Beavers in Kitsap County

Beavers are called ‘ecosystem engineers’ because they, like humans, have a talent for shaping their environment to suit their needs. Beavers dam creeks to create ponds that allow them to forage on plants in the surrounding woodlands without leaving the safety of the water. They need to fell trees not just to build dams and lodges (their homes), but to access their most reliable food sources: twigs, leaves, bark, and the green layer just under the bark (cambium) of deciduous trees like alder, willow, maple and black cherry.

Stillwaters and other residents of Barber Cut Off Rd in Kingston have been keeping tabs on beavers in lower Carpenter Creek for a long time, as beaver activity can  contribute to road flooding.  To read more about recent beaver activity and new solutions that the County and non-profit Beavers Northwest have implemented click here for updates from November 2021 and here for updates from August 2022.

Coexisting with Beavers

Beavers can be challenging for their human neighbors. However, disturbing beaver dams without a permit is illegal because beaver-created wetlands and late summer stream flows are vital for salmon in our region. To learn how to solve beaver issues affecting your property, please contact your regional WDFW office (https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/regional-offices) or Beavers Northwest (http://www.beaversnw.org/).

Click the button below to for more information, including a beaver management decision flow chart so you can explore your options if you are finding it challenging to live with beavers.

Beaver Management Decision Flow Chart