Dammed off by wood and brush, the once flowing channel has transformed into a wetland and presented homeowners with some unique challenges.

Heavy rain and sudden snowmelts have caused water levels rise right up to homeowners’ property lines. Mosquitos also pose problems during the summer months, as does the horrid stench from the stagnant water.

“It smells like (expletive) all the time!” said Vince Balsamo, who, like Vommaro, purchased his nearby Mountainberry Road house when it was new more than 20 years ago.

Vommaro recently presented councillors with a petition signed by neighbours who want the trail restored to its former state.

Some councillors are sympathetic to the plight of residents.

“It smells so bad people can’t even stay in their backyards long enough to cook a barbecue,” said Coun. Pat Fortini.

While other council members say encounters with wildlife comes with the territory, as Brampton continues to expand its urban footprint over natural areas.

“This is something that happens all over the city. This is not unique,” said Coun. Grant Gibson.

But residents say this isn’t the development they bought into.

“We paid to live on premium ravine lots. This is not what I pay premium taxes for,” Balsamo said.

Kathy Duncan, Brampton animal services manager, said in addition to wrapping mesh around trees the city has installed a ‘baffle’ (a porous pipe) at the dam to keep water flowing. Since installing the baffle in late September, Duncan said the water level has dropped about three feet.

Animal services crews are scheduled to return in the spring to get a better handle on whether these measures are enough to encourage the beavers to move on.

Vommaro said without a lasting solution to the problem —reverting the trail to its pre-2011 state — beavers will continue to be a gnawing problem for residents of this Springdale neighbourhood.