Is It Legal To Destroy Beaver Dams In Michigan?

Beavers can sometimes dam up an area, causing problems for humans. Is it legal in Michigan to tear down a beaver dam?

In Michigan, animals have rights, and even swamps and wetlands do too. Do humans need permission to destroy something built by an animal like a beaver when it builds something that becomes a nuisance?

The Purpose of a Beaver Dam

Beavers have a right to live naturally and build their den and dam to protect and feed their family. Sometimes that can become a problem with humans.

A couple of years ago, I had beavers taking down big trees on my property. It wasn't a problem until they started taking down good trees. A licensed trapper friend helped by legally trapping two beavers during the season.

The reason beavers build dams is to create a protected, deep-water pond that is safe for their dens and provide access to food and shelter. Beaver dams perform several beneficial functions in nature, including improving water quality by filtering out pollutants, reducing soil erosion, and serving as natural firebreaks.

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The resulting wetlands provided by a beaver dam support high levels of biodiversity, creating habitats for fish, amphibians, and other wildlife, and also help ensure water availability during dry periods.

What Michigan Law Says About Breaking Beaver Dams

As wildlife and people move closer together, sometimes the wildlife can appear to be a nuisance. In some cases, you can work with a nuisance animal control company to help you with your problem.

Is it legal or illegal to tear down a beaver dam in Michigan?

According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, you can get a permit to destroy a beaver dam. But if tools are required, you must contact the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Environmental Assistance Center at 1-800-662-9278.

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If you want to remove the beaver, you can trap it as long as you have a valid base and fur harvester license, and they are in season, or contact a nuisance animal control company to help you out.

👇BELOW: Beaver Lake, Michigan's Clearest Lake👇