Yesterday’s incredible rain nearly erased all sign of the beavers in Alhambra Creek. All the dams were washed away, the filter to Skips flow device was seen floating down stream, and by evening the lodge was merely a hole where beavers used to live. City officials stood cheerfully on the bridge and watched the excellent work their sheetpile did at protecting a single property owner, and news media frantically telephoned to ask if the beavers had washed out to sea. A nice article from Lisa White at the Contra Costa Times here. Good summary from the Bay City News Group, too.
What wasn’t erased, though, was the place the beavers maintain in the hearts of the community. Supporters flocked to the creekside in droves, ambling up and down the banks with cameras. Robert Rust filmed an adult beaver in the afternoon after the lodge was flooded, and looking at the footage it is clear this was Dad. Bob saw at least two other kits hunkered near the black berry bushes, which was enormously comforting for supporters. Whatever happens the family is together, and whether they decide to start over or shake the dust from this complicated little town, we cannot know.
There are more bank holes they could have hunkered for the day. Or dad could easily dig a new one. The habitat is hardly hospitable, but I can’t imagine the Carquinez strait looks any better. Worth A Dam asks for your help keeping watch. Look around Grangers and near the creek for beaver sign – chewing, footprints, etc. We’ll do what we can to figure out what happens. What we know for sure is that our beavers didn’t ‘wash away’. Bob’s footage of Dad’s strong swimming proves that. He even filmed a muskrat swimming against the current so our kits will have no problem in that department. They might decide to leave, but it won’t be because they were whooshed out to sea.
What we don’t know is what will happen next.
(But if by some chance we happen to have beavers when this is finished, they are the best dam beavers in the world and I personally will never doubt them again.)
Words of wisdom:
Gary Bogue: (Animal columnist)
REALLY sorry about the loss of the dam … but very happy the beavers appear to be OK. They’ll rebuild, I’m sure. Please keep me posted. In fact, a short e-mail outlining what happened that I could run in my column so my readers know what happened would be good … that way we could let them know and give your organization a subtle plug in the process. /Gary
Mike Callahan: (Beaver solutions)
As you know by now, beavers are very resourceful and determined. They will rebuild.
Jeff Alvarez (The Wildlife project)
The strength of an animal to survive and persist is second to nothing I know. I don’t believe that these beavers have a sense of loss or fear of stochastic events in the same way that we do. Spending the night in the water or on the bank doesn’t have the same risk as if these beavers were exposed to significant predators. My seemingly emotionless (yet not so at all) guess is that they will see the debris that has washed down the stream as a great source of materials from which to rebuild. Until then, I suspect that they might move around to various secondary bank holes.
Joe Cannon: The Lands Council Beaver Project
oh noooooo! so sorry to hear that! We all know they relentlessly return to places they like, so I’m betting they’ll start setting up shop in their old haunt before we know it. I wish I could send an aspen bouquet to encourage them back! I’ll stay tuned to the site, and let me know if I can support in any way.
Leonard & Lois Houston: Beaver Advocacy Committee South Umpqua Rural Community Partnership
pretty scary when they are flooded the fact they remain is very encouraging sometimes they disappear for days during runoff events but seem to always return, beavers usually continue to use the same site until food supplies are exhausted or dams fill with sediment don’t seem to be the case here so unlikely they will move on.
Craig Cannon: (TV News Stringer East San Francisco Bay Area)
How quick we forget about our furry little treasures just down the road. I videotaped for broadcast, the town and creek flooding. Having lived in the Sierra, I had no doubt the Beavers would come through it. It was just heartwarming seeing the little kids, families, and friends of the beavers, standing in the rain at the creek, with worry, and concern, all rooting for the beavers. I even interviewed Steve Weir, who was anxiously watching the creek, in the area of the former dam. Even in a hardened job like mine, there is something about those beavers that amazes me, and my son. I look forward to the re-build, if we are so blessed. I look at this as a cleansing of the creek. All the man made impurities gone now, the beavers have a fresh place to re-build and prosper. I wish them all the best.
Joanna Chaves:(supporter)
I love the Martinez Beavers and I have fond memories of the stories my mother told me of how the beaver came to be. I love the beaver and since I was a child that was what friends would call me. Of course, I am older now and just appreciate this kindly and beautiful creature. I am so happy there is this organization to make sure the Martinez beavers are looked after. Thanks, Joanna Chavez
