Tips, tricks, and a quick peek into the everyday life of the conservation district.
Beavers can construct dams that can flood yards and homes, block culverts, and damage trees as they forage for food and building supplies. Yet despite these challenges, there are many ways for property owners to peacefully coexist with beavers and benefit from their presence.
Read MoreThe life cycle success of a salmon depends directly on the water quality of our streams and rivers. They thrive in cold, clean, and clear water. However, in locations along French Creek, which feeds into the Snohomish River, the water is often warmer than it should be for salmon and other fish, particularly during the summer.
Read MoreWhen Ken Coman first spotted a beaver along the stream on his property outside of Snohomish, his first reaction wasn’t concern, it was curiosity. He started doing some reading about the ecological benefits that beavers provide and decided that his goal wasn’t to get rid of them, but to welcome them instead.
Read MoreIf you were a salmon traveling upstream, your chance of making it to your spawning bed hinges on many factors including the temperature and abundance of water. As a result, continuous streamside tree canopy and resident beavers are critical players in a salmon’s success. Trees shade and cool the water temperature, while beavers’ infrastructure supports consistent streamflow and helps create cool, deep pools.
Read MoreIn addition to its three riparian buffers, Polestar Farm is home to upwards of 20 beaver dams, creating a wetland nested within the forest. The slowed water caused by a beaver dam helps keep horse waste and other pollutants from entering the stream quickly, and also recharges groundwater.
Read MoreLeave it to beaver— as North America’s largest rodent, they have a hefty amount of influence on our lands.
Second only to humans for their ability to shape the landscape, they dam waterways to create ponds for swimming, foraging, lodging and protection against predators. These dams not only create a better living space for beavers, but for other wildlife and, critically, juvenile salmon that also need spaces to forage and hide from predators.
Read MoreBeavers definitely live in the City of Lake Stevens. Snohomish CD and the city work together to help keep them in place for the many benefits beavers provide. Check out our latest webinar talking about how to live with beavers.
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Snohomish Conservation District | 528 91st Ave NE, Lake Stevens, WA 98258 | 425-335-5634
