Klamath Falls, Ore. – Klamath Falls has been hit with nearly two feet of snow over the past couple of weeks.
That has kept city street crews busy plowing over 150 miles of roadway.
Klamath Falls Street Division Manager Chuck Cox says each storm is a learning opportunity.
“We’re constantly practicing.” Notes Cox. “That’s what I tell my crews – another opportunity to practice for the ‘perfect storm’. I think they’ve done very well up until now.”
Cox adds that priority plowing areas are outlined in a city snow plan…’
“The hospital, schools, high country, again – the steeper roads and inclines – the business area downtown.”
Cox says crews have plowed over 4,400 miles in the city of Klamath Falls since the last series of storms began.
But, Cox still gets some complaints…
“You plugged my driveway. You buried by sidewalk. That’s one of the biggest ones.”
Cox says one of the most common questions is to why snow is piled up in the center of the road downtown.
“So that we can haul it off.” Explains Cox. “And haul it off in a more effective way.”
The center berms also allow for street side parking, and to keep storm drains clear.
Due to pollution concerns, the snow can’t just be dumped into the lake.
The snow is trucked to a location at the south end of Spring Street, not far from the City Street Division.
Klamath Falls gets about 40 inches of snow in an ‘average’ winter.
Around the clock plowing operations go into effect where there are 4 or more inches of snow on the ground, with more in the forecast.
You can learn more about the Klamath Falls snow plan, and the Street Division online at: www.klamathfalls.city/your-government/city-dir/works/streets
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