Description:
In 2023, CWSP surveyed 371 sites by drone on the western benchlands of the Columbia Valley and with in-person site assessments determined that nine were suitable for potential restoration using Beaver Dam Analogues (BDAs). In 2024, we continued this work and further assessed 30 wetlands in-person and determined two more are suitable for potential restoration using BDAs. In October 2024 we built four BDAs at two sites, S-Land and Beaver Channels. We created wetlands or restored wetlands in the dry upland benchland of Columbia Valley. At the S-Land Site our efforts produced 12,793 m2 of flooded area, 3399 m3 of stored water, and 1.17 ha freshwater atlas wetland polygon. At the Beaver Chanels site our efforts produced 39,700 m2 of flooded area, 8969 m3 of stored water, 12.49 ha freshwater atlas wetland polygon. We anticipate that the restorations completed at S-Land and Beaver Channels stored 12,368 m3 of water flooded over 52,493 m2 of land within these wetlands.

Keywords: wetlands; beaver; hydrology; climate change; restoration

Authors:

Organization: Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partners

Category: Hydrologically Vulnerable Wetlands

Focal Area: Columbia Wetlands

Resource Type: Report

Year: 2025