Resident cooperation during winter storms

Published on November 05, 2024

During the winter months, Los Alamos County’s Traffic and Streets Division works hard to ensure safe travel by plowing snow from designated streets and sidewalks.  To enhance the effectiveness of snow and ice control operations, the snow removal team would like to remind residents that they also play a crucial role in maintaining clear and safe pathways.  To support this effort, residents are asked to:

1. To clear sidewalks and driveways with 24 hours of the end of a storm.

2. Ensure areas for trash pickup and mail or newspaper delivery are accessible.

3. Avoid obstructing public streets and sidewalks by not depositing snow or ice from their property on these areas. Instead, residents should pile snow within their own private property.

One common misconception is that County snowplow operators intentionally deposit snow into driveways and walkways. In reality, this occurs due to the standard plowing practice of angling plows to the right to move snow from the centerline of the street toward the curb. This results in the natural formation of windrows, which can cause snow accumulation in front of driveways and on sidewalks. While operators strive to minimize this impact, eliminating it is not feasible while addressing storm conditions effectively. Residents should be aware that they may need to re-clear their driveways and sidewalks after their streets have been plowed.

The following suggestions are offered in the spirit of working together with the public, to simplify all snow and ice control efforts:

-      Park cars in off-street parking areas whenever possible. This allows for easier access by the snowplow operators and a more consistent and comprehensive snow clearing effort.

-      If it is necessary to park on the street, stagger parking to allow snowplows access to the area

-      If there is a drainage structure in front of or near the resident’s property, residents can assist crews by avoiding parking over it, and by clearing it to allow snow melt to reach the structure and avoid ponding in the area. Ponded water can re-freeze and cause hazardous conditions.

-      Unless significant accumulations are encountered (greater than six inches), residents are encouraged to wait until after the snowfall has ceased to begin shoveling. If snowfalls are greater than six inches, residents are requested to periodically clear sidewalks around their property to allow for safe passage of pedestrians. Where practical, property owners should clear sidewalks within 24-hours after the snowfall ceases.

-      In most areas it is to be expected that plowing operations will deposit snow in driveways and on sidewalks. To minimize this, place shoveled snow on the backside of the sidewalk. Direct the chutes of snow blowers and shovel snow toward lawn areas whenever possible, rather than toward the street. This will provide lawns with additional moisture and prevent that same snow from being plowed back onto surfaces previously cleared by residents.

-      Place a mixture of sand and salt on sidewalks with persistent ice.

By cooperating and adhering to these guidelines, residents can contribute to a more efficient and effective snow removal process, ensuring safer roads and sidewalks for everyone.

The County’s complete FY 2025 Snow and Ice Plan has maps of the sidewalks and streets which are prioritized for clearing. Additional clearing will begin only after emergency response has ended and mop up operations have begun.

Residents with questions are asked to call the County’s Traffic & Streets Division at (505)662-8113 or email us at lacpw@lacnm.us