Dr Robert Needham
Restoration Manager
Sheelagh McAllister
Field Officer
Alana Skilbeck
Restoration Project Officer
Our restoration team have worked on beaver reintroduction projects across Britain and Europe and are highly experienced in beaver management and conflict resolution. If you own of manage land that is affected by beavers email them at restoration@beavertrust.org for FREE advice.
