Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Examining The Impacts Of Beaver Dam Analogues And Groundwater Storage On Miners Creek, California, Miles Munding-Becker

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Beavers have been altering streams in North America for millions of years by impounding water behind their dams. The recent historical removal (intensely throughout the 18^th and 19^th century) of these dams altered the hydrology in low gradient streams from dynamic anastomosing streams and wet meadow complexes to incised channels with little structural diversity. Anthropogenic structures called Beaver Dam Analogues (BDAs) are used as a restorative process by mimicking natural beaver dams that can reverse channel incision, increase ponded and groundwater storage, and provide low velocity habitat for aquatic species and vegetation. A system of four original BDAs …