This page provides problem-solving advice and ways to make your yard less attractive to beavers in the first place.
For more information on these aquatic mammals, including what they eat and where they live in the forest preserves, visit the main beavers page.
Flooding due to beavers in DuPage forest preserves is only controlled by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County if it causes a public danger. However, if a beaver dam in a forest preserve is causing flooding upstream on private property, the District may install a drain pipe in the dam to regulate water levels.
How to Make Your Yard Less Attractive
Beavers are known to carry giardia, a parasite that causes severe diarrhea. Pets and humans can get giardia if they swallow water that contains the parasite, so never drink unfiltered water.
Beaver Dams & Flooding
How to Make Your Yard Less Attractive
What You Should Never Do
Public Health Concerns
If you find a wild animal that looks injured or orphaned, leave it alone and call the Forest Preserve District's Willowbrook Wildlife Center at 630-942-6200. Recordings offer general advice when the center is closed.
Or visit the wildlife rescue advice page.
More About
Birds
Fish
Frogs, Turtles, Snakes & More
Insects, Spiders, Crayfish & More
Mammals
Mussels & Snails
Living With Wildlife
Bats
Chipmunks & Ground Squirrels
Coyotes
Eastern Cottontails
Mallards & Geese
Opossums
Raccoons
Skunks
Songbirds
Tree Squirrels
White-Tailed Deer
Woodchucks
Woodpeckers
Banner image by Jerry Hiam/CC BY-NC 2.0
3S580 Naperville Road
Wheaton, IL 60189
630-933-7200
forest@dupageforest.org
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Forest Preserve District is committed to making its facilities accessible to all visitors. Contact 630-933-7683 or TTY 800-526-0857.