Southampton scientists have led the way in a study that discovered a species of fish can in fact successfully navigate beaver dams in defiance of expectations.

The research, conducted by the University of Southampton, monitored trout movements in two streams in northern Scotland, one of which was modified by four beaver dams.

The trout were tracked using telemetry technology during critical spawning periods from October to December.

The study found that high river flows, triggered by rainfall, significantly increased the likelihood of successful upstream passage, and that larger fish had greater success navigating the dams.

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Professor Paul Kemp, the project lead at the university, said: “Our findings indicate how fish response to river modification through the construction of dams by beaver can be nuanced.

“However, under some circumstances beaver dams can pose barriers to fish movement, particularly under low flows.

The research was funded by the collaborating organisations, the Natural Environmental Research Council and the University of Southampton’s doctoral research programme Spitfire.