Show BEAVER BUILDERS IN BLUE MOUNTAINS by ralph jensen during the summer of 1939 about 60 beaver were trapped from the east side of the la sal mountains and placed in several streams in the blue mountains to the west of monticello two years have now passed in which time these wide tailed ailed engineers have been establishing themselves in their new environment they have built dams in the main stream channels only to have these dams washed out each spring by the high water in places the beaver have built their dams in in a small side draw from the main channel such dams are now in in evidence in indian creek and spring creek some people may question 1 the worth of these animals especially in the way they cut and use aspen as they cut many trees which never are used in building dams in mountain streams above and away from farms and irrigation ditches the beaver has a place his dams check the onrush on rush of water they catch much mud and soil material and help keep the water clear and clean these dams make good fish ponds and safe homes for small fish to grow in and older fish to spawn for the beaver eats only vegetation and not fish as some may still think it has been estimated that a beaver in his proper place is worth but out of his proper environment viron ment he may do considerable d damage a m a 9 e and become a nuisance dawni some beaver have moved down into farm irrigation ditches several farmers report it is intended to trap these fellows alive and return them to the mountain streams your cooperation in reporting such cases rather than killing the animals will be appreciated this fall several thousand fish were planted in these beaver dams in in indian creek but more about fish next issue |