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Impact of Beavers on Forest Roads and Drainage Systems

When driving along the forest roads of JSC “Latvia's State Forests” (LVM), you can often observe dams made by beavers. They are found both on rivers and streams, as well as in forest drainage systems. Such dams create water surges that affect adjacent areas. If there are forest stands around, it damages them and irreversibly reduces the economic value of these stands.

Dams made by beavers are not the only result of the activity of these animals. Ričards Lapiņš, LVM Vidzeme Region Forest Infrastructure Specialist, while doing his daily work in Rūjiena Forest District, noticed several caves created by beavers over a longer period of time.

“After digging such caves, depressions, and pits form on the surface of the forest road, which endangers traffic safety. The only solution is a complete reconstruction of the structure in a particular section affected by the damage because it is impossible to visually tell how long the cave has been dug under the road. Fortunately, these damages do not affect the main road,” says Ričards Lapiņš, LVM Vidzeme Region Forest Infrastructure Specialist.

Beavers build a dam with one purpose – to keep the entrance to their caves under water for safety reasons. If the dam is demolished, there is a good chance that the caves will open up and it is possible that one of the predators will find the cave. However, it is interesting that a place suitable for beavers rarely remains empty for long. If a colony of beavers moves, is hunted, or becomes a victim of predators, after a while another will settle in that place.