Program update - May 2023

All County maintained ditches north of Highway 16 will be broadcast sprayed with herbicide where required this year.   

All ditches south of Highway 16 and country residential subdivisions will be sprayed for weeds and brush using a combination of spot-spraying and broadcast spraying. 

To request “no spray” next to your property, please contact us at:
780-417-7100 to learn about our Landowner Option Program. 

Last modified: June 23, 2023, 3:20 p.m.

Strathcona County maintains rural ditches to improve visibility and ensure safe road travel, allow proper drainage to prevent flooding, and prevent weeds from spreading to protect the environment and surrounding agricultural land.

County workers spraying herbicide in a roadside ditch.

The Rural Roadside Vegetation Control program controls weeds, brush and trees on rural roadsides and in municipal reserves. Control methods include brushing and mulching trees, mowing and spraying.

Brushing and mulching

Brushing involves removing tree along the roadside, and mulching uses a machine to shred trees and brush into mulch chips that are left to naturally decompose in the ditch over time. 

These activities improve sightlines at intersections and along the roadside, increase efficiency during snow clearing in winter, and improve drainage.

Brushing and mulching are only conducted in County-owned ditches and roadsides in parts of rural Strathcona County. Ornamental trees near approaches and shelterbelts on private property are not removed as part of this program.

Common questions

 

Mowing

Mowing activities keep roadside vegetation short to improve visibility for the safety of residents travelling on rural roads and to ensure proper drainage.

The frequency of mowing depends on the location of the ditches:

  • Range roads and township roads are mowed twice per year. The first cut occurs during May or June and the second cut occurs during July or August.
  • Rural subdivisions are mowed once per year, typically in August.
  • Rural hamlets are mowed three times per year, in June, July and August.

Common questions

 

Spraying

Along with brushing and mowing, spraying herbicide is another tool the County uses to manage weeds and brush in the ditch.

The County treats weeds and plants designated as noxious and prohibited noxious under the Alberta Weed Act in order to prevent their spread onto private property. Trees and brush under two meters tall are also sprayed to prevent encroachment onto the road.

Landowner option program 

Rural residents in Strathcona County who do not wish to have herbicide applied to the roadside next to their property can sign up for Strathcona County’s Landowner Option Program (LOP). Once enrolled in the program, landowners assume the responsibility of noxious weeds, prohibited noxious weeds and brush control. 

To learn more, or to take part in the program, please contact the County at 780-417-7100.

Common questions

 

Further information:

County Connect

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Last updated: Friday, June 23, 2023
Page ID: 38325