I just got a call that a beaver is plugging the road culvert again. This spot I have trapped for around 40 yrs on and off and it never seams that I never run out of them. Problem; 4 ft culvert and he's got it plugged about 20 feet into the culvert. I have never seen this there. A person would about have to swim to get at the dam. What would you do?

Pretend I didn't get the call!

You should be able to get in from the low end.
I often put on a pair of running shoes and just wade in and start ripping the dam,after the beaver have been removed of course.
I remove all the long sticks from the foot and back face of the dam before I start letting the water go.After a few pulls with the beaver rake the whole dam starts moving-thatis when you swim out.
I prefer opening the big culverts the small ones are risky going in from the low end.
A 4 foot culvert is no problem.

If I don't do this someone else might get the call. I might loose a trapping spot.

Call the Town Road agent to spot you...and to throw you a floatation ring...

In case it gets out of hand....and maybe some bandaids

Get on your knees and thank God that plugged culvert, and those beaver are not in the South.

I'd like to see Boco crawl into a southern culvert to unplug it. Local hospitals do have anti-venom in stock in most ERs.

Backroadsarcher,
Based on diameter of that culvert....you may have to have heavy equipment (backhoe or excavator) and use a power pole or tree as a plunger.

In my town ...I am the trapper ..not the clean out crew.

I leave that chore to the DPW...and them 19 year olds trying to get

A full time gig with the town.

This one is holding a lot of water back. My thought I pull the wrong stick I might end of quite a ways down the creek without a paddle.

Is there a set I can use in the entrance? This beaver acts like he has seen conibears before.

And have you ol lady take a video ,when you do this.

Might make it on ..Funniest Home Videos

We need pics ...to nail this down

Picture a 4 foot size hole going under a road. The bank is even to the front edge of the culvert both sides, nothing but open water in front. Water probably 2-3 feet deep in the entrance. No brush or trees on the bank and the bank is quite steep.

I'd drive up and help you out, but it's supposed to be 100 degrees for the next few days. On the other hand, we could tie a rope to your belt, and I will tie the other end to the tow hook on the front of my truck, while I stay in the air conditioned cab, and hit reverse to pull you out of harms way if you pull the wrong stick. Waddaya say?

Get a 4 foot square of hog pannel, enough to block the culvert opening. Cut out a hole big enough for a 330, the only way in. Go in backside and remove just enough to get some flow moving.

I’ve double stacked 330s in tall stands right at the culvert. A hoe with a thumb grabbing an old hydro pole to punch it out. The RM sometimes leaves a chain run right through the culvert. If it gets plugged inside, the chain a tire to one end and pull it through with a truck or something, works good.
No matter what, we get wet. It’s hot out anyway.

Can you walk back from the culvert...and get away from the steep

Drop offs ...and find and edge ...where water meets land ..for some footholds..with a food lure ( wood chipper)

There has to be something to set...once you get away from that culvert.

Me & Shakey will come out...stand on the culvert...fire up

A fat one...and come up with a plan ...

I'll bring some beer so you don't get dehydrated.

In the spring I set this culvert edge all the time either with castor or a food lure and I am in business to catch all the travelers. I have had the beavers caught that makes this home so all that is left are traveling beaver. This beaver or two just moved in. If they would stay away from the culvert they would be safe until season.

Maybe a snare between the edge of the culvert and a good size pole driven in the bottom?