Pond Levelers Protect Community Infrastructure and Native Wildlife Along the Rio Fernando

The Rio Fernando is the lifeblood of the Taos Community, providing a clean drinking water supply, water for acequias and irrigation, recreational opportunities for Taos residents and visitors, and habitats for wildlife, including beavers.

Beavers play an integral role in preserving and restoring wetland areas, with their dams serving as habitats for various native species and increasing the area’s resilience against wildfire and floods. However, when a colony of beavers established themselves on the Rio Fernando along Highway 64, their dams increased the risk of flooding for the communities in this area. So a policy and project specialist from Amigos Bravos reached out to LOR with an idea: install pond levelers (small pipes that regulate the height of the ponds beavers create with their dams), which will ensure human infrastructure is safe from flooding and allow excess water to continue flowing downstream while protecting the habitat the beavers need to live safely.

LOR’s funding will cover the cost of materials and professional project oversight services, as well as food and refreshments for the volunteers who will support the installation of the pond levelers.