Beaver Dam Analog Projects along the North Platte River

completed and ongoing maintenance

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department built and maintained 130 beaver dam analogs (BDAs) along the North Platte River in the Casper Region. These projects involve constructing beaver dam replicas to slow streams, reduce erosion, and improve water and wildlife habitat health. The projects include weaving willows and woody material between wooden posts at predetermined river locations, often where beavers are naturally active. Maintenance is performed by contractors, volunteers, or WGFD employees, with some BDAs becoming self-sufficient as beavers inhabit and maintain them. Hundreds of new BDA projects are planned across Wyoming in various stages of planning.