170 Roosevelt Wild Life Bulletin 



Beaver flows undoubtedly have a value as fire-breaks and as such 

 they may on occasion be of assistance in saving from destruction 

 many times the amount of timber that has been damaged or killed 

 by them. As reservoirs and as stabilizers of stream-flow during 

 floods they seem worthy of full consideration, considering the 

 millions of dollars which New York State has spent on canals, and 

 recalling her present extensive program for developing water power. 

 The relation of the beaver to trout or other fish is not definitely 

 known. Opinions expressed are conflicting and the experiences of 

 different people interested in the subject are often diametrically 

 opposed. It seems probable that, depending upon conditions in a 

 stream, beaver dams at times may be detrimental to trout, at other 

 times, beneficial. There may be a certain point up to which dams 

 on a given stream are beneficial to trout but beyond it, harmful. It 

 is a problem deserving thorough scientific study. 



Other topics discussed are the relation of the beaver to tourists 

 and summer visitors, camp or inn owners, scenic beauty, and deer ; 

 the recreational and biological interest in beaver ; and finally the com- 

 mercial value of the animals is briefly considered, and an attempt 

 has been made roughly to estimate their numbers. 



Beavers constitute a natural resource from which the State or the 

 people of the State should derive a permanent annual income. While 

 the animals may become obnoxious in certain localities, it would 

 seem perfectly feasible to provide specifically for trapping in such 

 places, as the necessity might arise. A number of watercourses along 

 which no damage of importance is likely to result, such for instance 

 as the Beaver River Flow, might be set aside as permanently closed 

 territory. This would safeguard the species against possible exter- 

 mination and would provide propagation centers for surrounding 

 territory. The Adirondacks are in urgent need of just such wild life 

 sanctuaries. In cut-over or burned-over districts where beaver flows 

 would appear to be desirable as fire-breaks, restrictions might be 

 placed upon trapping. On many trout streams beaver dams for a 

 season or two might be of distinct benefit, and periodic trapping in 

 such cases would prevent the development of injurious conditions. 

 Lakes or ponds, or their outlet streams, so situated that preservation 

 of their wooded shores is particularly desirable might be designated 

 as territory permanently open for taking beaver. The mapping out 

 of streams and other waters where beaver might or might not be 

 taken would seem to offer no very <?reat difficulties. The District 



