Snow Removal

Winter in Iowa can be challenging no matter where you live. Rural county residents can be especially challenged when they need to travel.

Winter Road Maintenance Data

  • Black Hawk County operates 16 plow trucks on the paved roads and 9 motor graders on the gravel roads!
  • The average plow truck is responsible for clearing 16 miles of roadway. In a typical storm, it can take 3 hours to plow 2 lanes of a route.
  • The average motor grader is responsible for 57 miles of gravel roads. In a typical storm, it can take 12 hours to plow 2 lanes in a graders district.
  • Motor graders are typically sent out on the gravel roads for snowfalls 3” or greater.
  • During events with heavy blowing snow or large snowfall amounts, it may take 2 days to clear all the roads.
A snow removal truck in the snow

Snowplow Operations

When will you see the plows? According to the Black Hawk County Snow & Ice Removal Ordinance:

  • The normal operation hours of snow removal are from 5:00 am to 5:00 pm. 
  • Plows and graders may be called off the road due to poor visibility or conditions that are unsafe for the drivers.
  • Snow removal from driveways is the responsibility of the property owner.
  • It is not our policy to provide dry pavement.

 For more information, please view our Snow Removal Ordinance.

Street Snow Removal Hazards

Restoring access on gravel roads after a snowstorm is a slow process. Each motor grader covers 50-70 miles of road (or 100-140 lane miles). Progress will be slowed by wind-hardened or heavy snow. After a severe storm, it may take 2-3 days to reach all homes. A road may blow shut shortly after it is opened when windy conditions persist. Rural residents are encouraged to plan accordingly. Persons needing regular medical treatments are encouraged to lodge close to their treatment location when a storm might prevent travel.

When Cleaning Your Driveway

The Iowa Code prohibits the pushing of snow from yards and driveways across the road leaving deposits of snow on the roadway. Anyone who does this may be held liable for accidents caused because of the snow. In addition to being a County Infraction and a hazard, such piled snow on the road and snow pushed into the ditches can be the cause of future blocked roads because of blowing snow drifting beyond the pile.

A County Infraction under Iowa Code section 331.307 is a civil offense punishable by a civil penalty of not more than $500 unless it is a repeat offense for which the penalty is not more than $750.

The Black Hawk County Engineer requests your assistance in keeping our roadways safe and cleared of snow. Please comply with this ordinance.

Thank you for your cooperation in this very important matter.