Reintroducing Beavers to Bandelier

Bandelier National Monument's Natural Resources Program Manager, Sarah Milligan, releases a beaver in Frijoles Canyon. NPS

The Las Conchas Fire of 2011 caused devastating, landscape-scale damage to the Jemez Mountains of north-central New Mexico, burning a total of 156,000 acres (243 square miles) across a broad elevation range (6,500 to 10,000 feet). Across large swaths of the burn area, nearly all trees were killed by the fire's intensity. The resulting impacts to vegetation succession and watershed function were moderate to severe.

In Frijoles Canyon at Bandelier National Monument, tree loss, flash flooding, and sediment deposition dramatically altered aquatic and riparian ecosystems. Mature trees along Frijoles Creek were uprooted and carried downstream by thick, silty floodwaters. Large logjams piled up throughout the canyon, and sediment filled the creekbed. Ecosystem restoration became crucial.

In addition to reforesting the riparian corridor, the National Park Service partnered with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) to reintroduce beavers to Frijoles Canyon.

Beavers are ecosystem engineers. They raise the water table, modulate stream flow, improve water quality, and increase biodiversity. The dams they build fill with water to create ponds, and those ponds become habitat for birds, fish, and native plants. These services would prove to be invaluable in the post-fire recovery of Frijoles Canyon.

Since 2019, a total of 27 beavers have been reintroduced. These animals were trapped on private lands and transported by NMDGF to Bandelier National Monument. Park staff, interns, and volunteers then hiked the caged beavers to strategic release locations within the canyon.

Between beaver reintroductions and reforestation efforts, ecosystem function in fire- and flood-affected areas of Frijoles Canyon has improved. The beaver ponds have provided prime locations for reintroducing Rio Grande chub, Rio Grande sucker, and Rio Grande cutthroat trout. The ponds have also created habitat for the endangered New Mexico meadow jumping mouse and native leopard frogs. Replanted Douglas fir and ponderosa pine trees have started to take hold and offer soil stabilization and erosion control. Park scientists and research partners continue to monitor the post-fire recovery of this landscape.

Beaver Facts

Beavers have orange teeth from the amount of iron they eat. This keeps their teeth strong so they can cut down trees. They also have transparent eyelids to protect their eyes underwater and allow them to navigate. Beavers are nocturnal, so it's unlikely that you'll spot one during your visit to Bandelier, although you'll probably see some of their handiwork in the canyon!

A beaver in Frijoles Creek. NPS

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