Beavers Cause Flooding, Property Damage in Clarksville Neighborhood

Residents near Fox Trail Court battle persistent beaver issues, leading to killed animals and environmental concerns.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 8:05pm

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Residents in a Clarksville, Tennessee neighborhood near Fox Trail Court have been dealing with a family of beavers that have been causing major flooding, property damage, and other nuisance issues for years. The beavers built dams that flooded yards, damaged fences, and even harassed local dogs. After reaching out to authorities with no resolution, the residents took matters into their own hands and killed the beavers using a compound bow. However, the flooding and environmental issues remain, with stagnant water, mosquitos, snakes, and a foul odor plaguing the area.

Why it matters

This story highlights the growing tensions between human development and wildlife, as well as the challenges residents face in dealing with nuisance animals that can cause significant property damage and public health concerns. It also raises questions about the role of local government in addressing these types of issues and the best practices for residents to take when facing similar problems.

The details

The issues started in June 2025 when residents Ian Blankenship and Tim Dutton began noticing standing water, damaged fences, and the presence of beavers on their properties. The beavers had built dams that clogged the storm drain and flooded the yards, killing the grass and creating a breeding ground for mosquitos, snakes, and other pests. The beavers also aggressively confronted the residents' dogs. After reaching out to the city and state wildlife authorities with no resolution, the residents took matters into their own hands and killed the beavers using a compound bow. However, the flooding and environmental issues remain, with stagnant water, a foul odor, and continued concerns about public health and safety.

  • The issues started in June 2025 when the residents first moved in.
  • The first beaver was killed sometime in October 2025.
  • The other two beavers were killed in February 2026 after emerging from hibernation.

The players

Ian Blankenship

A resident who lives near Fox Trail Court and has been dealing with the beaver issues since moving into his rental property in 2025.

Tim Dutton

A resident who lives next door to Blankenship and has also been impacted by the beavers, including having his fence damaged.

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA)

The state wildlife agency that the residents contacted for guidance on dealing with the beavers, which informed them that beavers are considered a nuisance animal and can be killed without a permit if they are causing property damage.

David Smith

The Street Department Director for the City of Clarksville, who stated that his department had not received any recent complaints or contact about the issues on Fox Trail Court.

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What they’re saying

“As a month or two had gone by, we started to get this hole in our fence and then noticed we started having beavers come up in the yard.”

— Ian Blankenship, Resident

“The first time it happened he (the dog) jumped and barked, then got chased around the yard for a little bit before they slipped back underneath the fence.”

— Ian Blankenship, Resident

“All of the mosquitos and other microbes and bacteria that live in this drainage area that was dammed up by the beavers, it poses considerable disease threats to family pets, any grazing deer, or any other ruminants. There are also kids who run around back here, and it's also posing a threat to them and their safety.”

— Tim Dutton, Resident and Environmental Consultant

What’s next

The city has stated they will look into the issues on Fox Trail Court, but it remains to be seen if they will take any concrete action to address the ongoing flooding, environmental concerns, and property damage caused by the former beaver population.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges residents can face when dealing with nuisance wildlife, especially when local authorities are slow to respond. It underscores the need for better coordination between residents, wildlife agencies, and municipal governments to proactively address these types of issues before they escalate to the point of residents taking matters into their own hands, which can lead to further environmental and public health concerns.