Beavers are essential to the health of rivers and their surrounding habitat. By building dams, beavers form deep, slow-moving pools that provide the perfect habitat for fish, especially during periods of extreme heat like the one we have been experiencing. Creating these deep pools lowers the water temperature, making the conditions ideal for many of New Mexico’s native fish species such as cutthroat trout and chub.

By slowing the water, dams reduce the risk of flooding, providing fish with a safer environment. With less flooding, sediment and organic material can settle to the bottom of the river, improving water quality and promoting insect life, thereby increasing available food. Additionally, beavers create wetland environments along rivers by dispersing water over a larger area and expanding the riparian zone. This stimulates the growth of more wildlife while also reducing the dangers of wildfires and drought. Beavers are returning across the state, but for them to fully resurge, more people need to adopt their presence.

Elison Quirante-Bonnell Santa Fe