Local organizations in Corvallis have installed a notch exclusion fence on the Bald Hill Multi-Use Path to address frequent flooding caused by beaver dams, according to an April 15 announcement. The collaborative effort involves nonprofits such as Greenbelt Land Trust and Marys River Watershed Council, along with government agencies including the City of Corvallis and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The initiative aims to keep the popular trail accessible for people of all abilities while allowing beavers to remain in their natural habitat. This solution is significant because it balances human recreation needs with environmental conservation, offering a model for coexisting with native wildlife.
Kendra Callahan of Greenbelt Land Trust said, “This path is probably one of the most popular ones, I would say, in the Corvallis area, for all sorts of people to come out and recreate.” Beavers had returned to Mulkey Creek near the path, leading to repeated closures due to flooding. To address this issue without removing the animals or their dam entirely, partners implemented a method called a notch exclusion fence—reportedly its first use in Oregon.
“Essentially what you do is you make a notch in the beaver dam to drain some of the water, keep the path dry, but leave enough water in the pond,” said Matt Benotsch from Greenbelt Land Trust. The team then built a box around this notch using chain link fencing sized specifically: “Big enough to allow fish passage, small enough that a beaver can’t get in there to repair the notch,” Benotsch said.
Allowing controlled drainage helps maintain access while supporting local ecosystems. Callahan noted that before settlement and trapping reduced their numbers dramatically, “every mile you would have found a beaver… They’re a keystone species for keeping healthy river systems intact.” Nina from Marys River Watershed Council explained that wetlands created by beavers raise groundwater levels and help cool water temperatures downstream: “[Water entering the soil] creates things like fire breaks… And so when it reenters the flow downstream somewhere, it’s cooler than it would be if it was just sitting in the sun.”
Jenna Leichner from Corvallis Parks and Recreation highlighted how these efforts benefit accessibility: “People with limited mobility… can now come up close and see the beavers for themselves.” Krista Anderson and Jen Felin were among those visiting with children who learned about beavers’ unique features during an educational session led by Callahan.
Reflecting on broader implications for community engagement with nature at accessible sites like Bald Hill Natural Area, Dominici said: “We can show people right here, four feet away, this is what beavers are doing on any property.” The project demonstrates how humans can adapt infrastructure while preserving essential wildlife habitats.
