The City has a permanent maintenance easement along both sides of the canal. It is necessary for workers to walk or access the canal along its banks in order to inspect the channel and carry out repairs. While some vegetation helps stabilize banks, it must also allow inspection and repair.
Garden Planning
Deep Canal Section:
Shallow Canal Section:
Establishing a beautiful, low-maintenance planting requires selecting the appropriate plant for the types of growing conditions in your landscape. For example, each plant requires a certain amount of sun or shade, prefers different levels of soil moisture, and may have particular maintenance needs. The more you learn about the conditions in the area you wish to plant, the more likely you are to succeed in selecting plants that will thrive.
The illustrations show typical moisture levels in relation to the canal water level. When designing your planting and fencing, it is important to make sure maintenance personnel can access the canal for regular inspections. The plant lists provided below should help guide you.
Planting for erosion control and bank stabilization
Choosing plants of varying heights and structures (trees, shrubs, and groundcovers) helps prevent erosion in two important ways.
- The above-ground structure of plants (the stems, branches, and leaves) intercepts rain and slows its progress, lessening its impact as it lands on the ground. This reduces the erosive force of the rain.
- The underground structure of plants (roots and rhizomes) anchors soil and keeps it from washing away or breaking free of the bank in the canal. Root systems also provide natural channels for water to infiltrate into the ground, decreasing runoff.
It is important to plant the canal banks so that the soil remains intact and protected. From both above and below ground, plants work to protect the soil from being lost to the powerful force of water.
Why native plants?
There are several important reasons to use native plants rather than ornamental or cultivated varieties. First, plants that are native to our region are already adapted to local climate, soil, and water conditions and reduce the need for added water, fertilizer, or pesticides. Most native plants need little or no maintenance, which means less time spent mowing and pruning. Native plants also support local ecosystems, providing food and shelter for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. In short, native plants can save people time and money and are good for our environment.
Planting trees
While trees provide shade and habitat, they are a major problem if planted too close to the canal bank, as some soils in the valley are loose and the canal banks are steep. The banks simply cannot bear the weight of a grown tree. Weakened banks can lead to trees falling over and damaging your property, fences, and buildings. When a tree falls, it also can take a large portion of the bank with it, dropping sediment into the channel where it clogs the culverts and adds to visible turbidity.
For these reasons, the City strongly advises citizens to plant trees at least 10 feet away from the canal edge, also known as the top of bank. This also helps meet our visual inspection requirement. Trees can be planted well back from the canal edge and still provide the aesthetic and ecosystem benefits we seek without compromising the canal structure.
Invasive Plants
Non-native plants can have a place in our urban landscaping, if they’re managed. Some plants are so invasive that the City discourages their use altogether, and some have earned a place on Oregon’s official quarantined list. Plants you may recognize from this list of “DO NOT PLANT” species include:
- Scotch broom
- Butterfly bush
- English ivy
- Yellow flag iris
In addition, the City strongly discourages aggressive plants such as
- St. Johns wort
- Bamboo
- Blackberries, raspberries
Weed management is a special challenge in an urban setting. Keep these in mind:
- NO PESTICIDES MAY BE USED WITHIN 10 FEET OF THE CANAL
- Each species has its own appropriate management technique (pulling, spraying, mowing, etc)
- The wrong type of management technique (pulling, spraying, mowing, etc) can actually do more damage than good
- Early identification is the easiest and least expensive way to control weeds and protect your yard
Three types of plant lists
Three carefully thought-out lists of recommended plants are posted here. We encourage property owners to consult the lists when planning their landscaping, whether property is residential, commercial, or agricultural.
