Snow Removal

Snow Removal Policy
Pottawatomie County’s goal is to maintain roads in a passable driving condition for vehicles properly equipped for winter driving conditions. Motorists are expected to modify their driving practices in accordance with the road conditions.

It is not the policy of Pottawatomie County to provide a “dry” pavement condition or to provide snow and ice control services 24 hours a day.
Truck driving down a road covered in snow

Emergencies

If you have an emergency, call 911. The Sheriff’s Office will contact the Public Works Department to clear the way for emergency vehicles as needed.

Hours of Operation

Typical hours of operation for snow and ice control are from 4 a.m. to approximately 9 p.m.

Snow and ice control will be primarily focused on morning and evening commuter travel times.

During blizzard or white-out conditions, the county will not attempt to provide any snow and ice services until such conditions have subsided.

Level of Service

Type of Treatment


Hard-surfaced roads (asphalt and chip seal) will be plowed and treated with a salt and sand mixture with special attention at intersections, bridges, curves and hills.

When temperatures are below 20 degrees, salt has little to no melting effect on ice. It also freezes in the truck beds, making application extremely difficult at those temperatures.

Gravel roads will only be bladed with motor graders and will not be chemically treated. In extreme weather situations, some roads may be closed.

During a large snow event, our first pass may simply be to open a single driving lane. Once we have completed our first round, we will come back and widen out the roadways.

Priority of Treatment

During a snow or ice event, county roads are cleared on a priority basis.
  1. High-traffic paved roads
  2. Lower-traffic paved roads
  3. High-traffic gravel roads
  4. Lower-traffic gravel roads
  5. Earth roads 
Priorities will be influenced by requests from emergency responders, traffic volume and public safety.

Snow Disposal

During snow removal operations, the accumulated windrow of snow inevitably gets deposited on the right shoulder and / or ditch along the route. In extreme situations of heavy snow and prolonged cold weather, once roads have been deemed passable, it may be necessary to load and haul away snow from various roads and intersections.