Frequently Asked Questions

When two or more inches of snow have accumulated, snow and ice control operations move from salting to plowing the snow to the sides of the street. In most cases, plowing operations begin between 12 AM and 4 AM; the exact time depends on the predicted start of the snowstorm, intensity of the snowfall, and when the snowfall is expected to end.

No. The City is responsible for most roadways, but does not plow Washington County roads, Minnesota State Highways, or private roads.

The City is divided into seven individual areas, each of which are arterial or collector streets. These streets are plowed first. Residential streets and cul-de-sacs are usually last to get plowed, since it is anticipated that by plowing collectors and arterials first, motorists will only have two or three blocks to travel before they arrive at a plowed street.

View Oakdale's snow plow routes map (PDF)

Although all are important, the first priority is removal of snow from the City’s street system. As a result, a majority of the City’s resources are committed to this activity. At the same time, however, minimum resources are directed to the removal of snow from sidewalks, trails and ice rinks. Since the amount of personnel and equipment working on these is much smaller, it takes more time to complete the snow removal operation.

View Oakdale's trail plow routes map (PDF)

Plowing snow in cul-de-sacs is difficult because of the way driveways are situated. As much as possible, plow drivers try to plow snow away from driveways and deposit it in the center or open areas.

During heavy snowfalls, snowplowing is accomplished in three separate operations:

• The first pass is intended to provide an initial access path.
• Full-width widening can occur several hours later after all streets have received a first pass.
• Final cleanup occurs the next day and provides for intersection cleanup, salting, and plowing where “vehicles” were parked.

Homeowners are responsible for clearing out their own driveways.

No, with more than 1,900 fire hydrants in the city, it’s impossible to remove snow from around all of them. Residents are asked to “adopt” a hydrant and clear the snow away from it to keep it accessible in case of a fire.

Unfortunately, plow drivers can’t plow around or set up containers that are knocked over. Residents are requested to set out recycling containers and garbage cans on the driveway behind the street curb line.

Properly installed mailboxes that are accidentally toppled by the blade of a snowplow will be replaced by City crews as soon as time and weather allow.  The City will not repair mailboxes damaged by the force of snow coming off the plow.   Please report damage by calling 651-730-2740.

The City will repair grass damage that results from its snowplows, but does not repair sprinklers, fences or any private improvements installed in the right-of-way. Mailboxes that are physically hit by City snowplows will be repaired but will not repair mailboxes damaged by the force of snow coming off the plow. 

Damage to mailboxes, sprinklers and other private improvements within the right-of-way will be assessed by the Street Superintendent to determine if the City is responsible for restoration. 

Residents can report these types of damage to the Oakdale Public Works department at 651-730-2740. Please note, grass repairs are usually made in May and June through the use of topsoil and seed. The City will provide sod to property owners who want to do their own repairs.

No. City ordinance and state statutes require that snow be placed on the right-of-way adjacent to the closest property.