Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations I'm pretty sure only I have had this problem

I've not had to deal with many of the problems I've read on this site. However, I don't think many of you have ever had to face the realities of flesh-eating subterranean water-polluting beavers.

Ok, I don't have any direct proof of the "flesh-eating" part, but the rest is confirmed. I am preparing to begin excavation of my two ponds--one designed for RT, the second for YP/SMB/RES. The ponds are fed by a spring that comes from a cave on my property. For the past five years, this spring has consistently run crystal clear and steady. About eight weeks ago, we did some initial work, creating a small pool outside the cave and diverting the spring flow around the construction area to facilitate some drying and allowing us to work without the flow of water through the construction site. The pool was near total clarity.

Much to my surprise, the diversion ditch was promptly plugged by a beaver dam. This seemed particularly odd since beavers are not that common around here and there isn't a significant lake or river within many miles of this property. In any event, it happened. We tore the dam down (twice), and it was promptly rebuilt within 24 hours each time. Then, as I considered trapping and other options, the beavers elected to leave it alone--GREAT!

Now the new problem. It appears that the beavers have now moved underground into the cave. I found beaver scat in the cave and gnawed branches in the cave. This is actually fine with me. What is not fine is that they appear to have messed up the water quality! My water now runs a deep clay-laden mud color.

My hypothesis--somewhere back in the cave (beavers can go farther in it than I can), the beavers have dammed up the underground "stream". This is causing the collapse of clay into the water, which is then being carried out of the stream. I suspect that this will eventually self-resolve (there is only so much clay back in the flooded parts to be carried out), but it is sure churning out a lot of muddy water at the moment.

AARGH!

My guess is they might be digging their new home further back in the cave.

that's what I'm thinking about as well. Makes it incredibly hard to monitor/remove them.

How many trees are growing in the cave? They gotta come out to eat sometime........

They will forage outside the cave. I would surely get rid of him/HER before next spring. Should be easily trapped entering & leaving the cave.

Off topic but your place sounds cool as heck, you got any pictures showing the stream flowing from the cave? Are you southern mo? With the scout troop we have explored a lot of caves, fun stuff

I think the place has a lot of potential. I've got some photos and will post as soon as I can. The property is in Texas County Missouri (south central). I suspect I'll have to try to trap them coming and going. Just seems totally weird they are there in the first place. There just aren't that many beavers in southern Missouri in the first place.

Get n8ly to don his scuba gear and get VC on those beaver.

Lets just send in Justin and Allen........that is a much better idea.

Other suggestions:
1. Release a ferocious animal that will hunt down and eat the beaver
2. Pirhannas just may do the trick?
2. Smoke 'em out
3. Clear all wood away from the cave for miles and they will have to leave
4. JHAP will take over from here, I cant give out too much FREE advice