All three lists include extensive information about each species, the types of growing conditions they require, and photos. The plant lists are meant to provide an inspirational place to start planning your planting, but are not meant to restrict the plants you may use. We've taken much care to choose plants that will survive and thrive if planted in the proper location, along with making sure that the plants are available at nurseries within a reasonable distance of Albany and Lebanon. Each list was created with a particular user in mind:
- Urban Plants (View Plant List)
The urban plant list comprises species that will look great and perform well near the home landscape. It provides an extensive plant palette to choose from. The few ornamental species in the urban list are locally hardy and should not interfere with any neighboring native vegetation or landscaping. We have avoided plants which are aggressive and might colonize adjacent properties, such as bamboo or ivy. - Naturalized Area Plants (View Plant List)
This list is for anyone who wishes to use only native plants. Plants on this list can be used in a more naturalized, wild planting, or in a designed landscape. They would be well-suited for large areas where the property owner does not intend to mow or prune frequently and wants a stable, sustainable plant community. - Farm Plants (View Plant List)
This is a short list of species that are appropriate to plant near an agricultural area. All grass species have been reviewed by the Oregon State University Extension Service and will not interfere with local seed crops. The trees, shrubs, and groundcovers are all native species that will be hardy, without seeding or spreading prolifically.
There are lots of resources and information about weeds within the Willamette Valley and how to control them.
List of Links
Native plants
Invasive species
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The City of Albany gets its water from the South Santiam River a few miles upstream of Lebanon. The water is diverted from the river into an I8-mile man-made canal through Lebanon and across farmland to Albany. It enters Albany east of I-5 and south of Grand Prairie Road. It continues west. Crossing Waverly Drive, Geary Street. Hill Street and Queen Avenue and parallels Vine Street to the Water Treatment Plant at Third Avenue and Vine Street. The Treatment Plant has been in continuous use since it was built in 1912.
History
The Canal was dug by hand in the 1870s as a transportation route to move goods from the eastern part of the valley to the "Port of Albany" on the Willamette River. Barge traffic stopped when users found the current was too swift for travel upstream.
Water Rights
Water diverted into the Canal is controlled by water rights and permits issued by the State. The City of Albany holds rights and permits for 31.7 million gallons. They are an 1878 right to 13.3 million gallons a day (mgd) and a 1979 permit for 18.4 mgd. Legally, the older a right or permit, the more secure it is. The dates help determine how Oregon water is allocated and protected. If water rationing is necessary due to a drought, for example, those who hold newer rights or permits are cut off first.
Get notified about problems along the canal
Sign up for the Linn-Benton Alert Emergency Notification System
The Linn-Benton Alert system is a telephone based emergency notification system for residents in both Linn and Benton counties.
Reporting problems along the canal
Call 541-917-7600
Please indicate you are calling about the Canal, and leave your name, address and telephone number, the location of concern, and a brief description of the problem.
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History
The City's wastewater collection system dates back to the early 1900s and includes vitrified clay tile, concrete, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic materials. The sewer system collects wastewater from 219 miles of sewers in eleven sewer basins in Albany. The sanitary sewer system includes pipes ranging in size from 6 to 72 inches in diameter and 14 lift stations. The Water Reclamation Facility is jointly owned by the City of Millersburg and accepts wastewater from the City of Millersburg's sewer system. The Millersburg system includes four pump stations and pipes ranging in size from 6 to 21 inches.
The Albany-Millersburg Water Reclamation Facility was completed in 2009 and is located at 405 Davidson Street NE. The plant provides secondary wastewater treatment through an activated sludge process and includes a solids reduction process to both improve the quality and minimize the volume ofbiosolids.
An integrated wetlands treatment project, the Talking Water Gardens, was opened in 2012.
It cools effluent from the treatment plant to meet regulatory requirements, provides further treatment to improve effluent quality, serve as a living laboratory to educate, a conservation area for habitat of native species, and a recreational asset for the community.
The project is now in a growing phase to reach a desired 80-90% plant density in the wetland cells. This density will allow the gardens to reach the cooling goals, as well as provide further cleaning of the water by the plants.
Capacity
The treatment facility has an average daily dry weather flow capacity of 12.3 million gallons per day (MGD) and a peak wet weather capacity of 68 MGD. The facility treats wastewater substantially above regulatory requirements and has sufficient reserve capacity for growth until approximately 2030.
Sludge is screened to remove material that is not readily biodegradable, treated by aerobic digestion and thickened beforeapplication on non-food producing private agricultural lands.
