By Chad Ingram

Published May 26 2016

There were reports this spring of beaver dams bursting in Minden Hills township apparently the result of their builders moving elsewhere.

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry while the beaver population in the area is considered stable it is common for dams to burst during the spring freshet if beavers have moved on or suffered a worse fate.

“Overall beaver populations in the Bancroft District [which includes Haliburton County] are cyclic in nature but at this time the population could be described as stable” ministry senior media relations officer Jolanta Kowalski wrote in an email to the paper. “There are localized areas where beaver populations are increasing and other showing decline. Natural cycles of food availability and predation play important roles in this natural cycle.

“Beaver dams commonly burst as a result of a lack of repair by resident beaver. If the beaver in a local wetland have moved on for natural reasons or were predated upon the dam could become weak and burst. This commonly occurs at this time of year during the spring freshet and high water levels. The ministry is aware of this natural process and encourages landowners to manage beaver dams on their property to enhance public safety and prevent property damage on their properties and adjacent properties.”