Managing Beaver Ponds To Attract Waterfowl
Moist Soil Management & Green Tree Reservoirs

Beaver ponds supply a unique and diverse habitat for a variety of wildlife species including waterfowl. Managed properly, beaver ponds can provide many years of the most exciting waterfowl hunting North Carolina has to offer. These areas can also be managed with little expense from your paycheck and the benefiting results can be seen each waterfowl season.

Beaver ponds provide several types of habitat, which are extremely important for waterfowl numbers. These habitats vary depending upon the size, age, and hydrology of the area. Wetland quality is affected by the amount of sediment and organic materials, which are filtered as opposed to free flowing in our waterways. As these sediments are trapped by beaver structures they are able to settle out providing a nutrient base for aquatic plants and invertebrates. Aquatic invertebrates are the protein base for breeding waterfowl and their broods.

Landowners with several ponds will benefit by managing each pond differently. They can be managed for moist soil management or converted into green tree reservoirs. Moist soil management allows water levels to be manipulated to maximize germination of native plants. This is accomplished by drawing water levels down at a controlled rate with optimum time being late June to early July. Earlier draining may expose young waterfowl to higher rates of perdation. Green tree reservoirs are seasonally flooded, bottomland hardwood impoundments. Water should be drained from these areas during late winter to early spring, immediately before trees bud or break winter dormancy. During late fall allow the water to flood the area giving access to acorn production. This will allow for enhanced tree growth and produce a natural attractant for ducks.

To maintain these areas properly water level structures need to be installed. These structures eliminate prolonged standing water which become detrimental to plant diversity. There are several ways to create these structures by using perforated pipe, Clemson drains, and other box drains. For best results break the dam at the existing stream channel. After the flow begins to slow install the drain. Beavers will often rebuild over the drain and stop up the entrance of the pipe. By having smaller ports along the drains they will often allow the water to continue to fall. When it comes time to flood cap the drain or dislodge it. By capping the drain this will allow use for the following year with little work. These structures often need to be maintained to achieve proper results.

The result can be very rewarding by providing a variety of natural vegetation. It will also provide areas, which can be utilized for seeded stands such as Japanese Millet. By providing these areas it will attract waterfowl from season to season. These areas also provide an opportunity for individuals to participate in our Mallard Restoration & Research Program.

Installing Wood Duck boxes or participating in a Mallard release program offers direct positive benefits to utilize the improved areas. Research gathered from hunter field reports show an increase in waterfowl visuals in these areas. This often offers hunters a chance for a mixed bag of fowl throughout the season. If you are a member of the NCWA and would like more information on improving habitat in your area
contact :
NC Waterfowl Association @ 1-866-NC-DUCKS.