The city of Murfreesboro confirmed it had two beavers killed after they say the animals built a dam that caused flooding, a move that infuriated local environmentalists.

According to U.S. Department of Agriculture biologist Blaine Hyle, Murfreesboro contracted USDA Wildlife Services in April to examine a dam made by beavers at Sinking Creek that caused flooding.

Sinking Creek is near Oaklands Wetlands. A medium-sized beaver dam was causing water to build up close to a neighboring private property, and the owner expressed concerns over mosquitoes.

"Several property owners were affected by rising water levels, as well as Highland Avenue and the tributaries that run under this road," said Rachel Singer, superintendent of Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation.

In June, a pond leveler was installed to control excess water, but the beavers discovered the pipe, chewed it in half and plugged it, rendering it ineffective, Hyle said.

When that didn't work, Singer said, biologists breached the dam twice a week in September to control the water levels.

The city "reluctantly" contracted USDA to kill the two beavers at Sinking Creek at the end of September, Hyle said.

"Throughout each of these procedures, we were never able to control and lower the water level enough to avoid damage to the existing infrastructures of this area," Singer said. "At this time, we decided to remove the beavers after exhausting all options."

The two beavers were killed in mousetrap-like devices called body grip traps, Hyle said. The body grip traps exert tremendous pressure and are compliant with USDA protocol for lethal removal of beavers.

According to Hyle, the city spent $3,332 in non-lethal methods to resolve the flooding and $185 to kill the beavers and breach the dam.

"Our staff has worked really hard for many months on this," Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland said. "I feel confident in our team."

Environmentalists heartbroken over beaver deaths

"It's important that the city knows a lot of people care about this place," Justyna Kostkowska said.

Kostkowska, an MTSU professor, is part of Friends of Sinking Creek Wetlands and was a driving force behind the preservation of Oaklands Wetlands when a housing development was proposed for the area in 2017.

Beavers, known as a "keystone species," are an indication of a healthy environment. Otters had moved into the area and fish were beginning to grow in the pond made by the beaver dam, Kostkowska said. The area is home to 141 known species of birds.

Singer says the city "absolutely" considered beavers' impact on the environment when making its decision.

"We did everything we could to allow the beavers to stay," Singer said. "This area is important to us as an urban wetland and serves as a refuge for many species. We remain committed to protecting these areas and the flora and fauna within."

Shortly before the beavers were euthanized, Kostkowska said, she was reassured by the city that draining the excess water was going well. However, after that, heavy rains led to additional flooding which she believes put pressure on the city to act fast. Hyle confirmed that the rainfall affected the drainage.

Singer said the beavers weren't candidates for relocation because of a state law that prohibits beaver relocation. However, Hyle said beaver relocation was "strictly controlled" by Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and although in most cases prohibited, relocation can happen. TWRA spokesman Barry Cross said "that landowners may capture, but must release or euthanize the animal." Cross didn't reference any law that prohibits beaver relocation.

"Because beavers are territorial, relocating beavers into another's territory would be deadly and cruel," Singer said.

Parks and Recreation is monitoring the area to discourage beavers from inhabiting the natural wetland, Singer said.

But Kostkowska wants another approach rather than discouraging wildlife from existing in its natural habitat.

"I would like to educate people and create a coexistence culture rather than a killing culture," Kostkowska said. "Our group is dying to help; we'd love to be stewards of the place."

Reach Brinley Hineman at bhineman@gannett.com or 615-278-5164 and on Twitter @brinleyhineman.