RESTORATION PLAN Glade Creek Stream Restoration Alleghany ...

control measure. There is no guarantee that the beavers wouldn’t return and build a new damnear the present pond location if it is removed. This design approach, by retaining the impoundedwater in the existing pond, should allow the beavers to continue limited activity, whilediscouraging them from building new dams in the project area.2.7.5b. Research on Beaver Activity and Stream/Riparian Zone EcologyMuch research has been published on the beneficial ecological effects of beaver activity. In theRocky Mountain region, beaver have been shown to facilitate regeneration of long absent riparianvegetation (if cattle grazing was properly managed), and improve conditions for trout (Smith1980; Munther 1981; Johnson 1984). Lack of beaver dams and imposition of grazing had led tochannel incision and deterioration of trout habitat in the mountain valley creeks. Stocking beaverand initially providing them with aspen cuttings as food and dam-building material enabled themto impound water, which rejuvenated riparian zones. In such terrain, healing creeks with beaverproved to be more economical than traditional measures (Johnson 1984). Beaver help resistadverse perturbation of riparian areas, and their ponds improve chemical water quality (Parker1986).The reintroduction of beaver has demonstrated: 1) an elevated water table upstream of the dam,which in turn improves vegetation condition, reduces water velocities, reduces bank erosion, andimproves fish habitat (increased water depth, better food production, higher dissolved oxygen,and various water temperatures), 2) reduced sedimentation downstream of the dam, 3) increasedwater storage, 4) improved water quality, and 5) more waterfowl nesting and brooding areas(McKinstry et al. 2001). In North Carolina beavers have naturally re-introduced themselves, buttheir effects on the environment are the same as if they were artificially re-introduced, as in muchof the published research to date.15