Partnering With Beaver in River Restoration: Case Studies from Oregon and Utah
Location
Ellen Eccles Conference Center
Event Website
https://forestry.usu.edu/htm/video/conferences/restoring-the-west-conference-2014/
Abstract
Increasingly, the river restoration community recognizes the important role that North American beaver (Castor Canadensis) historically and currently play in structuring and maintaining riverine ecosystems. Because of this, restoration practioners and river scientists are, “partnering with beaver” in river rehabilitation and restoration projects throughout the west. Essentially, the natural dam building activities of beaver increase instream geomorphic complexity and increase and enhance floodplain connectivity which supports a productive and healthy riparian community. By mimicking and supporting the dam building activities of beaver, restoration practioners seek to speed the rate of geomorphic recovery of degraded rivers, particularly rivers that are currently in an incised condition. Here we showcase two case studies from eastern Oregon and northern Utah to provide examples of collaborative river restoration projects that utilize beaver. Emphasis is placed on the geomorphic and hydrologic assessments used to inform restoration design, monitoring and implementation.
Partnering With Beaver in River Restoration: Case Studies from Oregon and Utah
Ellen Eccles Conference Center
Increasingly, the river restoration community recognizes the important role that North American beaver (Castor Canadensis) historically and currently play in structuring and maintaining riverine ecosystems. Because of this, restoration practioners and river scientists are, “partnering with beaver” in river rehabilitation and restoration projects throughout the west. Essentially, the natural dam building activities of beaver increase instream geomorphic complexity and increase and enhance floodplain connectivity which supports a productive and healthy riparian community. By mimicking and supporting the dam building activities of beaver, restoration practioners seek to speed the rate of geomorphic recovery of degraded rivers, particularly rivers that are currently in an incised condition. Here we showcase two case studies from eastern Oregon and northern Utah to provide examples of collaborative river restoration projects that utilize beaver. Emphasis is placed on the geomorphic and hydrologic assessments used to inform restoration design, monitoring and implementation.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/rtw/2014/Posters/8