By now you’ve likely heard of BDAs, or beaver dam analogs. Trout Unlimited has been creating them for a few years across the country, up high in watersheds.

They serve a few purposes: they keep cold, clean water higher in the system for longer in the season; they improve and expand habitat for trout along with aquatic macro invertebrates and beavers; and they create a refuge for fish and wildlife during future wildfires.

This one, high in a watershed in California, is creating a home for golden trout. Check back next week for more on that project.