Bridge Creek Beaver Restoration Project — Oregon

The Problem

Bridge Creek, located in the Crooked River National Grassland, had become incised and disconnected from its floodplain. This channel degradation reduced water storage, lowered groundwater levels, and limited habitat quality for native species, including steelhead.

The Solution

The project team, led by the U.S. Forest Service and Utah State University, implemented a large-scale low-tech restoration effort using Beaver Dam Analogs (BDAs). More than 300 BDAs were installed to mimic natural beaver activity, slow water flow, and encourage the stream to reconnect with its floodplain.

The Results

The installation of BDAs led to measurable increases in groundwater levels and improved stream conditions. The restored hydrology supported better habitat for steelhead and other aquatic species, demonstrating the effectiveness of process-based restoration at scale.

Watch this PBS segment to learn more: https://www.pbs.org/video/beaver-assisted-restoration-ucs3vw/