This situation was first noticed around the middle of June when the UAA grounds crews and University police noticed the appearance of a beaver dam adjacent to a pedestrian bridge in the middle of the residence complex. Beavers and their dams are protected under Alaska State Law. Almost immediately, the beaver family began to rebuild. Over the next several weeks, it was the constant battle of the beavers versus the grounds crews. Beavers instinctively try to block or dam water that sounds like it is draining an area.
Ponded water is important to beavers' safety and survival.
Beavers cache their winter supply of branches in water that is 3 feet or greater in deep. While the water level freezes above this level, running water will often remain below, which allows them a safe area of movement and food. Additionally, beavers' travel on land is cumbersome at best, and by spreading out water within their living area they achieve an added level of security where they can swim and paddle through. It had been built by UAA grounds crews. A few weeks later on July 25, a second pond leveler was installed in the existing dam.