Challenges
The Capital Improvement Program for the wastewater system identifies projects that are needed to upgrade and expand the system for future users ensuring that it continues to serve current customers. Pipes are deteriorating or are the wrong size and service needs to be extended to areas that are not now served.
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Wasting Water Doesn’t Make Cents.
If you live or have a business in Albany and irrigate your lawn, you qualify for a FREE irrigation audit. Our trained staff will show you practical ways to reduce your water usage and maintain a healthy lawn.
Free water audits are conducted during June through August every year
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Toilet Rebates Available Now
Older toilets are a large source of wasted water for residents, with some models using up to 6 gallons per flush. It’s estimated that a family of four can save up to 20,000 gallons, or $110, a year by replacing toilets. If half of Albany’s residents replaced one toilet in their home, it would save approximately 95 million gallons a year!
The City of Albany offers $50 rebates for replacing old toilets with a high efficiency toilet (1.28 gallons per flush). Rebates are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Need help finding a water efficient toilet? Visit the EPA’s WaterSense product search for guidance!
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Outside
Most lawns require only one inch of water each week once established. Use a rain gauge or clean tuna can to measure one inch. Modify as needed with weather.
Water early in the morning (4-8 AM) or in the evening (6-8 PM).
Don't water when it is very windy or when it has recently rained.
Water, rest, water, save. The time until your soil becomes saturated and the water runs off will vary with soil composition. If water begins to run off your lawn, try the cycle-soak method.
It is easy to tell if you are under-watering your lawn. Watch for brown spots, or wilting, or do the trample test. Walk on your lawn -if your footprints remain, increase your watering time.
Use sprinklers that release large droplets close to the ground rather than those that spray a fine mist in the air.
Install drip or soaker hoses in flower and vegetable beds. These hoses deliver water right to the base of the plant, where it is most needed.
Check your irrigation system regularly. Look for broken nozzles or sprinkler heads and make sure you are not watering hard surfaces like your driveway or sidewalk.
Consider using native or low-water-use plants in your landscaping.
Mulch around your plants to reduce water evaporation. Three inches of mulch also helps protect against weeds and still allows water to penetrate to the roots.
Visit the Albany Water Efficient (AWE) Garden located at the Main Library, northwest corner of the front parking lot.
Brochure | Plant List
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Bathroom
Don't use the toilet as a wastebasket. Many people dispose of cigarettes and small pieces of trash in the toilet. Each flush wastes two to six gallons of water.
Turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth or shaving. Swishing the razor in a partially filled sink is as effective as letting water run over the blade and can save 300 gallons a month!
Install low flow aerators on your sink and a low flow showerhead.
Repair dripping faucets or leaking toilets. Leaks are one of the largest water wasters in the home. A toilet that runs occasionally through the day may be wasting hundreds of gallons of water each month.
If your toilet was installed prior to 1993, use a milk jug to deflect some water.
Take shorter showers. If you take baths, plug the drain before turning on the water. When the water does become hot, it will quickly warm up the cool water that came out first.
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Laundry
Wash only full loads of laundry or use the load size selector on your machine. it is more efficient to wash a full large load than several full small loads.
Pretreat stains to prevent having to wash more than once.
Consider replacing an older washing machine. Some new models use as little as 12 gallons per load (compared to 40 for standard top loading machines) and offer faster spins that reduce drying time.
If your laundry has a sink, install a low flow aerator on the faucet.
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Kitchen
Only run the dishwasher when it is full. If you wash dishes by hand, fill the second basin with rinse water or turn the water off between rinsing.
Don't run water to wait for it to get cool. Fill a pitcher with water and store it in the refrigerator.
Check and repair leaks often. Leaks are one of the largest wasters of water in the home.
Save the "waiting to get hot" water and use it to water plants or put it in a pitcher in the fridge to drink later.
Don't let the faucet run while you scrub vegetables. Put a stopper in a clean sink and partially fill it instead.
Don't use warm water to thaw out food, put it in the microwave, or in the refrigerator the night before.
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