Beaver-engineered dam in the Czech Republic

Summary

A Eurasian beaver with her kit along the River Tay In early 2025, beaver activity in the Brdy Protected Landscape Area, Czech Republic, contributed to the restoration of a wetland ecosystem. A family of beavers constructed a series of dams that accomplished environmental goals set by the Czech government, which had delayed its proposed project since 2018 for bureaucratic and financial reasons. The beaver-built dams saved the Czech government approximately US$1.2 million, providing ecological benefits including improved water quality, enhanced biodiversity, and better water retention.[1][2][3] The Brdy region, located south of Prague, had been affected by artificial drainage systems established by the Brdy Military District [cs], leading to environmental degradation. Decades earlier, soldiers had excavated bypass gullies to drain water from the land, transforming the wetland into a dry terrain.[1][2] In 2016, the Brdy Protected Landscape Area [cs] was established in place of the abolished military district and some surrounding areas.[4][5] Recognizing the ecological damage, the administration of the Brdy protected landscape area drafted plans in 2018 to construct small dams to restore the wetland and protect the Klabava river from sedimentation and acidic water pollution originating from nearby ponds.[6] However, bureaucratic obstacles, unresolved land ownership disputes, and financial constraints led to significant delays in implementing the project.[7] Beaver construction[edit] In early 2025, a family of Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber) naturally built a series of dams in the same locations where the human-planned infrastructure was intended.[8] The beavers used wood, mud, and stones to create structures that slowed water drainage and restored the wetland environment. This spontaneous restoration effort resulted in a thriving ecosystem, benefiting local wildlife such as rare stone crayfish, frogs, aquatic insects, and bird species dependent on wetland habitats.[6] T...