Beavers Build Drought Resilience

Beavers build dams, dig channels, and change small streams into broad wetland areas. Their ponds and channels in particular slow down water and spread it out in the landscape. This gives that water more time to soak into the soil, which ultimately keeps plants green and lush even during periods of drought. The channels the beavers dig almost act like a little drip irrigation system running throughout the entire riparian zone. Whether it’s just the usual hot dry summers or a prolonged multi-year drought, the beavers have it covered. Their activity keeps riparian plants green by maintaining access to water in the root zone.

Changing precipitation patterns in the Midwest region means we will be seeing both increased periods of drought and more frequent, more intense rain storms that will lead to flooding. More beaver wetlands will help increase our resilience to both drought and flooding. 

Beaver dams elevate the water table, so in addition to the water storage in the beaver pond itself, there's also a lot of water storage underneath the land. So all of that water storage that occurs when there’s excess water available water continues to feed the stream during drought, which helps the stream flow all year long.

Drought in Illinois has different impacts depending on the month. For example, Illinois State Climatologist reported in September 2024:

"Drought in mid-September is decidedly different than drought in mid-July, but nonetheless impactful. Agricultural impacts from our current drought situation include deteriorating pasture conditions, moisture stress and potential yield loss in soybeans and late planted corn, and stress from disease and insect pressure that are made worse by dry conditions. The dryness does help progress crop dry-down and timely harvest; however, dry conditions also increase fire risk in fields and adjacent ditches."