Gettysburg beavers?

[Kathy the history sleuth]

Ya know, to be absolutely true to history, if those beavers had shown up to dam Plum Run in the summer of 1863, they would have been shot on sight by the soldiers. Either just for fun of for food.
This actually brings up a another question, perhaps more suitable for a different thread. Are their any historical accounts of battles taking place in, around, or through beaver ponds? How about encampment near beaver ponds? Do we have records of how soldier might have interacted with beavers? Do beavers even live where most of the battles took place in the South, or would soldier interaction with beavers been limited to military action in the North?

I think there is no question they would have been shot. Rations were often poor. 19th Century society was based on hunting and firearms for many purposes. Everyone know how to use one and how to prepare and cook game. I can't answer the second question. But National Parks are built around ecology and history. Wildlife is managed according to policy and local ordinance.
Woodchucks are a nuisance around here. They are allowed to be shot, or relocated.
In this case, I agree with the rangers. For the time being they are not doing any real harm or interfering with people's viewing of the terrain and monuments.

 

[USS ALASKA]

Franklin County Free Press
"The Beavers at Gettysburg National Park" on Thursday, March 13 at 7 p.m.
Staff Report
February 26, 2025
Local News

Buttonwood Nature Center's spring speaker series, Feathers, Fur & Fins: Wildlife and Water Habitats continues on Thursday, March 13 with "The Beavers at Gettysburg National Park." Presented by Chris Davis, park biologist at Gettysburg National Park, the program is at 7 p.m. in the social room at Church of the Apostles in Waynesboro. Admission is free. "Beyond its historical significance, the park also showcases a uniquely diverse landscape, blending natural ecosystems and agricultural features that form a vital part of its historic character." A noteworthy recent ecological development at the park is the establishment of a beaver complex in Plum Run at the base of Little Round Top—one of the park's most visited and historically significant landmarks. In 2021, Davis became the park ecologist at Gettysburg, transitioning to park biologist in 2023. With expertise in invasive plant ecology, native vegetation restoration, and ecosystem monitoring, Davis focuses on strategies that enhance biodiversity and ecosystem health while preserving the historic landscape of the Gettysburg battlefield. For more information, visit buttonwoodnaturecenter.org, call 717-762-0373 or email to [email protected].

Full article here - https://fcfreepresspa.com/the-beavers-at-gettysburg-national-park-on-thursday-march-13-at-7-p-m/

Cheers,
USS ALASKA

 

[DC1221]

I visited Gettysburg this past weekend, and dam is creating a small lake. It was disappointing for me because it made it completely impossible to retrace my ancestor's footsteps (98th PA) pushing Confederates back into and beyond Rose Woods

 

[archieclement]

Since I saw someone fly fishing the Beaver Pond during the summer, I'm assuming since it's winter now, someone may try to go Ice Fishing. Do you need permits for Ice Fishing in Adams County? Also, just so we can all assume this too: There should be a sign there that says: No Ice Skating!!!!

Though I'm curious why removing fish would be more acceptable then removing beavers

 

[infomanpa]

I visited Gettysburg this past weekend, and dam is creating a small lake. It was disappointing for me because it made it completely impossible to retrace my ancestor's footsteps (98th PA) pushing Confederates back into and beyond Rose Woods

View attachment 548308 View attachment 548309

No one has ever adequately explained to me why they didn't simply "nip this in the bud," before this became a new ecosystem.

 

[Tom Elmore]

A beaver builds a temporary dam. Let's see, over time humans have permanently altered the battlefield with numerous roads and bridges, erected a trolley line that forever changed the topography in places like Rose woods, driven tanks across the Bliss barn bank, shaved off part of a railroad cut, constructed a steel tower (now dismantled) that obstructed the view all around, built a few motels on historic ground (with at least three subsequently removed in my lifetime), and so on. With all things considered, I'm taking the side of the beaver.

 

[Tom McGrath]

I think we need to call this guy...

 

[MWood1841]

as I commented earlier when the thread began, this makes zero sense and unfortunately the environmental impact is only going to worsen. So waiting to resolve the issue by conservation and wildlife dept means is going to be more difficult as time goes on. But the govt always seems to wait until a situation gets to the point of an emergency until they like to 'do something' and spend way more money than if they had mitigated earlier on.
Although now you can add salt to this issue with all the budget and appropriation cuts.

