It’s been a very strange couple of beaver days. At the end of August I posted that I had carefully gone through my hoard of “good beaver news” and that it was time to expect some bad beaver news as more folks got worried about flooding. Then I started  getting deluged with good beaver news. In 24 hours my holding bin is once again filled to the brim. I don’t pretend to understand it.

And not just ‘any’ good beaver news, either. But the most hoped for and argued against all reasonable hope for. The spots where my beaver sensibilities were the most chafed and sore. Suddenly feeling lighter. I don’t understand it at all.

Yesterday I told you about the new research in South America, well later on phys.org AND the Science blog reported it. It’s already made its way to the desks of every scientist, Let’s hope it sparks a flurry of new research as Pantagonia considers whether lemons can, indeed, make lemonade.

And yesterday this report dropped from the VERY same reporter in the VERY same state we bemoaned a week ago. Someone is clearly playing with me.

DNR Researching Effectiveness Of Beaver Dam Management On Trout Population

For years, many wildlife managers have assumed removing beaver dams on streams helps trout populations. It allows the streams to run colder and more free, conditions trout generally like. In an episode of The Stream last month, we showed you how wildlife managers often use explosives to remove dams.

“It’s really important to have these free-flowing from the very top, the cold-water sources, in many cases, all the way through to the larger systems,” said Jeremy Irish, who works with the USDA Wildlife Services program, as part of that story.

But now, a DNR researcher is testing just how true the management theory is.

What what? Wisconsin is doing actual RESEARCH on their dearly held little theory? And Ben Meyer is reporting on it? Someone pinch me, I might be dreaming.

“We’re trying to fill in the gaps in the understanding of how beaver are affecting these streams and trout populations in them,” said DNR fisheries research scientist Matt Mitro. “The trout population itself, if you have a beaver interrupting flow in a stream and creating different types of habitat, are you increasing trout population? Decreasing trout population? Changing the size structure?”

The assumption about positive impacts for trout is based on decades-old data from one part of the state. Mitro is now studying 15 streams statewide, manipulating some to allow for beaver dam-building and having dams removed on others.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Matt Mitro is a fisheries biologist with the DNR. Apparently he didn’t grow up in the state, so he didn’t drink the koolaide. The Wisconsin Center for Wildlife describe him this way:

Matthew Mitro is a fisheries research scientist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Based in Madison, Matt has been working with the DNR since 2003 on statewide fisheries issues with a focus on trout in Wisconsin’s inland streams. Matt has also worked for the EPA’s Atlantic Ecology Division and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. He earned his Ph.D. in fisheries at Montana State University studying Rainbow Trout recruitment.

Now this is exciting. Ladies and Gentlemen we finally have ourselves a real horse race. I wouldn’t claim to know how the story is going to end before its written but its hard to imagine that if you compare beaver streams to non beaver streams you won’t find something positive.

He said his research could change how the state manages its beaver dams and trout streams.

“Wisconsin DNR fisheries management expends a certain portion of their budget for maintaining this program. Are we wisely spending that money? Or are there ways that we could improve how we’re doing it?” he said.

Mitro hopes to release data as he gets it.

Matt, you are our new HERO. Someone willing to actually do the unthinkable and LOOK at the data for a change. I’m so glad you bumped onto the scene and will share your findings with us. I, for one, cannot wait.