Muskrats have always been residents of our farm pond.  Historically, they made their dens by tunneling into the pond bank from below the waterline.  Angling upward after completing the entrance the semi-aquatic rodents then hollowed out subterranean chambers and called them home.   This behavior became evident more than a few times over the years when the tunnels and chambers caved in.  The muskrats simply dug new dens, but we were left to fill and reseed the collapsed areas around the pond. 

As shallow areas in the pond have silted in over the years more shoreline sections have become covered with cattails,  This has provided the habitat and construction materials needed for the muskrat's new home building style.  Similar to the bank dens, entrance to the constructed huts is below the waterline.  Protected by a water moat when it is above freezing, and frozen solid in colder temperatures, these new mini domes provide a snug, safe home for the muskrats, and a welcome new addition to our pondscape.