Each fall the Miramichi Salmon Association increases the
spawning habitat available to adult salmon by removing beaver
dams on tributary streams. Beaver dams can impede the upstream
progress of adult salmon and can prevent them from reaching
headwater spawning areas, especially in years of low flow
conditions. MSA staff canoe or hike into areas with known beaver
dams and remove old dams or notch active beaver dams just prior
to or during the spawning time for Atlantic salmon. Adult salmon
which are held up below the dam can move upstream through the
notch and the beaver later repairs the dam. Beavers can block
off access to spawning areas by building large dams or building
dams in culverts or fish ladders. The effect of beaver dam
blockages can be pronounced during a fall season with little
rainfall and low flow, which do not afford Atlantic salmon
enough water to jump over the dams. Salmon will congregate below
the dams and if they cannot access the additional habitat in
time, they will dig nests on top of e