Beavers are indeed present in Tennessee, having made a significant comeback in the state’s waterways. They are common in aquatic habitats across Tennessee and are not currently a conservation concern. Their populations have rebounded over the past few decades due to conservation efforts and reduced trapping. This means beavers can now be found in almost any suitable body of water.
Where Beavers Live in Tennessee
Beavers are highly aquatic mammals inhabiting various freshwater environments throughout Tennessee. They typically reside in streams, rivers, wetlands, ponds, and small lakes. These adaptable rodents can also establish themselves in human-altered aquatic settings, including farm ponds, drainage ditches, and canals.
Beavers require a year-round water source. While they can be found across the entire state where suitable conditions exist, their presence is particularly noticeable in areas with sufficient water depth and access to building materials. They may even occupy roadside ditches or areas below natural springs, demonstrating their adaptability to diverse aquatic landscapes.
Beaver Characteristics and Behavior
North American beavers are the largest rodents in North America, weighing between 35 and 65 pounds and measuring 3 to 4 feet long, including their tail. They possess a stout body, dark brown fur, and a distinctive, flat, scaly tail used as a rudder for swimming and a prop on land. Their large, orange incisors grow continuously and are self-sharpening, allowing them to fell trees.
Beavers are known for their engineering skills, particularly their construction of dams and lodges. They build dams from tree limbs, branches, mud, and stones to slow water flow and create deeper ponds. These ponds provide protection from predators and ensure underwater access to their lodges. Lodges are built into the dam or in shallow water, offering a secure living space with underwater entrances. Their diet consists of the inner bark (cambium) of trees like willow, maple, and poplar, and various aquatic plants.
Their Impact on the Tennessee Landscape
Beavers are considered a keystone species because their activities significantly alter their environment, creating new habitats that benefit other species. By building dams, they create wetlands that serve as homes for amphibians, fish, birds, and insects, while also improving water quality. These wetlands help filter sediment and pollutants, mitigate floods and droughts, and recharge groundwater supplies.
Despite these ecological benefits, beaver activities can present challenges for human interests in Tennessee. Their dams can cause localized flooding, impacting roads, agricultural lands, and residential properties. Beavers gnaw down trees for food and construction, resulting in tree damage or loss of landscaping. This can lead to issues for landowners, including potential crop damage from waterlogging.
Living Alongside Beavers in Tennessee
Coexisting with beavers in Tennessee often involves managing their activities to minimize conflicts. Protecting individual trees from gnawing can be achieved by wrapping their bases with hardware cloth or fencing. For managing water levels, flow devices, such as “beaver deceivers,” can be installed to allow water to pass through dams without complete removal, preventing flooding.
If beaver activity causes problems, residents can contact the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) for advice. A permit may be required for dam removal, as the TWRA oversees activities affecting wetlands and waterways. Professional wildlife control services in Tennessee are available to assist with ethical beaver management, including trapping and dam removal, while ensuring compliance with state regulations.