Mike Settell, a hydrologic consultant and owner of Sustainable Resource Solutions, marches out through 2 to 3 feet of snow towards the West Fork of Rapid Creek east of Pocatello. Though he is only 10 to 20 feet off Hoot Owl Road, the only sign of a creek’s presence is the faint sound of rushing water through the canyon further downstream.

About 10 feet onto the creek, he pulls some frozen brush and snow away to reveal that he is standing on top of a large beaver dam. Further examination of the area shows a large pipe protruding off the top of the dam, with a steady flow of clear, cold water spilling out downstream. He then points towards the top of a wire cage bulging above the snow that is covering the pond, like the top of a sunken ship poking through the Arctic ice shelf.

“The Pond Leveler allows the water from the pond to easily flow past the dam and lower the pond level while maintaining some water in the pond,” he explains. “The cage prevents beavers from plugging the pipe and blocking the water flow completely. If a beaver has a stick in his mouth, he’s not going to pass through the cage and plug the pipe.”

According to Settell, flooding roads is among the main reasons beavers are trapped or killed in a stream.

“What myself and others are demonstrating are ways to keep the benefits of beavers without having to kill the beavers,” says Settell, pointing to the healthy willow stand. “We’ve also found that these devices are very cost-effective to reduce localized flooding.”

The Pond Leveller was designed by East Coast-based Beaver Solutions LLC. It was installed with support from the local landowner, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Portneuf Soil and Water Conservation District and Bannock County.

The simple flood mitigation apparatus is an ecologically friendly way to reduce flood damage, while protecting the riparian habitat of Rapid Creek. The riparian habitat is the stream and the wet zone around the stream that coincides with the flood plain.

“The pond itself works as a natural shock absorber for rushing water during peak or flash flooding,” he said. “The concept is similar to the barrels of water you see in front of freeway abutments. When a car crashes into the barrels, each successive barrel will cushion an impact and reduce damage. The devices we are installing at the dams reduce the chronic low-flow flooding yet keep the large flood cushion ponds.”

The location at Rapid Creek was strategically chosen because the dam had been blocking water from flowing downstream, but the landowner wanted the habitat that was created by the local beaver population, as indicated by the “No Trapping” signs along the stream.

During the dry summer, the water in the pond would commonly rise, causing flooding on Hoot Owl Road. Bannock County Road and Bridge crews, including labor and heavy equipment, often had to be dispatched to the scene to clear up the mess, costing taxpayers hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year. Nationwide, many road crews have reported reduced costs after these flow devices are installed.

Settell says, since the Flexible Pond Leveler was installed last summer, the road flooding has ceased.

“The solution in the old days would be just to destroy the dams and get rid of the entire colony of beavers,” he says, pointing towards the expanse of Rapid Creek. “FEMA has already designated this area a flood zone, so beaver or no beaver, an area like this will flood. It’s just a question of when. What we are trying to do is to retain the beaver pond’s ability to create enhanced habitat and reduce the effects of peak flooding.”

The structure off of Hoot Owl Road is the first of 10 flood control devices that Settell is hoping to install at various locations around southeastern Idaho this upcoming spring and summer. He is looking for areas near established beaver dams that are prone to flash flooding. If you know of similar circumstances, please contact Settell at 232-0825.