Nature's hydrologist

      I participated in an ecological walk in Utah that showed the work of nature's hydrologist----the beaver.  We in the East probably don't think much about water supply issues but in the West water is what makes many communities sustainable.  Too often these dry climates are starved for water with sudden downpours that quickly dissipate into ground water that may not be easy for plants and animals to access.

       In our area we fight the damage of beavers in our Columbia lakes. 

    This differs in the West where the beaver is a partner in preventing the water from dissipating and providing a habitat for many animals. 

        Interestingly I had just watched a show on beavers on PBS Nature program.