Six dead beavers prompt wildlife deterrent installation at Site C

The following article and accompanying images deal with heavy subject matter, including death of animals, and could be upsetting to some readers.

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Six beaver deaths at Site C have prompted BC Hydro to install lighting and consider “animal deterrent” spikes at the dam.

On April 28th, Energeticcity.ca received information that beavers were passing away in the spillway of BC Hydro’s Site C hydroelectric dam near Fort St. John. 

According to an individual who requested to remain anonymous, between April 24th and April 28th, four beavers died in a spillway by falling over the edge. 

They said the beavers had not fallen in all at once, but the bodies had not been removed as of April 28th.

Requests to reposition staff to ensure more animals did not fall in were declined, the source claimed. 

According to a statement by BC Hydro on May 6th, beavers were indeed falling into the auxiliary spillway at Site C.

A spillway on a dam is used as a controlled outlet for excess water from turbines or the reservoir, and is typically only used during high flow or flood situations.

Beavers are falling into Site C’s  secondary spillway, which is designed to be used only in emergency situations. 

Between April 25th and May 2nd, six beavers were found deceased in the area and four beavers were found alive, rescued and released downstream of the dam, according to Greg Alexis, manager of public affairs and community relations for Site C. 

“We are taking this situation very seriously and have acted with urgency to stop this from happening,” Alexis said. 

“Lighting has been installed in the spillway area to provide greater visibility for the animals.”

Alexis confirmed since the lighting was installed on May 3rd and May 4th, there have been no further beaver mortalities. 

The utility is also working on installing a “permanent animal deterrent” along the ledge of the spillway; Alexis described the solution as similar to bird-nesting spike deterrents and said it is intended to “help stop beavers from climbing on to the ledge of the spillway.” 

“We anticipate it will take a couple of weeks to install this particular deterrent as it needs to be designed and then installed using a crane or floating work platform as this area is adjacent to deep and moving water,” Alexis said. 

Energeticcity.ca has reached out to the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship to discuss beaver behaviour, but did not receive a reply prior to publication.

Readers be aware that unedited images of the deceased beavers are included here: