Got beaver?
Tempe Town Lake does.
Of the many Tempe residents and visitors who use the lake, "Bubba the Town Lake Beaver" is quickly becoming the most elusive and infamous of all.
"The beaver is -- in theory -- east of Tempe Town Lake in a sensitive habitat," said Tempe resident Dennis Skolnick, 49, who said he holds the trademark to use "Bubba's" name and likeness.
According to Tempe Town Lake spokeswoman Kris Baxter, Bubba resides along the Salt River, below the intersection of Loop 101 and Loop 202 freeways.
The existence of beavers in the area is nothing new. At least a family -- about five or six beavers -- currently resides there. Baxter said the animals inhabited the area before the Salt River was dammed.
"The area between the 101 and the 202 is a beautiful marshy area," Baxter said.
It is not known how beavers are entering the area, and it's even harder to confirm their presence at the lake.
Skolnick said he believes the beavers are entering the lake by jumping over the dam at the east side of the lake.
"The beaver doesn't live in the lake; he visits the lake under the cloak of invisibility," Skolnick said. "He doesn't want to be seen."
Joe Munoz, spokesman for the Flood Control Department of Maricopa County, said all that has been seen of the beavers thus far are tracks.
"[Our employees] have seen tracks and the trees that [they] have ate," Munoz said. "We see tracks all the time."
But Skolnick said he urges those interested to try to catch a glimpse of the beavers.
"Spend time at Tempe Town Lake, get a paddle boat and move around the edges going toward Mesa," Skolnick said.
Skolnick said that he would like to see Bubba used as a mascot for the lake and has approached the City Council on many occasions to discuss the idea.
"This is the coolest thing to happen to Tempe since Hugh Hallman was elected," Skolnick said. "People are marginalizing the power of the beaver ... I would love to see the city embrace it as an image that brings people to the lake."
Baxter said the City currently uses the Mill Avenue Bridge as the lake symbol and has no plans to change it.
"[He] will not be a symbol for Tempe because the lake is so much itself ... there is no need for a mascot."
Skolnick, who is best known as the self-proclaimed "Mill Avenue Food Critic," urges residents to consider the positive image that "Bubba" could promote.
"The beaver makes kids feel good and sells Tempe hospitality," he said. "How can it be bad if kids go around smiling?"
Reach the reporter at jenna.eckenrode@asu.edu
