Simulating beaver dams to protect from flooding

It's easy to predict that at some point in the not-so-far future, the UK will experience similar floods to other countries in Europe. Devastating footage has shown the danger of flood water and the strength of the flow as cars, houses, animals and people are swept away.

While the landscape may be different, we must not be complacent and should consider how flood-proof our country is.

The UK is green

The UK is green for a reason, it rains, and it often rains a lot.

Although we cannot predict future weather patterns, we know that weather can be unpredictable, inconsistent and very sudden. Floods could also be deadly. Consider the dry parched conditions from 2022. Had we had experienced flash floods, it could easily have led to flooded areas as water does not seep into the soil but remains on the surface.

Nature usually comes up with its own solutions and it’s worth stating that researchers from Cardiff University and the University of Worchester have spent time assessing the river barriers made by beavers.

By simulating these barriers, obstacles of trees, logs, and leaves could be made and placed in known areas of risk so that the flow of water slows.

These man-made barriers works best in a narrow channel and when the river bank is steep. This may provide a solution for the Government and for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) but may not be suitable for times of severe storms and flooding.

Study results were published in the journal of Hydrology but as we already have effective dams made by nature, isn’t it better to just encourage more of this?

Beavers

Beavers build dams naturally. They create ponds of still and deep water which provides important habitat for small mammals, insects, and fish. In fact, studies have shown that these pools have almost 40 per cent more fish than when a dam is not present.

Beaver dams create a water wetland improving its quality while reducing silt.

Now that beavers are being introduced across the country, it makes sense to let them do what they do best…enhancing the landscape, building dams and reducing flood risk. Nature benefits and so do we.

Yes, we can learn from nature. But I for one, would much prefer to see these beautiful animals living their best lives in rivers across the country and reducing the risk of flood. We simply need to live alongside nature and to protect it as it could well protect us in these uncertain times.

Annette J Beveridge

Journalist, author, conservationist and publisher