TIMBER! Even in the City, You Can Still Spot Wisconsin’s Original Lumberjacks
beavers are taking part in downtown Eau Claire construction – if you know where to look
words & photos by Alex Chouinard |
Lumber has never been an issue in the Chippewa Valley since the industry started in the Badger State. We’ve all come to know the rich and powerful history of the Sawdust City, but what of our sharp-toothed, reclusive neighbors who share a similar interest? I grew up in and have lived in the Chippewa Valley for the better part of my 26 years, and have always had a keen interest in wildlife and the outdoors (as most do in the Northwoods). I’ve come to learn a lot about the many animal species, both common and rare, found in our area.
We are fortunate to live in such a naturally rich area as we do at the Confluence. We owe our great city to two historic pursuits: lumber and fur. Considering that Eau Claire is now a sprawling community of around 70,000 people, we’ve moved away from those trades for the most part (though remnants and whispers of the past seem to stand the test of time in the area). The Indigenous peoples and French gathered a wealth of pelts and furs from the woods and waters long before the lumber mills started to yield.
The fur trade flourished most successfully on the back of one special critter: the beaver. I myself have only rarely seen them in the far north of Wisconsin or protected wildlife areas – certainly not at the confluence of two rivers at the center of a bustling downtown! My home is situated in just that place, right on the bike path at the Confluence – a place of meeting, watching, and learning. A place where eagles hunt and beavers munch!
Recently, I was out for a very standard evening potty excursion (approximately 6:30pm) with my husky, Neiko, when upon soiling his favorite shrub we noticed a heavy cracking of the branches and a tumbling of sorts. He was first to inspect with snout and ear. We approached the riverbank only to see a rather robust “raccoon” figure scrambling down the bank. Thanks to my wonderful phone flashlight, I saw the cause of the ruckus – a beaver! Quite startled, the wholesome rodent evaded us, escaping quickly down the bank towards the water’s edge. That’s when I noticed 10 trees had been “gnawed” to nothing and had fallen on their sides. It started to rain, so I took some pictures of the freshly harvested lumber and ran inside to tell my wife the exciting news of our new neighbors!
After describing the wonderful events, I started to make notes and came across an interesting junction: I saw the trees, I saw the beaver, but I hadn’t seen a lodge. The next day I took to both the Chippewa and Eau Claire rivers to find where these beavers lay their tails at night. Upon a few miles of walking, I found nothing. To my knowledge, beavers always make a lodge or hut of some sort for both warmth and protection. Upon more research and word of mouth, it became very apparent these marvelous creatures don’t just chop and swim – they dig. This information prompted me to quickly return to the riverbank in front of my house to look for their den.
Beavers, as nimble and sneaky as they are, leave many signs, the biggest of which are their “slides” – the trails they make with their chubby bodies whilst laboring with their logs. These slides either lead to the water or their homes. Sure enough, at the base of the riverbank, I spied two burrows the size of a foxhole. It was safe to say they had found their home – under my house and free of frivolous rent, I might add. I suppose I am now a rodent landlord, or rather, I’ve made a new a terrestrial acquaintance. Generally, I’d be a bit upset to see this minor deforestation occurring on the bike path because I enjoy the privacy and fall colors, but I certainly won’t let a family starve!
Beavers are living history, through and through. They know the land and tend to it with care. It has always been a thing of great wonder to see the way animals adapt to their environment. I encourage you to take the time to stop and explore the details of your environment and surroundings, as you never know what you might find: a new friend, a new food, a new skill, or maybe a new neighbor.
