Beaver draining pond..how???

Question

Ok... I have a little beaver in my pond. I've found his den, but no dam. My pond level has receeded 3 ft in 2 weeks. We walked the perimeter, found no moisture/leakage. Where's the water gone? its not evaporation, no other ponds in my area are experiencing this kind of loss.... so how do I find and fix the problem?

Answer 1

i would check the area surrounding your pond and look for holes.  the beaver may have dug a tunnel from inside the pond to a area on the banks somewhere.  but don't touch the beaver because the state may consider it a wetland and that means you cant alter the pond in any way.

Answer 2

Call your local Department of Natural Resources before you do anything.  They may be able to give some insight on the problem and tell you what to can legally do about it!!

Answer 3

Beaver constantly maintain water levels with mud.  In the springtime, they usually stop maintenance for the summer to go scout other areas, and may or may not return. The water will drain down.

In the fall, if a beaver decides to make your pond his winter residence, he will start plugging any leaks again, which are usually below the water line.  The only reason a beaver would build a actual dam is if there is an area of substantial water drainage, like plugging up a culvert or spillway.