Salt Lake City Saved by Beavers

Two beavers may have saved the water supply of Salt Lake City from contamination on Tuesday. The Utah Division of Wildlife found the beavers on the shore of Willard Bay, an artificial lake built as a reservoir for Salt Lake City in 1964.

Tuesday a Chevron pipeline started leaking diesel fuel into the area the beavers had made their pond. The beavers dam stopped 8,000-gallons of the toxic fuel from spreading into the city’s reservoir and contaminating the drinking water. Conservation officer Mitch Lane found the beavers out of the water and acting more than a little strange. The beavers were soaked by the diesel fuel and not in good shape. He took the animals to the rehabilitation center were they are being cleaned and are receiving medical care.