Beavers on the Lower Ganaraska River

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, October 29, 2026 (Port Hope, ON) — The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority (GRCA) and the Municipality of Port Hope are aware of beaver activity along the lower Ganaraska River.

GRCA and Port Hope staff have been monitoring the beaver dam, south of Jocelyn Street and west of the former MTO property, since 2022.

The dam is located in a side channel, parallel to the main river, and is not blocking flow or fish passage in the main branch of the river. As the beaver dam is located on public land, in a natural river corridor, efforts are being made to coexist with the beavers.

The ongoing monitoring efforts have confirmed the beaver activity and associated dam are not flooding private lands, increasing flood risk, threatening infrastructure or creating public safety concerns.

The lower flow observed below the dam is a function of the normal base flows in the river this time of year ,which is currently 2 to 3 ㎥/s. The last major precipitation event took place in the region on October 16th.

Should the ongoing monitoring efforts confirm the beavers are creating a hazard on public property, GRCA would recommend to the property owner that consideration be given to engaging a licensed contractor to remove the animals. This would be considered as a last resort and would follow best practices and applicable laws.

A river corridor with active beaver complexes typically contains a greater diversity of habitat types and, therefore, supports more species. Public agencies are increasingly inclined to support coexistence measures, unless a clear risk emerges.

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For more information about the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority, please call 905.885.8173 or visit https://grca.on.ca.