Why do you sometimes salt instead of plow, or plow instead of salt?

Different types of storms require the use of different techniques.

  • The decision whether to salt or plow depends upon the predicted weather conditions. For example, if the temperature is below 20 degrees and not expected to rise, salt will not be effective. If the sun is shining and the temperature is 20 degrees or more and expected to remain steady or to rise, then salt would be more effective.
  • The decision whether to plow or salt is made with great consideration and based on the latest weather information available. Plowing under the wrong conditions can create a polished road surface, resulting in dangerous glare ice.

High winds can cause a precarious situation. Adding salt/sand to drifting conditions can seriously increase the buildup of snow and ice on a roadway making it more treacherous. At times, the best action would be to limit the amount of salt/sand as to prevent heavy drifting and snow/ice buildup. The decisions made by experienced crew and supervisory personnel are critical under these conditions.

Show All Answers

1. Which entity is responsible for my road?
2. My car got towed during a snow event, why?
3. How many vehicles and personnel are involved in snow removal?
4. Why is there a snow plow parked somewhere instead of plowing?
5. What can I do to support the county's plowing effort?
6. Can Lincoln County tow my car out of the ditch?
7. Why are gravel roads sometimes left unplowed?
8. Why can't you plow my road now?
9. Can I push my snow into the roadway for the snowplow to clear?
10. Can you tell me exactly when my road will be plowed?
11. Why don't the trucks plow and salt on the way to their routes?
12. Why do you sometimes salt instead of plow, or plow instead of salt?
13. I have a medical condition. Can you plow my road in case there is an emergency and an ambulance needs to get through?
14. When I called the Highway Department number to find out about conditions, the line was busy.
15. The plow hit my mailbox during the last snow event. What can I do? Who can I contact about this?
16. The plow was hitting my car with sand while I was following it. What can I do about this?
17. Why does the plow roll through a stop sign?
18. Why is the plow moving so slowly?
19. Why are the operators blocking intersections and roads to clear snow?