The National Park Service has begun draining a beaver-created pond at Gettysburg National Military Park, a move aimed at restoring the historic appearance of the battlefield as it existed during the Battle of Gettysburg.
The project, announced this week, focuses on a pond along Crawford Avenue near Devil’s Den and Little Round Top. Officials say water levels will be gradually lowered over the next two months to reestablish the flow of Plum Run as a visible stream and to better reflect the landscape described in firsthand accounts from 1863.
The effort is part of the park’s broader mission to preserve both the historical and natural integrity of one of the nation’s most significant Civil War sites. Over time, beaver activity has altered portions of the terrain, creating wetlands that did not exist during the battle and obscuring sightlines that are considered important for interpreting troop movements and battlefield conditions.
Federal officials say the drawdown is being conducted slowly to limit environmental disruption and protect surrounding resources. Beaver activity, they note, remains present in other areas of the park and is expected to continue.
The plan has drawn concern from local conservationists and environmental groups, who argue the pond has evolved into a valuable wetland habitat. The site supports a range of wildlife, including migratory birds and species that depend on marsh-like conditions. Among them is the least bittern, a small heron listed as endangered in Pennsylvania that relies on dense wetland vegetation for nesting.
Advocates warn that draining the pond could eliminate a key breeding and stopover site during critical migration periods, potentially displacing wildlife that returns seasonally to the area. The pond has also been cited as an important ecological feature within the park’s modern landscape, reflecting natural processes that have unfolded since the Civil War.
Source: Fox43, Yahoo!
I would guess that firsthand accounts didn’t mention a paved two-lane road that transects the valley which dramatically alters the landscape? The NPS says asphalt road is all good…but wildlife habitat is bad?
Agreed. It’s the roads that severely distract from interpretation of the battlefield; and those of course did not develop naturally. If they truthfully want to restore interpretive value, start with taking those away from the central areas of the field (the non- historic ones of course), perhaps leaving those on the outskirts for parking. True battlefield enthisuastias know the importance of walking the field; those who would truly be (probably the only really) ones interested in interpretation of the battle. Inconsistent logic unviels the actual source of the concern: of course you won’t have as many visitors should the roads be taken away, therefore taking an immense toll on profit which is the real driving force here: seeing the field as it “actually was” is a pretty good advertising ploy.
The Park’s sole mission is to interpret the battle. The roads and monuments mark the areas where units fought, and are thus essential to and support that mission. A beaver pond does not.