Beaver Dams

September 22, 2022

Question: How can beavers help tamp down wildfire risk?

Answer: Beavers are incredibly good at engineering dams that slow water down and spread it out. The process can help wet larger areas of land inducive to vegetation growth which are much greener and lusher than typical side channel growth in water restricted areas. In turn, this can act as a buffer to wildfires potentially moving through the area by either stopping the spread or slowing it down.

Funding for CDFW’s new beaver restoration program was identified and approved in June as part of the FY 22-23 Budget Act. The program funds dedicated scientists who, once hired by CDFW, will begin working on projects that help the environment by bringing beavers back to California rivers where they once thrived. This is new funding and a new program for CDFW. However, CDFW has been, and still is, involved in beaver restoration activities through some of its fisheries and restoration grant programs.