Information about Conflicts caused by Beaver Burrowing
Beavers are strong, able burrowers and can readily excavate burrows, chambers and canals for shelter and access to food. Such structures can collapse and may increase bank-side erosion. Anyone with a serious concern about beaver burrowing should consult available national guidance (see links below) and seek professional advice as any work carried out should consider animal welfare and not cause pollution.
How to Tackle Beaver Burrowing Conflicts

Make Space
- The majority of burrowing conflicts arise in places where watercourses are confined between engineered banks or flood walls.
- Where these engineered structures exist < 20m from the main channel beavers can create burrows which can decrease the integrity of the main engineered bank or flood wall.
- Where these engineered structures are set back from the main channel by > 20m, the impact of beaver burrowing is insignificant.
- Designs of new, earth embankments should incorporate space between the bank and channel, and also, where possible, re-align existing banks.
- Naturalised earth banks are more resistant to burrow collapse. Planting fast-growing, native species such as willow which develop a root complex will support the bank structure as well as providing a food resource which may discourage beavers from foraging inland.
Infilling Beaver Burrows and Canals
- Certain burrows, such as short, non-chambered or unoccupied collapsed burrows may be infilled to prevent re-use. However, advice should be sought prior to such actions to determine beaver occupation status and to respect regulations on the materials to use.
- In England, you can only infill a beaver burrow without a licence if you are sure that no beavers or other protected species, such as otters, are using it. You will need to document evidence of this. See here for further information.
- If the roof of a burrow has collapsed completely, exposing all the tunnels and chambers, beavers are unlikely to be using the burrow. If only part of the roof has collapsed, beavers may repair this.
- In England, you can infill beaver channels without a licence only if the channels increase the risk of bank erosion or pose a risk to livestock or machinery, and if infilling the channels will not affect a beaver burrow or lodge.
- In Scotland, you can infill a short beaver burrow with no end chamber without a licence.
In Scotland
As of 1st May 2019 beavers are recognised as a European Protected Species in Scotland.
Protecting banks from beaver burrowing does not require a licence but addressing a conflict caused by an established burrow may require a licence under the current management framework.
If you own or manage land that is affected by beaver burrowing visit NatureScot’s website.
In England
As of 1st October 2022 beavers are recognised as a European Protected Species in England.
Protecting banks from beaver burrowing and removing a burrow that has collapsed to the point where it can no longer be used, does not require a licence but addressing a conflict caused by a burrow that is still usable does require a licence under the current management framework, even if it is not in current use.
If you own or manage land that is affected by beaver burrowing, visit the Government’s website.
In Wales
Beavers are not currently a protected species in Wales.
If you own or manage land that is affected by beaver burrowing contact the Welsh Beaver Project for support on beaver.afanc@
Other Management Techniques

Mitigate Beaver Impacts
Choose from a range of well-established mitigation and management techniques