MLWA: Looking At The Mirror, Nov. 2019
Lake-Friendly Snow Removal Tactics
By Sandy Edgerton Bissell
Here it comes, ready or not! That first blast of snow reminds us of the job ahead, four to five months of snow and ice removal. In recent years that has meant the use of a lot of salt on our roads and walkways, but we are learning the error of our ways as we become educated about the impact all that sodium chloride is having on our environment. At this point in time, road salt is the number one threat to Mirror Lake.
When the sodium dissolves and the chloride runs into the bottom of the lake, the resulting lowered oxygen level in the water threatens the health of the fish. Plants and wildlife that live on the periphery of the lake are also at risk. It is sobering to realize that the chloride level in Mirror Lake is 160 times the chloride level in lakes not affected by road salt. In the Adirondacks, only the Lake George watershed has a higher load of sodium chloride than the Ausable River watershed. Mirror Lake is a major contributor to the Ausable River watershed, not to mention the hub of our community’s economic engine.
Something has to change if we are to learn to get by with less sodium chloride on our roads and sidewalks. For the sake of our environment, but especially for Mirror Lake and its watershed, we need to rethink our approach to winter driving: allowing more time, taking more care, and bothering with winter tires. We need to work in tandem with the D.O.T. and our municipal highway department, all of us changing our expectations of reasonable, winter road conditions.
In the meantime, residents, property owners, business owners, and property managers alike can all start doing our part with that first significant snowfall by adopting snow removal methods that are kinder to our watershed.
The most important thing we can do is remove as much snow and ice as possible through physical means. That translates to plowing, shoveling, and snow-blowing, and the sooner the better. If snow is cleared before it is compacted by cars or foot traffic, the job will be that much easier. The downside is that this will sometimes mean shoveling or plowing more often and before the storm has passed.
Don’t forget, the sun is your friend. Even when temperatures are below freezing, the sun will help melt that snow and ice. Also, any exposed dark pavement will absorb heat and help loosen adjacent areas of snow and ice. Moving vehicles to take advantage of the sunshine and tackling snow removal while it’s still daylight are also smart strategies.
Once the snow and ice has adhered to a surface that needs clearing, an ice scraper or chopper is in order. If scraping doesn’t do the job, you can break the ice into chunks that can be moved aside.
If these best practices don’t do the job, as little sand as is necessary can be sprinkled on snow and ice-covered walkways. The dark color will absorb any sunlight, and the abrasive quality will improve traction. Come spring that sand should be collected because sand that accumulates in the lake is also detrimental to aquatic life. However, the sand can be recycled and used again the following winter.
For snow and ice removal, the very last resort always should be the sodium chloride, or rock salt, we have come to think of as our go-to. Due to the toxicity of sodium chloride, liquid alternatives are preferable because diluted forms allow application of smaller amounts. The next option would be the more expensive and slightly less effective, calcium magnesium acetate or CMA. Calcium and magnesium are easier on the environment than sodium and chloride, but should still be used with care near bodies of water.
In sum, for those of us committed to protecting Mirror Lake, other bodies of water, and our groundwater in the Mirror Lake watershed, there are no easy, environmentally friendly ways around shoveling, plowing, and snow-blowing. Hopefully, the commitment applies to all of us because where would our village and town be without a healthy Mirror Lake?
For this sports-oriented community, maybe we can get to where we think of shoveling snow as another form of physical fitness. A quick, online search supplies exercises to get in shape for shoveling, as well as proper warm-up and shoveling form. It may just be that the old ways are the best ways when it comes to snow removal. Do it for the fish, our economy, and your own good health.
Anyone interested in getting involved with the Mirror Lake Watershed Association is encouraged to attend our monthly meetings at the public beach house the second Monday of the month at 5 PM. Please visit our website at mirrorlake.net.
