Beaver problem returns to Farmington

The return of a recurring beaver problem is being monitored in Farmington.

In December, after a report of a beaver dam causing water levels to rise near private property on the south fork of Pine Creek, Mayor James Woomack called for help.

Bill Foreyt, a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife certified Wildlife Operator, came out and set traps, soon catching a 42-pound male beaver.

He also broke some limbs in the center of the dam, allowing water to flow freely and minimize the flooding hazard.

The traps remained in place for three weeks.

“At this point, it was just the one beaver,” said Woomack. “I’m keeping an eye on the creek though.”

The cost to Farmington for Foreyt’s services was $75 per beaver. If none were caught, there would be no charge.

“If it starts building up again, I’ll call him back,” Woomack said. “Compared to the potential damage to personal property, the cost was insignificant. All we need is the water not to back up on people’s property.”

In August 2013, Foreyt trapped five beavers in Farmington which had built six dams along the half-mile section of Pine Creek which runs through city limits.