Is there a way I can remove certain users ability to create or delete albums?

I have a website with multiple users who each require access to just one album, but they keep either a) accidentally deleting albums and losing their work, or b) creating sub-albums, which don't display well within my theme.

Can I disable creating/deleting albums for specific users?

You can remove the manage rights from user accounts.
http://www.zenphoto.org/screenshots/zenphoto-admin/user-account.jpg.html

Correct me if I am wrong, but if I remove their manage rights, won't that prevent them from uploading new images to their assigned album?

They need to be able to upload to a specific album, but not delete that album or create sub-albums within it.

If the upload right is checked they should be able to upload but not to do anything else.