Brownsville Canal Company

The Brownsville Canal Company was created in 1965 by a group of local citizens who wanted to use the water resource that was the Mill Race. The Mill Race was created to power the Eagle Woolen Mill that was located on Millhouse Street until it burned down in 1955. The Mill Race was established in 1853 by a partnership of the founding fathers of the City including Hugh Brown, James Blakely, James McHargue and Robert A. Johns who established Brownsville’s first manufactory, a flour mill. Special permission was granted by the territorial government to purchase right-of-way from Eliza Spalding for the installation of the Mill Race and forty-three (43) locals signed the petition citing, “the erection of extensive flouring mills and other machinery in the vicinity is needed to promote the public convenience, and develop the resources of an extensive agriculture region…” and, “[to] enhance the value of said lands.”

After the Eagle Woolen Mill burned down, the one-hundred-year-old Mill Race continued to function through a local volunteer effort. A non-profit known as the Brownsville Canal Company was formed in 1965 to properly manage and maintain the Mill Race for irrigation, flood control and livestock watering purposes. The articles of incorporation allow the Company to 1) water and canal privileges including flood control, irrigation, and livestock, 2) purchase real estate, 3) borrow money and other indebtedness instruments and enter into agreements & contracts, and 4) canal services and water shall be provided at associated costs on a non-profit basis. The Canal Company changed their bylaws through the years 1975, 1988 and 1991 but no revisions changed the purpose of the Company.

For years the Company ran as a "handshake partnership" between abutting property owners who utilized the Mill Race for watering livestock and flood control. The group also would dam the river in early June to create a swimming hole that was enjoyed by many for years. In the early 2000's, the Calapooia Watershed Council (CWC) worked toward removing the dam to enhance and restore the Calapooia river for salmon. The Company had no way forward other than to cooperate with the dam removal. The CWC along with several State & Federal partners removed the dam in 2008. The City of Brownsville worked with the Canal Company out of shear necessity for the continuance of the Mill Race to provide agreements for electricity and operation of the pumps that pushed water into the Mill Race. Over the last sixteen years, membership has nearly died out. Former Company President, John Holbrook, and a few others paid to maintain the liability insurance so the City would operate the pumps. Holbrook also granted permission for the City to enter his property to operate and maintain the pumps.

The taxpayers of the City of Brownsville have been subsidizing the operation ever since.

The time has come for a new model agreement to be considered for adoption. The Mill Race needs to be maintained in a manner that honors the historical function of this improvement.

The Brownsville Canal Company along with the City of Brownsville will be hosting two identical Town Hall meetings on Thursday, January 23^rd, 2025 and Wednesday, January 29^th, 2025 in the Community Room at City Hall at 7:00 p.m. All affected property owners are invited to come hear more about the proposed plan and associated costs.