36 THE BEAVER 
the right bank created an eddy and backwater above the dam 
and threw the swifter current over to the other side into the 
shallow water. Doubtless this was the case, but from what 
I have since seen of beaver work I am in doubt as to whether 
or not that downstream curve was made intentionally. 
It may be as well to mention here three dams on the same 
stream some little distance above those just described. The 
upper one extended about halfway across the river from the 
left bank; twenty-five feet below, and on the opposite side, 
SCALE. 
er eee ee 

Fiqg. 11. Mar or Dams DEFLECTING CURRENT BACK TO THE SIDE OF THE 
STREAM WHERE THE WATER WAS DEEPEST 
was another dam also extending halfway across; sixty-five 
feet below that and on the same side was a third dam, like- 
wise going halfway over. Twenty-five feet below was a 
small dam about eight feet long. The upper dam backed 
up considerable water, but, as the stream had too much fall, 
not to any great depth. The other two dams, while not 
increasing the depth of the water so very much, did make 
quiet pools, perhaps more to the beavers’ liking than the 
swift water (Fig. 12). 
