Here are a few things to know about Snow Plowing in DW2 

Priorities: Main roads are plowed first to ensure access into and out of the community, and to keep the school bus routes clear.  After the main roads are cleared, the secondary roads will be cleared, and then the cul-de-sacs. Our snow removal contractor will normally make a good pass through the main roads, and then clear at least enough on secondary roads and cul-de-sacs to open then up.  Depending on the severity of the storm, the main roads may require more attention before the other areas can be addressed.  Long-time residents on secondary roads and cul-de-sacs tend to be more patient knowing that they will be plowed as soon as possible.  Plowing the primary throughways first also ensures that emergency vehicles can access the subdivision.

After ensuring accessibility for everyone, the snow plow contractor will widen the streets as much as possible at that time. Sometimes a day or two after a storm, they will further push snow back, and into people’s yards, if necessary, to ensure that we are ready for the next storm.

Right of Way: The District has a road easement that extends approximately 10-15 feet from the curb onto each homeowner’s property.  One of the functions of the easement is to allow us to push snow onto it for snow storage, allowing us to keep the roads as wide as possible.  When the roads get too narrow, visibility can be impaired and driving and walking it the subdivision can become quite dangerous. It’s also important that we keep roads wide enough to accommodate emergency vehicles.

Snowpack: The district rarely instructs our snow removal contractor to plow down to the pavement. Snowpack is a fact of a healthy winter here.  It is also generally safer to drive on. Once the snow begins to melt, the district will review the most beneficial time to get the contractor in to remove slush if necessary. Conditions can deteriorate from ice/snack pack to slush quickly. If you notice excess, you are welcome to reach out to Jane at dw@dgowest2.com to report the conditions so we can follow-up. Please note, with fluctuating temperatures becoming more of an issue, there may be slushy areas at times as the plow can’t be up here every day.

Stakes and Curbline: When we ask residents to put out stakes (no closer than 10 feet) along their curbline, it is to help the snow plow drivers know where the curbline is and to be as efficient as possible while removing snow and keeping the streets as wide as possible. The stakes will not deter the snow removal contractor from pushing snow into the road easement when it needs to be utilized for snow storage.

Speed: Typically, snowplow trucks go slow. Drivers do not generally over 10 mph.

The Dreaded Snow Windrow:  Sometimes residents believe they are getting more deposits of snow from the plow than others. A variety of factors can be at play here - including amount and type of snowfall and our subdivision having a mix of straight-a-ways, cul-de-sacs and bends in the road. See below for something you can do to help this situation.

If you have an individual concern, please feel free to contact the District Manager at dw2@dgowest2.com  or 259-3946.

Things you can do to help (to those of you who already do one or more of these, a big thank you!):

Snowblow/push/shovel snow from your driveway onto your own lot, not into the street.  Pushing snow into the street creates extra snow or slush in the street and can adversely affect driving conditions.  Pushing snow into the street can also result in yourself or the neighbor next in line getting some additional snow in their snow windrow from the added snow in the street. 

Snow blow or shovel a straight edge along your curb-line yourself in front of your yard. This could assist in both keeping district roads wide and possibly protecting your landscaping while also potentially reducing the amount of windrow the snowplow truck deposits in your driveway!

 Don’t Park on the Street  While parking on subdivision streets is prohibited any time, it is especially crucial that people observe this during winters like this. Snow plow drivers can come any time during the day or night, weekday or weekend. While they come during storms, they also come on blue sky days to clean up as well.

Remember that our contractors are doing the best they can under the circumstances and are not trying to make your life difficult. Please do not make theirs more difficult either. 

If you have an individual concern, please feel free to contact the District Manager at dw2@dgowest2.com  or 259-3946.