Bugging Out About the Emerald Ash Borer

Big changes are coming to the trees along your local stream. Emerald ash borer (EAB) is an invasive beetle that attacks and kills ash trees. We expect to find EAB in Salem in the next year or two. You can help prepare by learning if you have ash trees in your backyards and making a plan for them. Because almost all ash trees will die, making a plan of what to do with them is important. You can leave them as they are and prepare to clean them up after they die and fall, contract an arborist to inject the tree with insecticide to protect it, or remove the tree before it becomes infested. Take a look at our website to learn how to identify ash trees, see photos of the signs and symptoms of EAB, and what management options you have.

Furry Friends

You might have noticed some furry friends have moved into your local stream in the last few years. Beaver populations are on the rise in Salem, moving back into areas where they historically lived. While a new furry friend may create changes to your backyard, they help provide several amazing benefits like improving water quality in your creek, creating better habitat for fish and other wildlife, and reducing wildfire risk. Check out our website to find strategies to live with these furry friends while protecting your favorite trees and backyard.

Nosy Neighbors

While wildlife is nice to see around your property, their presence can get out of hand if you feed them. To prevent wildlife from becoming a nuisance for you and your neighbors, please be sure not to feed them. See more helpful tips and information below. 

Answers to a Few Frequently Asked Questions

Keep Streams Clean and Clear: No Dumping Here

Can I dump vegetation into the stream? No! Salem has some important rules to keep waterways safe and clean! According to Salem Revised Code (SRC) Chapter 50, you cannot dump yard waste or garbage into rivers, streams, or other places where rainwater can wash it away. This includes trash, pet waste, grass clippings, leaves, hedge trimmings, tree branches, tree stumps, or any other big pieces of wood in or near these areas. Keeping materials out of our waterways helps prevent blockages during storms and protects water quality. Let's work together to keep our streams clean and healthy! 

Streamside Plants: Can I Cut or Remove Trees and Vegetation? 

You may need a permit or other approval before removing a tree or native plants along your stream. The Salem Revised Code (SRC) Chapter 808, explains rules to protect these plants. Generally, you can't cut down trees or remove native plants within 50 feet of a stream without permission. If you do get approval to cut down a tree by the stream, leave the roots, trunk, and branches by the water unless the City thinks they might be a danger or block water flow. Leaving the cut plants provides homes for wildlife. 

You can trim or prune trees and plants along the stream without permission, but only if you remove less than 30 percent of the plant and make sure that it doesn't hurt the plant or cause it to die! 

Be Flood Prepared

Know Your Flood Hazard and Warnings

• Visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) website to see if you live in a designated floodplain. 
• To find out how flooding occurs in your area, contact the City's floodplain management office at 503-584-4646 or visit the flood safety website. 
• Sign up for Marion Polk Alerts to receive flood warnings and other important community alerts on the City's website. 

Protect Your Property from Flooding

• Dump no waste into waterways or in areas where high water can wash the materials away. This can cause the materials to collect downstream and cause water to backup and flood you and your neighbor's properties. 
• Know how to properly stack sandbags so water does not leak around them. 

Sandbags Stacking Technique 

• Place sandbags in a line, ensuring that the opening is tucked under the bag. 
• Pack each bag into place. 
• If adding an additional row, offset that row to create a pattern similar to bricks in a wall. 
• To redirect flowing water, build a pyramid and stack sandbags lengthwise in the direction of flow. 

Summer Stream Crew Arriving Soon!

The Summer Stream Crew returns for another season. This annual crew of college interns walks the majority of the streams in Salem July through September. They remove garbage and potential winter storm hazards and identify stream health issues, such as erosion and invasive species. The Stream Crew's work is important in collecting information that helps the City manage flooding, water quality, and stream health. 

If you have coordinated access needs, such as for dogs or gates, or do not want the Stream Crew to work in the stream near your property, please email streamcrew@cityofsalem.net. Learn more about the Stream Crew program and the 2025 season accomplishments on the City's website. 

Upcoming Events

Riparian Corridor Project Open House

When: Thursday May 7, 2026, 5:30p.m. - 7:30p.m.

Where: Salem Public Library, Loucks Auditorium, 585 Liberty St. SE, Salem

Join the Natural Resources and Long-Range Planning Teams for an Open House detailing the results for the statewide Goal 5 planning work. As part of this work, we've completed field work to document all of Salem's streams, riparian areas, and streamside wetlands. Come learn about the City's latest data and information on the local water resources. 

Our River Celebration

When: Saturday June 13, 2026, 10:00a.m. - 1:00p.m. 

Where: Minto-Brown Island Park Pavilion, 2200 Minto Island Rd. SW, Salem

Join the Clean Streams Team and the Mid-Willamette Outreach Group for the Our River Celebration community event! This event will have fun learning stations about all things stream related, such as macroinvertebrates, water quality, and local wildlife. Take a native plant walk with our Urban Streamside Program Coordinator. Visit all the stations to fill out your passport and win a prize! New this year, you can peruse information on the accomplishments of the 2025 Stream Crew.