 

[MWood1841]

I'm taking the side of the beaver.

I can appreciate your liking towards the beaver. However I've seen large parcels of land require heavy excavation equipment, erosion/drainage plans and weeks of equipment work to fix and bring back to "normal" properties impacted by beavers. They're impressive creatures for how they labor and build habitats they migrate to. But extremely damaging as well. Def not good for an NPS managed historical site.

 

[DC1221]

A beaver builds a temporary dam. Let's see, over time humans have permanently altered the battlefield with numerous roads and bridges, erected a trolley line that forever changed the topography in places like Rose woods, driven tanks across the Bliss barn bank, shaved off part of a railroad cut, constructed a steel tower (now dismantled) that obstructed the view all around, built a few motels on historic ground (with at least three subsequently removed in my lifetime), and so on. With all things considered, I'm taking the side of the beaver.

Two wrongs don't make a right. Just because there's been destruction in the past doesn't mean the NPS should allow it to continue. The NPS and its partners have done a huge amount of work this century to restore the battlefield to something resembling the views of 1863, as you mentioned in your post. I think those efforts should continue. You can see beavers in every county in Pennsylvania. There's no reason to allow the animals to destroy a hugely important and popular tract in the battlefield.

 

[uaskme]

Other restoration efforts have been affected because of modern NPS philosophy. Cutting down trees and such to return fields to their size during battles etc. Historian/NPS employee here say their uniforms have a tree on them. Natural obstacle to cutting one down, Jokingly. He actually did a lot of this decades ago. Now they are planting trees in areas for beautification. These military parks are or were developed to militarily study battles. So would all so these things obscure that study? Like has been said much of this has been lost. So why can't we maintain these reserved areas as they were during the actual battles? See it as they saw it.

 

[MWood1841]

these NPS properties serve many ancillary purposes other than their primary one, in this case a significant National Battlefield. As mentioned in other threads, green spaces for people to visit and enjoy hiking, outdoors and wildlife (managed properly) is becoming more popular which is a good thing. I believe it is possible for visitors to check off multiple recreational opportunities while taking in historic sites and lessons. We'll all see how NPS chooses to (or not to) this particular invasive species issue. If they do not soon, I'll wait for future pictures and threads to pop up showing just how extreme this problem can get. Beavers are one of nature's best equal opportunist engineers and family habitat creators.

 

[infomanpa]

A beaver builds a temporary dam.

It's temporary? That's the first I've heard of it. That's good news.

 

[Cavalier]

No nature expert here but I think the NPS should tell the beavers to take a hike.

John

 

[JHughes81]

I saw one of the beavers and the flooding when I visited the Valley of Death in October. I think they said the beavers might be removed if the flooding reaches one of the major monuments.

Personally, it shouldn't be a question if a monument is in danger of sinking or other. Not just for safety purposes but the whole restoring it to 1863 works..... when you work it. But it seems the new superintendent sides with the PETA types. I believe it will eventually lead to enough of an issue moreso than it is now. I just don't get it looking down into the valley and seeing a lake there now. But, we live in a world where animals are held in higher esteem than human beings often times, so unfortunately, I get it.

 

[archieclement]

Personally, it shouldn't be a question if a monument is in danger of sinking or other. Not just for safety purposes but the whole restoring it to 1863 works..... when you work it. But it seems the new superintendent sides with the PETA types. I believe it will eventually lead to enough of an issue moreso than it is now. I just don't get it looking down into the valley and seeing a lake there now. But, we live in a world where animals are held in higher esteem than human beings often times, so unfortunately, I get it.

Now if we just could train the beavers to build the data centers......everyone would be happy

 

[Joe Whitworth]

Must be Confederate beavers preparing the way for assault by an Ironclad Armada.

 

[JerryD]

Now if we just could train the beavers to build the data centers......everyone would be happy

Haven't you learned? Its impossible for everyone to be happy. Someone, somewhere, will find something to be highly offended by.

 

[JHughes81]

Now if we just could train the beavers to build the data centers......everyone would be happy

"I am killed"