Vol 53, 2001 - Northern State University

~PRESIDENT'S PAGEAt the fall 2000 meeting of SDOU~Todd Mortenson of Pierre talkedabout beavers' integral part in retainingwater, improving water qualityand stopping erosion on his land.On a recent trip to Newton HillsState Park, I observed that beavershad begun building a series of terracedponds along Sargeant Creek.Those familiar with Newton Hillsknow that erosion is a problem in thepark and along Sargeant Creek.Spring runoff and storm water haveripped through Sargeant Creek, cuttingdeep into the earth. A series ofbeaver ponds slows this runoff, givingtime for the soil to settle to thebottom of the ponds, thus filling thedeep cuts. The water entering the BigSioux River from Sargeant Creekwould not contain as much sediment.Ponds provide a source of waterduring the summer months for birds and other animals, as well as plant species.Another benefit I have observed from beaver dams is that the spillways of thesedams remain open in the winter, giving wildlife a valuable source of water duringthe cold months. It occurs to me that beaver dams along Sargeant Creek mustbe valuable parts of the ecology of Newton Hills, but since the time of the HudsonBay Company, beaver have been trapped in South Dakota. Today, beavercan be trapped in East River South Dakota from 4 November to 30 April, withinNewton Hills, as well as other areas. Jon Corey, the Park Manager at NewtonHills, believes it would be unlikely for the beaver at Sargeant Creek to betrapped. Beaver are thought by most to be destructive animals, because they cutdown trees they use for food and dam building. I believe this view is shortsighted,and if beavers were allowed to continue, the long-term result would be ahealthier ecosystem. Make no mistake, the initial result of beaver would be thedestruction of trees, including trees of great age, but, in time, new growth wouldbegin along the edges of the ponds, creating new plant communities. The ecologyof Newton Hills developed with beaver being an integral part. The plantsand animals are adapted to the activities of beaver. I would like to watch howbeaver affect Sargeant Creek, and trust that the final outcome would be beneficial.I hope beaver will remain in Newton Hills State Park, but anyone with atrapping permit can remove them. The worst case would be if the beavers wereallowed to work for a few years and then be removed, leaving the creek withouttrees or a dams to control erosion; beaver need to be protected.At Beaver Creek Nature Area near Sioux Falls there is another natural proc-SOUTH DAKOTA BIRD NOTES 53(2): 23 JUNE 2001