Impressive Beaver Dam

I go camping to this spot in the Catskills of New York State, U.S. every year. However, I missed last year because of a scheduling problem. When I went back this year, a beaver dam had been constructed across what two years ago was a completely unimpeded stream. It gives one new appreciation for the saying "busy as a beaver."

Dang, Joe; that *is* impressive! What's the wetland upstream look like now?

I'm not 100% certain without seeing a better size comparison or the tail, but that guy looks like it may be a muskrat to me...which will sometimes 'bunk' with the beaver when a large enough den is available.

The upstream is a complete lake that rises to within about a foot (25cm) of the top of the dam. There are dead trees with drowned roots all around the area. Here are two shots. The dam is in the background and on the right.

That's really a nice look at what an impressive amount of engineering those things can do...den is likely up one of those side channels if it wasn't immediately apparent around the edges.

Yep, if it was that large there's no doubt about beaver. Cool find.

Really nice pix here. Cool to see how they build their dam and all.

I know a few Civil Engineers that would be proud if they built something like that.