Headline: Bever Population Boom Leaves Dutch Water Boards with Increasing Manure Hours
Subhead: Unie van Waterschappen calls for national approach as beaver damage soars
The beaver population boom in the Netherlands is leaving water boards with a rising headache and more manure hours, the Unie van Waterschappen (UvW) has warned. Last year, the water boards logged a total of over 30,000 hours in beaver-related work, up from around 20,000 hours in 2022, according to UvW analysis published by Omroep Gelderland.
Beavers are infamous for their tree-felling habits to create food and build lodges and dams. However, their burrowing activities can also pose risks when they undermine dikes, roads, and rail tracks. The increasing incidence of beaver damage is costing water boards time and money, with Waterschap Limburg spending nearly 9,000 hours addressing beaver issues last year alone, closely followed by Waterschap Aa en Maas at 8,000 hours.
Replenishing beaver dams, inspecting dikes, and implementing preventive measures are among the time-consuming tasks that water boards face. Dolf Moerkens of the UvW noted that "dikes are being inspected more frequently, with some water boards even doing this weekly."
Once native to the Netherlands, beavers became extinct in the 19th century due to hunting and habitat loss. Following reintroduction in 1988, their population has grown rapidly, thanks to their protected status. Today, an estimated 6,000 beavers call the Netherlands home, bringing both problems and benefits, such as increased biodiversity.
The UvW is calling for a national approach to tackle beaver-related issues. Currently, each province has its own policy, leading to varied responses to the rodent. A unified approach could simplify exemption requests, the UvW suggested.
Moreover, some water boards like Rivierenland operate across multiple provinces, dealing with several different protocols. Wilbert Litjens of the BBB, who sits on Rivierenland’s board, views beavers as a significant challenge, stating, "I think the beaver is a bigger problem than the wolf."
With Rivierenland managing and maintaining over 1,000 kilometers of river dikes and quays, the financial implications of preventive measures are substantial. The UvW is expected to discuss a national policy on beavers in April.
