Why Beavers Are A Problem In Atlanta

Flooded Property

• Beavers build dams across streams, drainage ditches, or culverts, causing:
   
  • Flooded lawns, fields, basements, and driveways
  • Standing water near roads and bridges
  • Washed-out gravel roads and trails
  • Saturated septic systems and drain fields

2. Damaged Trees and Vegetation

• Beavers chew and fell trees for building materials and food:
   
  • Ornamental landscape trees gnawed or toppled
  • Fruit orchards damaged (apple, pear, cherry trees)
  • Forested areas stripped of valuable hardwoods like oak, poplar, willow, and maple
  • Shoreline and riverbank vegetation destroyed

3. Blocked Drainage Systems

• Beaver dams can clog manmade structures:
   
  • Culverts fully blocked, causing upstream flooding
  • Stormwater drains overwhelmed by debris and mud
  • Retention ponds rising and breaching containment areas
  • Golf course drainage systems backed up

4. Erosion and Infrastructure Damage

• Water redirected by dams leads to:
   
  • Bank erosion around ponds, lakes, and streams
  • Undermined foundations of docks, bridges, and roadways
  • Washed-out walking paths, ATV trails, and access roads
  • Collapse of embankments and levees

5. Loss of Usable Land

• Beaver activity turns dry land into wet, boggy areas:
   
  • Farmland and pasture land submerged under water
  • Golf courses, parks, and recreational fields flooded
  • Forest trails impassable due to water or deep mud

6. Wildlife Habitat Disruption

• Although beavers create wetlands, they can:
   
  • Overwhelm fish spawning areas with sediment and stagnant water
  • Drown native plants, reducing food sources for other animals
  • Alter wetland ecosystems in ways that are harmful to local wildlife