Chumstick Beaver Dam Analog - Leavenworth, WA

Beaver Dam Analogs (BDAs) model the natural structures created by beavers, which help slow and spread water as it passes through a river or creek. By installing BDAs, we are allowing the water in the creek to spread horizontally throughout the riparian zone, which then irrigates the plant species for a longer duration than if the water immediately rushed past the landscape. A wider seepage of subsurface irrigation means wider riparian zones, more wildlife habitat, more biomass, better wildfire breaks, and higher water tables, which on this particular site benefits the dryland agroforestry crops.