Snow Removal
Iowas annual snowfall is 32 inches. Everyone knows how even a light dusting of snow can affect driving conditions. Ottumwa transportation network has approximately 170 miles of streets, serving the residents, business and industry of our community. Keeping Ottumwa on the move is a top priority. We take a serious approach to snow and ice control for all of Ottumwa.
Clearing snow from winter storms is a big operation. The City has a fleet of 9 snow plows ready to roll with big blades and salt/sand spreaders on the back. In addition, we utilize 3 pickup trucks equipped with snow blades for clearing smaller areas and tight places where the big plow trucks can't go. The Park Department has a tractor and numberous snow blowers for clearing City properties.
We closely monitor the weather through the winter, and when snow is in the forecast, we begin preparations for clean up. Plow trucks are prepared for service and personnel are notified of the pending storm.
When a major snow hits, our primary focus is keeping the major routes through town open. This allows essential and emergency travel around town even in the worst of conditions. Our crews keep working through the duration of the storm. When a plow driver pulls into The Central Garage for a shift change or break, mechanics are on hand to quickly service the equipment and get it ready to head back out.
With this major effort going into keeping the snow routes open, we don't work much on the side streets and residential areas until the snow quits falling. But once the snow stops, we consistently have the majority of Ottumwa's streets cleared within 24 hours. Every winter storm is different, and often we face unique challenges with each one, but we are proud of the work we do to keep Ottumwa's streets clear.
Snow Ordinance
The City of Ottumwa has a snow emergency code, which designates certain streets as snow emergency routes (list below.) When the weather conditions warrant, the City Engineer/Public Works Director shall declare a "snow emergency." The declaration will be announced between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. and goes into effect two hours after the announcement. Persons parking in retail shopping areas will be given extra time to finish business, if necessary.
Once in effect, there will be no parking allowed on either side of the snow routes until the emergency is lifted. Parking on non snow emergency routes where vehicles are allowed to park on both sides or just one side of the street, the following parking policy will be as follows. On the even numbered days of the month, parking will be allowed on the even numbered side of the street. On the odd numbered days of the month, parking will be allowed on the odd numbered side of the street. Drivers can begin moving their cars to the opposite side of the street at 7:00 PM to comply with the side designated for the next day.
List of the Streets Designated Snow Routes
Albia Road (Ferry to Skyline Dr.) Alta Vista (N. Court to College entrance)
Carter Ave. (N. Court to Elm) Chester (5 corners to Johnson)
Church St. (Market to 5 corners) Court (Fourth to Hwy. 63 N.)
Ferry (Intersection 34-63 to Mary) Finley (Shaul to Madison)
Fourth (Iowa Ave. to McLean) Green (Fourth to River Dr.)
Greenwood (Ferry to Skyline) Iowa Ave./Morrell Dr./Elm (Hwy.34-Alta Vista)
Jefferson (Cook to Alta Vista) Johnson (Greenwood to Finley)
Madison (Bardell to south city limits) E. Main (Court to east city limits)
W. Main (Court to McPherson) Marion (Main to Fourth)
Market (Fourth to River Dr.) Mary (Hwy.63 to Shaul)
McKinley (Finley to Albia Rd.) McLean/Woodland (Gateway Dr. to N. Court)
McPherson/Park Blvd. (2nd to Court) Milner (Richmond to south city limits)
E. Pennsylvania (Court to east city limits) Quincy (Albia Road to Blackhawk)
Richmond (Church to Ferry) River Drive (Washington to Market)
E. Rochester (Hwy 63 to city limits) W. Rochester (Hwy 63 to Sycamore Road)
Second (Forrest to Iowa Avenue) Shaul (Mary to Finley)
Sheridan (Church to Mary) Skyline Drive (Albia Road to Chester)
Vanness (Court to Elm) Vine (Madison to the 5 corners)
Ward (Church to Mary) Washington (Main to N. Court)
Wildwood (Albia Road to Hwy. 34) Williams (Shaul to Madison)
STALLED OR ILLEGALLY PARKED VEHICLES DURING SNOW EMERGENCY:
The police department will have stalled or illegally parked vehicles towed and impounded and a citation will be issued and fee charged for towing and impoundment.
DEPOSIT OF SNOW ON CITY STREETS:
Persons shall not remove snow and/or ice from private property and deposit on any public street, alley or sidewalk. If this occurs, the Police Department will issue citations.