Despite recent rainfall and even flash floods, California’s four-year-long drought is predicted to continue.

But ecologists believe beavers could play a part in ending one the most severe droughts on record.

The industrious rodents could help slow the flow of water heading to the sea by building dams, to create extra reserves of water and benefit other struggling species, they claim.

Ecologists believe beavers (stock image) could play a part in ending one the most severe droughts on record. The industrious rodents could help slow the flow of water heading to the sea by building dams, to create extra reserves of water and benefit other struggling specie such as salmon, they claim

They have hatched a controversial plan to repopulate central coastal parts of California with large beavers - Castor Canadensis – that once lived in large numbers.

The animals were almost eradicated in the 19th century because they interfered with logging and fishing industries, and are still considered pests.

Brock Dolman, a scientist in Sonoma County, told WaterDeeply: ‘Beavers create shock absorption against drought’ and their hydroengineering creates benefits both plants and animals.

Michael Pollock, an ecosystems analyst and beaver specialist at the National Marine Fisheries Service Northwest Science Centre, added: ‘Beavers aren’t actually creating more water, but they are altering how it flows, which creates benefits through the ecosystem.’

Despite recent rainfall and even flash floods, California’s four-year-long drought is predicted to continue. It is one of the most severe droughts in the region since records began. A stock image of parched soil is shown

Beavers build dams to create small reservoirs, which slow the flow of water to the sea, creating ideal environments for salmon, for example, as well as creating water reserves. A dam in Alaska is shown

Beavers build dams to create small reservoirs, which slow the flow of water to the sea, creating ideal environments for salmon, for example, as well as creating water reserves.

The reduction in speed allows some water to sink slowly into the ground and replenish aquifers - underground layers of water-bearing permeable rock - as well as quenching thirsty soil.

Without wooden barriers and debris to slow water down, the land has less opportunity to soak some of the water up, resulting in erosion and flooding in times of fast flow and drought in the summer.

‘We’ve created a landscape much less resilient to drought’ Mr Doman said.

He claims that arid areas of land near dried-up streams affected by the drought, could remain green and lush if beavers were introduced nearby.

Brock Dolman, a scientist in Sonoma County (shaded on the map in red) said: ‘Beavers create shock absorption against drought’. He wants to re-introduce the animals to parts of California such as Sonoma

However, despite their engineering skills, beavers (stock image) are considered a nuisance species by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife because they have been known to block roads and flood houses

Mr Dolman, who is leading the Occidental Arts and Ecology Centre’s ‘Bring Back the Beaver Campaign’ is calling for the reintroduction of the animals to build drought resilience and boost salmon populations.

However, he is already facing resistance with some people claiming the species would be invasive.

Kevin Shaffer, a fisheries biologist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife believes that while beavers could help the situation in the short-term, they cannot stop the long-term problem of climate change and will move elsewhere is there is not enough water.

The department classifies beavers as a ‘nuisance’ species because their engineering can flood properties and block roadways.