Nutria Removal Planned in Santiam-Albany Canal

The wildlife management company will be using approved control methods to remove the nutria.

Nutria, a big overgrown hamster? Photo courtesy: ccshost.com

(ALBANY, Ore.) - A wildlife management company will be removing nutria from the Santiam-Albany Canal over the next several months under a contract with the City of Albany.

The City of Albany owns and maintains the canal, which serves as the drinking water source for the cities of Lebanon and Albany.

Nutria, which are invasive, nonnative rodents, damage the canal banks and create other concerns for canal managers and adjacent property owners.

The wildlife management company will be using approved control methods to remove the nutria.

Most of the work will be in the canal waterway, and the company’s employees will work mostly within the canal maintenance right-of-way, though they may need to investigate evidence of nutria habitat on the banks of the canal.

In a few places, wildlife managers may need access to the canal bank from adjacent private property and will ask for permission.

Property owners, those who rent property along the canal, or others who have questions about this activity or any other questions or concerns about the canal should call Dan Grassick, Facilities Maintenance Coordinator, at (541) 917-7622 (office) or (541) 990-5782 (cell), or by e-mail at dan.grassick@cityofalbany.net.

If a phone call is answered by voicemail, leave a message with your name and phone number along with the date, time, and location of the area you are concerned about.

Be as specific as possible so that Albany staff can respond quickly.