This study was conceived to investigate the potential capabilities of aerial photography in mapping the distribution of beaver colonies and beaver-induced changes in waterside forest stands. The article analyzes aerial images from the Karelian part of the Vodlozersky NP taken in 2015–2016 within a forest management inventory. The analysis covered 84 colonies, of which 31 % (n=26) were inhabited or recently abandoned and 63 % (n=53) were abandoned. The habitation of 6 % of the colonies is questionable. Dams were spotted in 71 colonies (84.5 %). In 37 colonies we managed to spot and map 41 active or overgrowing beaver ponds. The area of flooded or flood-killed forest was 0.2 ha at minimum, 46.5 at maximum, and 13 ha on average.