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Harmony with All the Laws of Nature: MIU Conservation Idea
By Christian Sorflaten, Alumnus
Iowa Beavercorp Representative
MIU Rec Technician
What is the benefit of placing MIU’s Crow Creek into conservation?
Placing flood-prone lowlands into permanent conservation is a great way to
accept over $500,000 in compensation, improve beauty, function, low
maintenance, economical, sustainable, ecological, and educational.
Compensation
- From B Street to the solar array is the MIU campus Crow Creek floodplain. This area is calculated to be about 50 acres. At an estimated market rate of $10,000 an acre, this conservation agreement is expected to garner over $500,000 for MIU.
- Even more funding is available if, for example, the MIU Sustainability Department is interested in performing and maintaining the restoration.
- Structures and farming will be limited, but this land is not used anyway, because it's a floodplain.
A Review of Two Novel Water-Tight Beaver Dam Analogs (WTBDA) to Restore Eroded Seasonal Creeks in Drain Tile Zones, to Permanent Beaver Wetlands.
Author
Christian Sorflaten, Beaver Wetland Professional, Bachelor in Science
6/15/2022
Abstract
This study reviews the design and impact of two novel water-tight beaver
dam analogs (BDAs) developed in Iowa for settings where seasonal rains
wash out beaver dams and conventional beaver dam analogs. This
concept combines traditional BDA technology, mimicking natural
structures that last and earthen dam science. Deep bank incision and
increased drainage have created vast ecosystems where beaver dams and
riparian habitat are impossible, because they get washed out. This study
intends to remedy this situation and attract beaver wetland ecosystems to
historic coordinates.
Hypothesis
If a water-tight beaver dam analog were constructed, it could hold enough
water year round, that a beaver colony could take over maintenance of the
structure resulting in a permanent and thriving wetland ecology.
