What Happens To All The Snow That Cities Plow?
City residents collectively breathe a sigh of relief when they wake up to see snowplows have cleared their streets after a night of heavy snowfall. But it does lead to an intriguing question: where does all the snow go? The seemingly simple task of snow removal involves careful planning and execution. Also good snow removal in Cedar Rapids would want to deliver the best result they can give you. This article will delve into the journey of snow from city streets to its final resting place.
The Needed Steps of A Proper Snow Removal
The most effective method of removing snow typically involves three stages. And these removal stages are snow plowing, snow hauling, and snow disposal. Each of these removal stage involves coordinated efforts from city departments for a smooth and effective process to get rid of the obstructive snow.
The first step is plowing, in which snowplows push snow off the streets. This specific process does not entirely remove snow, but considerably reduces its volume and keeps the streets accessible. After plowing, the city often moves the accumulated snow to designated areas to prevent it from obstructing traffic and causing safety issues.
Also, in this stage, large snow blowers load the snow onto trucks that haul it to prearranged snow disposal sites. And after that, the last step involves safely disposing of the hauled snow. This procedure of snow removal varies between regions – typically depending on the local climate, environmental concerns, and available space.
Snow Disposal Sites and Techniques
- Snow Farms – Snow farms are open spaces designated by municipalities as temporary holding areas for snow. These sites are selected considering their environmental impact and the capacity to handle mass volumes of snow. The snow gradually melts over time, and the water drains away. Cities with large snowfall volumes typically resort to this snow disposal method.
- Snow Melting Machines – Cities with limited space often use snow-melting machines. These large devices speed up the melting process, converting snow into water quickly. The resulting water is then treated and released into the sewer system. This is a common snow disposal method in densely populated cities.
- Dumping in Water Bodies – Some cities resort to dumping snow in nearby rivers, lakes, or the ocean. However, this snow disposal method warrants extreme caution as road snow can contain debris, litter, and even traces of chemicals like road salt, which might harm aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, this method is subject to strict snow-related environmental regulations.
- Snow Dumping Sites – Lastly, in some cases, municipalities designate specific snow dumping sites where snow is piled up and allowed to melt naturally. These sites, like snow farms, are chosen with significant thought towards environmental impact and convenience.