I just got word from Mary Obrien about Utah’s new beaver-based water quality website. Check out the new tools and the way they rely on volunteers to monitor the health of their streams. I love seeing beaver science taught on a policy level, but the website looks a little sparse to me. No good photos of beavers and zero reference to Worth A Dam!

Why Beavers?

Beavers are an important part of aquatic ecosystems in Utah. As “ecosystem engineers” they help restore streams, clean the water, and create habitat for other wildlife.

 Scientists at Utah State University need your help in identifying where beavers are located in Utah. Use the fun and easy iPhone or iPad app the next time you see signs of a beaver.

Beaver Effects on Ecosystems and Water Quality

Water Quality – Beaver dams filter excess nutrients and pollution, which improves water quality. Beaver dams also reduce stream channel scouring and erosion of stream banks and decrease sediment loading in lakes and streams.

Hydrology – Beaver dams slow water currents, increasing deposition of sediment and organic material. This stores both water and sediment behind the dam in the beaver pond.

Plants and Animals – The wetlands created by beaver dams provide habitat for plants, which provide food and cover for many types of animals. Beaver ponds help support high diversity and density of bird species. The variety and density of aquatic macroinvertebrates (water bugs) and fish have both been shown to increase in the presence of beaver dams. Beaver dams create ideal habitats for amphibians such as frogs, salamanders, and toads.

Well that’s a good start anyway – (beaver benefits are obviously too myriad to list on a single page, but I like how this is beginning!) There are some great videos on the site teaching volunteers to do basic and not-so-basic water tests, like this one on measuring Dissolved Oxygen.

Want to try monitoring beaver activity yourself? Click here to down load the app.

I just found out that Mary isn’t going to be joining us in Santa Barbara and am so disappointed! Something to do with Idaho and long-horned sheep. The beaver-steelhead conversation will miss your input, Mary. And I will  personally miss your steely resolve! Just in case you forgot who Mary is on the beaver  who’s who list, here’s a reminder from NPR.