Beavers thrive year-round in wooded areas near streams, rivers, ponds, and marshes. To create a suitable living space, beavers can transform low-lying areas into flourishing wetlands by damming streams and rivers. Once a shallow valley or field is flooded with water, beavers construct a lodge made of sticks and mud in the middle of the pond. These dome-like structures are accessible only from underneath the water and provide shelter for several generations of beaver families. Beavers can also burrow into riverbanks to create suitable living spaces.