Vermilion’s resident beaver causing drainage issues

A large beaver has been making easy work damning a ravine in Vermilion and thus stopping the flow of water from a storm sewer drain.

Mayor, Caroline McAuley, said they are looking to relocate the beaver because the large culvert provides drainage to large portions of the community including the trailer court, Pilkieville, and as far south as the Pomeroy.

Another leads to the area encompassing the fire training school and arena.

“The groundwater will freeze in the culverts and jam up infrastructure across town,” said Kevin Lucas, Director of Community Services.

“With the beaver being within just a few feet of main street, the town is looking at diverting water to discourage the beaver’s activity in its current location.”

Situated deep beneath the surface and as long as one kilometre, everything in them will stay frozen longer in the spring. If full, it could potentially cause breakage or flooding, which the town is trying to avoid.

Beavers do not like the sound of running water, so the rascally rodent has proceeded to build three damns across the ravine on town property. Lucas has been digging them down, allowing the water to flow and drain to less than 10 inches so the beaver cannot inhabit it.

“I’m sure it’s happened but I’ve never seen a beaver go after a fence before, especially a painted one,” said Lucas.

“This beaver does good work but it is frustrating.”

The town first had chicken wire around a large tree at the top of the ravine, but after persistent chewing had to switch to chain link fence.

“It’s such a pretty little valley in the middle of town. People don’t realize if you had to do an insurance claim on all of the trees through here it would be astronomical,” said Lucas.

“One tree alone can be worth $12,000 and could take decades to replenish.”