It’s called the Beaver Deceiver, and it has nothing to do with any trick plays that Oregon might run against Oregon State during football season.
Instead, it’s an in-water flow device made of wire and wood that prevents beavers from building dams that block culverts and potentially damage property.
Kitsap County’s newest Beaver Deceiver was installed recently in the Grovers Creek watershed in north Kitsap County after some industrious resident beavers continually blocked a culvert and created a nearly two-acre pond that threatened to wash out trails and a logging road that is heavily used by hikers, bikers and by Olympic Property Group.
Beavers are plentiful in north Kitsap County and can be found in nearly any area that has lakes, streams or wetlands.
This particular dam site is located on Pope Resources’ land near the White Horse Golf Course, just south of the town of Kingston and adjacent to North Kitsap Heritage Park. Beavers have repeatedly plugged the new, six-foot culvert installed in 2011, causing water to wash over the road. The resulting erosion created a safety hazard as well as threatened to destroy the road.
The situation was expensive as well as destructive and dangerous. The cost to replace the original culvert with the larger pipe was $10,500. Additionally, the new culvert had to be unplugged three times at a cost of $500.
OPG contracted with Absolute Nuisance Wildlife to trap and relocate the persistent critters, but to no avail. The state’s Department of Fish & Wildlife has restricted the release of beavers in alternate sites at this time due to high beaver populations in the state. So relocation of the beavers wasn’t an option.
Enter the Beaver Deceiver. After crews removed a 10-foot plug from the culvert, a group of community volunteers led by Evan Stoll quickly stepped in to install the Beaver Deceiver. The trapezoid-shaped fence structure prevents the beavers from building a dam directly in the culvert.
Water continues to flow under the road and beavers can maintain a habitat in the watershed. The installation was approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and will be maintained by volunteers from the North Kitsap Trails Association and the North Kitsap Heritage Park Stewardship Committee.
In theory, the new Beaver Deceiver will enable man and beast to co-exist peacefully in north Kitsap County.
Spring fun abounds in Port Gamble
The two ghost walks scheduled for March booked up early, but if you’re a fan of the paranormal, don’t despair. Interest is already growing for the annual Port Gamble Ghost Conference and Ghost Walk scheduled for October.
Conference registration is now open, which means you can sign up now for classes, panel discussions, tours and investigations. Details, schedules and registration information are on the Port Gamble web site.
If ghosts aren’t your thing, then come see a musical. Spring is a perfect time to see what’s on the board at the historic Port Gamble Theater. Check out Port Gamble Theater Company’s production of “Quilters: The Musical,” April 5-21.
Aren’t into musical theater? Maybe trail running will scratch your itch. Take on the fourth annual Lumberjack Endurance Run and discover the beauty of the Pacific Northwest while competing on the Port Gamble trails over distances ranging from 50 to 100 miles.
Some of Port Gamble’s businesses have moved, making it all the more convenient to browse and shop when you visit Port Gamble. WISH Mercantile has teamed up with Rainy Day Antiques, 32220 North Rainier Ave., house 2. You’ll now be able to pick up your favorite antiques and specialty items in the same location. Tame the Beast Aromas has moved and expanded. Visit and see the new selection in the red house located at 4790 NE State Highway 104, house 20.
— Shana Smith manages the town of Port Gamble for Olympic Property Group. Contact her at SSmith@orminc.com.
