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As the drought continues, the typical flood cycle of the Gila River has been postponed, allowing beaver to build higher and higher dams and more of them.
This affects travel along the river trails - especially for equine riders.
Benefits:
It is easy to complain about the beavers being "in the way" of back-country wilderness travel.
However, beavers provide an important protection against wildfires,
And floods: "Some studies have shown that beaver dams reduce the severity of flooding by forcing the water to slow and spread out, reducing momentum and damage downstream."
Cut banks are a major trail issue after floods in the Gila.
Learn more about beavers' effect on flooding.
Options for trail users?
- Expect river trails to be more of a route than a trail. But this was already true due to past flooding damage and quick vegetation regrowth
- Use the river as a place to camp next to the water but then travel along the mesa trails. Many of the switchbacks leading to and from the river have been maintained in the last few years, making this type of travel possible.
- If you still want to travel along the River Trails, then be prepared for very deep crossings.
- Additional trails are needed to create ways around the river trails to access other part of the Forest. Here is an example of a new trail route that could be beneficial in avoiding beaver dams. (note this route is not yet approved for construction)
Explore
Check out the beaver dams along the Middle and West Fork.
One along the West Fork is just upstream of the first and second crossing and is over 5 ft tall.
The beavers are inspiring engineer masters.
And the ponds behind the dams can be wonderful swimming holes in the heat of the summer.
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