Satellite images showing a progressively dried up river at Plumas National Forest since 2017 (left panel) until beaver dam analogs were built in 2022 with subsequent revitalization of the river and wetlands a year later in 2023 (right panel). Yellow pins represent the location of two dams built after the second satellite photo was taken in 2022 and water is represented by the wave sign.
(Google earth pro V 7.3.6.10201. Imagery July 2, 2017 (CNES/Airbus) , July 8, 2022 (Maxar Technology), August 12, 2023 (Airbus). Quincy, CA. 40°09’30.77″ N, 121°17’49.31″ W, eye alt 4850 ft. http://www.earth.google.com [Accessed May 3, 2025]).
Strategically placed beaver dam analogs (BDA, yellow pins) can encourage establishment of distributaries which splits the river’s flow into multiple channels. Benefits of river distributaries include improved water and sediment distribution, decreased wetland erosion, and enhanced habitat diversity and biodiversity. Yellow pins represent the location of three dams built after the initial photo was taken.
(Google earth pro V 7.3.6.10201. Imagery July 8, 2022 (Maxar Technology), August 12, 2023 (Airbus). Plumas National Forest, Quincy, CA. 40°09’22.24″ N, 121°17’12.75″ W, eye alt 5183 ft. http://www.earth.google.com [Accessed May 4, 2025]).
Dried up streams can not contain wildfires as shown on the left where the 2021 Dixie Fire raged across Yellow Creek scorching trees on both sides. Merely 1 year after beaver dam analog construction (right), increased river water depth and width with renewed vegetation on both sides of the stream can be appreciated. With river expansion, groundwater storage and watershed areas also increase, promoting wildfire resilience. Patchy valleys created by beaver dams slow the spread of wildfire by serving as fire breaks or “speed bumps”, helping firefighters with containment.
(Google earth pro V 7.3.6.10201. Imagery July 8, 2022 (Maxar Technology), August 12, 2023 (Airbus). Plumas National Forest, Quincy, CA. 40°09’54.78″ N, 121°18’28.08″ W, eye alt 5172 ft. http://www.earth.google.com [Accessed May 4, 2025]).
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