Last week on our patrol in the back woods on the snow-machine trail, we found the status of bridge Echo (the fifth bridge on the trail that goes by our house) to be quite concerning.

As you can see, it has been shifted about half its width to the left, with the near end shifted a bit more than the far end. The bridge has been under threat from the resurgent beaver population. In prior years they have built several substantial dams downstream from here (to the left) and have built several solid dams upstream this year. Prior to this year, the stream has risen in the spring enough to overwhelm the bridge and block our crossing until later in the summer when the stream level diminishes.

With the autumn season causing the flora to stop soaking up water and fairly regular rainfall, we have seen the stream steadily rise. Apparently the latest rain, combined with the new beaver damming, has caused flooding enough to raise the bridge and move it.

When the bridge is impassable without wearing waders, we are prevented from getting to the far bog and other scenery to the east of us. With the additional damming upstream, our ability to get around this blockage becomes more complicated.