List of canals in Oregon facts for kids

Canals are like special waterways built by people! They're not natural rivers or streams, but rather channels dug to move water for different reasons. In the state of Oregon, there are many of these man-made waterways. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) says a canal is a waterway made by humans for boats, or for draining land, watering crops (irrigation), mining, or making power.

As of December 4, 2008, Oregon has 661 canals listed by the USGS! That's a lot of human-made waterways helping people and the land across the state.

Why Are Canals Important in Oregon?

Canals play a big role in Oregon, especially in farming and providing power.

Helping Farms Grow (Irrigation)

Many canals in Oregon are used for irrigation. This means they carry water from rivers or lakes to dry farmland. Imagine a farmer needing water for their crops, but the nearest river is far away. Canals solve this problem by bringing the water right to the fields! This is super important for growing food and supporting farms in drier parts of the state.

• A Canal (Klamath County): This canal helps bring water to farms in Klamath County, a place known for its agriculture.
• Hermiston Ditch (Umatilla County): In Umatilla County, this ditch is vital for watering crops in the Hermiston area.
• Owyhee Canal (Malheur County): This canal in Malheur County is part of a large system that irrigates many farms in eastern Oregon.

Making Electricity (Water Power)

Some canals are built to help create electricity. Water flowing through a canal can be directed to turn turbines, which are like giant spinning wheels. These spinning turbines then power generators to make electricity. This is a clean way to produce energy!

• Eugene Water & Electric Board Canal (Lane County): This canal helps provide power for the city of Eugene.
• Sidney Power Ditch (Marion County): In Marion County, this ditch also helps generate power.

Draining Wet Areas (Drainage)

Sometimes, land can be too wet, like a swamp or a marsh. Canals can be dug to drain away extra water, making the land useful for building or farming.

• A Drain (Malheur County): This canal helps remove excess water from land in Malheur County.
• Blanton Drain (Malheur County): Another example in Malheur County that helps with drainage.
• Marquam Dry Lake Canal (Multnomah County): This canal helps drain a dry lake area in Multnomah County.

Other Uses for Canals

Canals can also be used for other purposes, like moving boats or helping with mining operations.

• Willamette Falls Locks and Canal (Clackamas County): This canal has locks, which are like water elevators, that help boats move around the Willamette Falls.
• Mining Channel (Baker County): Some canals were built to help with mining, moving water for gold panning or other mining activities.

Did You Know?

• The canals in Oregon are found in many different counties, from the coast to the eastern deserts.
• Some canals are very old, built by pioneers and early settlers to help develop the land.
• The elevation of these canals varies greatly, from just a few feet above sea level near the coast to thousands of feet high in the mountains.

See also

• Lists of Oregon-related topics