ALBANY COUNTY — Seven of the eight municipalities that got funds last year from the Albany County Soil and Water Conservation District have completed their projects, Susan Lewis reports this week.

Funding, up to $40,000, was available for conservation projects that would protect the natural resources of Albany County and beyond.

Lewis, the district’s manager, provided these descriptions of the projects:

— Town of Knox

The town partnered with the county’s department of public works to stabilize an eroded bank of a steep slope on Street Road to limit sediments in the road ditch and culvert that drain to the wetland across the street. The Knox Conservation Advisory Committee constructed a plank walkway from Street Road to the existing wetland boardwalk. Erosion control fabric and stone were placed to help prevent erosion and protect the ecologically sensitive wetland area between Street Road and the boardwalk;

— Village of Voorheesville

A 1,000-square-foot rain garden was installed in Nichols Park to prevent excessive stormwater runoff from the sloped parking lot and tennis/pickleball courts from entering the Vly Creek;

— Town of Rensselaerville

An oil/water separator was installed in the highway garage to remove oil contamination from shop drains before the drains discharge to a roadside ditch. An 875-0foot ditch was lined to reduce erosion and decrease the unsafe depth;

— Town of Colonie

Accumulated sediment and new stone were used to stabilize approximately 85 feet of stream bank along a portion of the Sand Creek with an altered flow path. The project returned the creek to its original flow path and will help prevent further erosion and encroachment to the banks;

— Village of Ravena

Trees were planted in the village park and playground area to replace dead trees and provide additional shade. Culvert pipe was replaced to help alleviate flooding in the area of Pulver Avenue within the village;

— Town of Westerlo 

The Basic Creek Streambank that was eroded due to recent flooding in the town park was stabilized. This will decrease the amount of silt and sediment being deposited into the Basic Creek Reservoir; and

— City of Albany

The Albany Water Board, through its operating agreement with the city of Albany, completed the replacement of two culverts along the principal forest access road on the Alcove Reservoir forestland near Silver Creek. The undersized culverts were replaced with larger, elliptically shaped culverts, which were sized for a 100-year storm event. This will assist with transporting water and decreasing sediment deposition into the streams and the reservoir, as well as aid in aquatic species connectivity. These culverts carry tributaries that feed the source waters of the reservoir, which provides drinking water to the city of Albany and some surrounding communities.