DES MOINES, Iowa – With Winter weather in the rearview mirror, Des Moines Public Works has its final numbers for the 2020/2021 snow removal season. Despite receiving over 150% of the 10-year average for snow in Des Moines, the Public Works Department still came in under budget. The department spent $2.1 million or 66% of its $3.2 million budget for the season because of the bulk of snow falling in fewer, but larger storms.
“It’s really rewarding to look back at the massive effort put in by over 200 City employees,” Des Moines Public Works Director Jonathan Gano said. “These numbers really put into perspective the scale of the job our employees were tasked with this winter in keeping Des Moines’ roads safe. It takes a lot of hours and manpower, and I’m proud of the dedication that was shown this winter.”
Gano says once Winter weather is past, his Streets Division is focused on pothole repairs and road improvements through the spring, summer and fall, but the team always keeps an eye toward next winter’s snow removal efforts.
“We always take time during the summer to evaluate our snow removal operations and see what we can do to be prepared for next winter,” Gano said. “Snow removal always is a massive part of our jobs at Public Works in Des Moines, and it’s important that we are as prepared and efficient as possible so we can keep Des Moines moving all winter long.”
Snow Removal By the Numbers:
- 55.8 Inches of snowfall recorded (153% of Des Moines’ 10-year average)
- 200+ Employees from Public Works, Parks and Recreation and WRA are called into snow removal duties
- 100+ Pieces of snow removal equipment
- 18,879 employee hours spent plowing and spreading (that’s two years worth of time)
- A minimum of 35,227 miles driven by Des Moines plows (more than enough to circle the world which only takes 24,901 miles)
- 9,508 tons of salt spread (Nearly as much as the Eiffel tower weighs which is 10,100 tons)
- 10,264 parking citations issued during snow removal operations
- 320 citations for sidewalk snow removal non-compliance issued
