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Beaver are an inherent, controlling factor in stream channel morphology and stream-side vegetation dynamics. However, beaver driven conditions are sometimes not recognized in evaluations of stream channel and riparian community condition. Beaver driven conditions can be interpreted as being something other than desirable. However, beaver are commonly viewed as desirable components of riparian systems. The gap in attitudes toward beaver and accepting stream conditions driven by beaver indicates assessments of stream channels and riparian conditions are sometimes made without recognizing conditions controlled by beaver. Turbid water is a common feature of beaver ponds. Failed beaver dams with exposed mud-flats, down-cut channels within mud-flats, and scouring below dams are all factors inherent to beaver driven systems. Where beaver dam density is high, these factors can dominate sizable reaches of streams. These features are easily associated with beaver before and shortly after dam-failure. However, in time they become less conspicuous, and are more likely to be attributed to other causes including livestock. Inclusion of beaver-dynamics in riparian evaluations is essential to drafting realistic goals and desired conditions. Evaluations of riparian condition and trend need to include beaver dam density, frequency of dam failures, and other features of beaver activity. Reaches of stream with relatively high density of beaver dams should not be evaluated with the same criteria as reaches with no or little beaver activity. Unless beaver driven features are recognized in assessments of riparian function, condition, and trend, assessments will be misleading, and they likely lead to management actions that will not bring about expected or desired change. Rate of recovery of vegetation in drained beaver ponds might be used as an indicator for evaluating function in relation to livestock grazing.