Stan’s Beaver Baffler device is recommended instead of flow pipe devices because:
- Flow pipe devices are difficult to install in deep water utilizing long 20–40-foot pipes with remote water intakes. They also constrict or totally block fish/wildlife passage.
- SBB is easily installed in shallow water using livestock panels and provides fish/wildlife passage.
Five Key Features of the SBB work together to create a device that is easy to install and provides fish/wildlife passage.
- An elongated lane fence (12-24 foot long and 3-4 foot wide) is oriented upstream.
- The device is installed in shallow water (1-2 feet).
- An integral skirt (8-14”) is incorporated as part of the lane fence device.
- Materials needed are readily available, livestock panels, steel T-posts, and T-post fence clips or rebar wire.
- Fish/wildlife passage is provided for both culvert and pond leveler versions.
- Culvert version – Incorporates short 2–4-foot wings on both sides of the culvert.
- Pond leveler version – Extends the lane fence past the dam notch a short distance (1-2 feet) and leaves the lower downstream end of the device open.
Feature 1. Elongated Lane Fence
How-A simple lane fence is oriented upstream. The structure is 3-4 feet between the fences with a length of 12-24 feet. The elongated lane fence is also pointed at the upper end.
Why an elongated fence is explained. link
Feature 2. Install SBB in Shallow Water.
How– When there is a choice, install the lane fence in water that is 1-2 feet deep. The lane fence does not need to be built in a straight line, it can be curved or angled to follow a stream channel, or near the shore of a beaver pond to take advantage of shallow water.
Why install in shallow water is explained. link
Feature 3. Incorporate an Integral Skirt
How-Create an integral skirt on the outside of the lane fence. The skirt is created by bending a 4-foot panel into a 12-14 inch skirt and 3-foot high fence.
Why create an integral skirt is explained. link
Feature 4. Materials and Tools Needed.
How – Simple is better, that is a key philosophy of Stan’s Beaver Baffler. Materials and tools needed are readily available. The SBB is designed for easy installation.
Materials needed for construction.
Materials needed for a Stan’s Beaver Baffler include only 3 items.
- Livestock panels or concrete reinforcement mesh with grids of 6”x8”, 6”x6”, or 4”x4”.
- Steel T-posts 5.5’-foot 1.25lbs/foot type
- Fence clips, 11-gauge chain-link T-post clips or rebar wire ties.
Materials cost for a typical 12’-24’ SBB structure is $250-$350.
Why these 3 materials are all that is needed for a Stan’s Beaver Baffler. link
Tools Needed for Installation
Tools needed to install a SBB include only 4 items.
- Medium 24” bolt cutters
- Fencing pliers
- T-Post Driver
- Custom wire bender
Why these 4 tools are all that is needed to install a Stan’s Beaver Baffler? link
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Feature 5. Fish/Wildlife Passage
The first four features of the Stan’s Beaver Baffler are the same for protecting both road culverts and pond leveler dam notches. Culverts and beaver dams are very different structures that require different approaches for providing Fish/Wildlife passage while resolving beaver conflicts.
A SBB provides fish/wildlife passage. Flow pipes constrict or block fish passage. Culvert fence installations that block beaver access to the culvert also block passage through a culvert.
Culvert protection version of SBB
How- Wildlife passage is provided by short 3–4-foot wings on both sides of the culvert. Fish passage is accommodated by installing upstream water intake panels with a grid appropriate for the size of fish using the stream.
Why fence wings and appropriate panel grid size provide safe Fish/Wildlife passage. link
Pond leveler protection version of SBB
How– Fish passage is provided by including a 3-4-foot-wide dam notch that is protected with a lane fence. The fence is extended past the dam notch a short distance. The lower end is left open where the dam notch transitions into a spillway and side channel.
Why dam notch protection fence and appropriate panel grid size provides fish passage. link
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Why Section