The heavy winter and wet spring of 2010 caused significant leakage in the dam and heavy flow through the culvert. (For those of you who are new here, it is the sound and feel of running water that simulates the instinct to dam.)
Three years ago, we stymied their efforts to dam the culvert pipes by clearing them and installing a culvert protection cage. This allowed the ponds to level and controlled the flow through the culvert.
For three years they weren't bothered by the relatively slow and distant outflow, but this winter's snow has caused another dramatic rise in the pond height with a similar impact on beaver activity. Only now, they are damming the INSIDE of the culvert pipes.
So the struggle for peaceful co-existence is on once again. This is something we have to stay on top of until we come up with a solution. More rain means more damming. Dropping pond level will stop the damming.
Right now, the last two of the four culvert pipes are clean. Here I am doing my reverse beaver imitation on the first pipe along with some closing commentary from one of the beavers.
