Tahoe Production House just wrapped production on a snow removal video for the City of South Lake Tahoe. This year, they updated their regional plan and in efforts to push the messaging along, they wanted to create a video that was short, easy to digest, and outlined the rules needed to be followed for snow removal in the City Limits.
Here are some great snaps from behind the scenes –
SCRIPT:
VO: This is a message about Snow Removal brought to you by the City of South Lake Tahoe.
VO: Winter in South Lake Tahoe brings challenges for both residents and our City Snow Plow Drivers. Plow drivers need to clear snow off our streets as quickly as possible. Residents and visitors play an important role in the efficiency of snow removal operations. It’s important to follow these guidelines so that roadways can be plowed without delays!
Snow Removal Operations occur when more than three inches of snow has accumulated on roadways. Such snow conditions generally occur between Oct 15 and April 15.
During snow removal operations, City crews work to clear 260 miles of roadways. To ensure emergency access, main roadways and emergency routes are plowed first.
VO: Since snow can accumulate at any time, its best to park vehicles off the street at all times. Vehicles parked in the right of way during snow removal operations may be towed and are subject to a citation.
The right of way extends to residential property lines, which can be 8-10 feet beyond the edge of the roadway. All property, including trash containers and mailboxes, should be behind the property line.
VO: Facing the street, shovel or blow the snow to the right of the driveway. This will assist the snowplows in moving the snow down the road, rather than back into the driveway. Do not push snow into the street, open ditches, or drainage basins.
VO: Snowplow gates are not deployed when snow accumulation is more than four feet; berms will be formed along driveways in these conditions. Residents should clear their driveways daily. If you are away, have someone clear your driveway or berms will build up.
VO: Mark your driveway with snow stakes. Crews will do their best to avoid blocking driveways; but, this effort cannot be guaranteed, especially during heavy snowfalls.
VO: Clear snow away from hydrants to assist in fire response efforts! While this is not required, it is greatly appreciated.
VO: Remember, its important to follow these guidelines so that roadways can be plowed and made safe for our residents and visitors, and to ensure public safety vehicles have access to our homes and businesses when we need them most.
For more information, please visit the city’s website at cityofslt.us.
The City of South Lake Tahoe Snow Removal Information can be found here.
ABOUT CITY OF SLT SNOW REMOVAL
Snow Removal Safety
“Snow Safe” suggestions when snow conditions exist:
- City snowplows are deployed when an average of three (3) inches of snow have fallen (accumulated) on the ground citywide. When snow conditions, snowplows have the right of way on streets and vehicles left unattended in the streets are subject to citation and/or tow. The best policy is to keep your vehicle(s) parked off the streets at all times.
- Cars subject to citation and/or tow are those parked in the street right-of-way. The City right-of-way extends beyond the edge of the pavement to the property line, generally 5 to 10 feet beyond the edge of the pavement.
- The primary purpose of snow removal is to clear snow from streets for emergency vehicles, school buses, hospital entry, refuse trucks and all vehicle traffic.
- The City is asking that you keep all trash containers behind the berm, on your property. Improper placement of trash containers can result in damaged containers and/or snow removal equipment. This affects the level of service we are able to provide to the community.
- When shoveling snow from your driveway, shovel to the right as you face the street. This way, the plow will move the snow further down the road, rather than move the shoveled snow back into your driveway.
- Child Safety-please keep children indoors while snow removal operations are underway.
- Pedestrian Safety-Don’t watch snow removal operations from the edge of the road.
- Back Off – Keep a safe distance (40+ feet) when driving/standing behind snow removal equipment.
- Slow Down! – The maximum speed when chain controls are in effect is 25 miles per hour.
Snow Removal Facts
- The primary purpose of snow removal is to clear all streets for orderly movement for emergency vehicles, school buses, entry to the hospital, refuse trucks, and all vehicle traffic.
- Primary routes are plowed first when generally three (3) inches of snow accumulates throughout the city. Initially, one lane is plowed to create a travel lane throughout the entire route. Plows will return to continue to push the snow off the street. Please wait until they return for the final pass before contacting the city about any concerns regarding snow removal.
- Berms are a residual part of snow removal and there is now way to avoid berms. Please refer to city code 26-40.2. When snow removal occurs, so will berms. The size of the berm fluctuates depending on many variable conditions; number of driveways on the street, density of the snow, the amount of snowfall and snowdrifts to name a few. City streets range from 24-40 feet wide and all the snow that falls in the street must be displaced to the side of the streets. The wider the street, the more snow will be moved to the edge of the street. In addition, most parcels within the City have now been developed creating more driveways; more driveways prohibits less open space for snow storage. All snow is pushed to the side of the street as evenly as possible to all parcels. Wet heavy snow makes it harder to manipulate for the plow drivers and residents alike.
- Gates on the snowplows were installed to minimize the impact of the berm; however, they do not make berms disappear, larger amounts of snowfall equate to a potentially larger berm. The plow blade can only carry so much snow, when the blade is full, the snow flows around and over the gate and seeks the path of least resistance, which is usually the open driveways.
