One of the many perks of North Idaho is the four defined seasons we get to experience every year. Spring brings us flowers and sunshine, summer brings us long days full of adventure, in fall we watch the leaves change, and in winter we enjoy a multitude of snow sports. The challenges of winter, though, include walking and driving conditions.
To combat snow and ice, the City of Coeur d’Alene has an annual snow plan, approved each year by City Council, that sets the standard for snow removal based on temperature and snowfall forecasted. The snow plan and a snowplow status map can be found on the City’s website. For icy conditions the City uses deicers made at their own brine center. This facility allows the City to mix their own deicing solutions to meet their needs and also provide it to neighboring cities, the county, North Idaho College, and the school district. The City also works on ways to minimize use, saving taxpayer money and protecting our cars, roads, sidewalks, and water bodies from the potential effects of deicers.
While the City takes care of our roads and highways, the citizens of Coeur d’Alene are responsible for their sidewalks, walkways, and driveways. Many turn to common salt deicers to help clear these ways and make them safe for pets and people to walk on. Did you know that many of these deicers can have a negative impact on environmental health and water quality? Like everything that ends up on our streets and paved surfaces, deicers find their way into our waterways via stormwater. Once snow melts that water is washed down our storm drains and eventually to our water bodies. This presents another opportunity for residents and business owners to make wise decisions on behalf of our beautiful waterways.
According to the Minnesota Stormwater Manual, high levels of chloride (found in deicers and salts) can lead to oxygen depletion in water, and low water oxygen levels can be detrimental to fish and other aquatic life. Chlorides can also impact soils and the terrestrial plants growing in them, including lawns and landscapes around homes and businesses. Household deicers are also known to be corrosive and can damage your sidewalks and driveways over time.
We all know for our community’s safety, addressing icy areas is essential. Luckily there are a few tips that can help to reduce the amount of deicers needed and, where necessary, minimize their negative impacts. Follow the guidelines below for safe walking and a healthy lake this winter.
- Remove snow early and consistently to prevent compaction that can form ice.
- Use ice chisels or ice scrapers to break up the big ice.
- If temperatures drop below 0 degrees Fahrenheit most deicers don’t work well; use sand for traction instead.
- When using sand, sweep up and reuse when possible. This saves money, too!
- Use no more than four pounds of deicer for every 1000 square feet. Note: The average parking space is 150 square feet.
- One pound of salt is equal to about one 12-ounce coffee mug.
- Don’t buy deicer that doesn’t list ingredients.
Signs you are using too much deicer:
- Piles or clumps of it; the deicer should be using sparingly.
- Nearby plants brown or dying.
- Rust on garage doors or metal around areas of application.
- Concrete breaking, chipping or cracking.
By using some of these tips, we can have safe walkways and driveways while doing our part to ensure we are protecting water quality in our treasured Idaho waterways.
References:
https://www.cdaid.org/601/departments/streets/snow
https://www.army.mil/article/162331/De_icing_impacts_local_water_quality
https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/effects-deicing-salts-landscapes
