Snow and Ice

The City of Lawrence is back for round two of our annual snow plow naming contest, and we’re ready to add another clever name to our snow fleet. This time, there’s one key change: you — the community — will choose the winner.

How It Works This Year

The contest will happen in three phases:

Phase 1: Name Submissions – From October 20 to October 26, submit your most creative, witty, or downright pun-tastic snow plow name ideas through our online form here: Snow Plow Name Submission Form

• Keep it family-friendly.
• Do not use the names of City employees or City Commissioners.
• Avoid repeats from last year (sorry, Taylor Drift can’t win twice).
• Bonus points for local flair and clever wordplay.

At the end of this phase, City staff will review all submissions and remove any that are inappropriate, offensive, or duplicate entries.

Phase 2: Community Voting – The top name finalists will be announced on Monday, October 27. Then, from October 27 through November 2, Lawrence residents will vote for their favorite name using the name voting form on lawrenceks.gov/snow. That’s right — unlike last year, when a panel of City judges picked the winner, this year’s decision is fully in your hands.

Phase 3: Winner Reveal – We’ll unveil the winning name on Wednesday, November 5, on our City social media accounts.

Ready to name a snowplow? Submit your name idea using our online form.

"Taylor Drift" - 2024 Naming Contest Winner

In 2024, we launched our first-ever Snow Plow Naming Contest — and the community response was snow much fun! With more than 650 submissions, Lawrence residents brought their creativity and humor to the streets. When the voting wrapped up, one name rolled out on top: Taylor Drift!

Check out photos of our winning plow below and stay tuned each winter for your chance to help name the next member of our snow fleet.

Reviewing the Plan

The Municipal Services & Operations Department's Street Maintenance Division conducts a practice of the Snow and Ice Control Plan(PDF, 4MB) annually. Employees from Municipal Services & Operations inspect equipment, locate required gear, and travel assigned routes streets.

Readying the Plan

Routes follow a priority order from most traveled to least traveled streets. In general, winter operations progress from:

1. Arterials, high-capacity areas of travel such as Iowa Street or 6th Street
2. Collectors, low, to moderate-capacity streets that move traffic from local streets to arterials, such as Tennessee Street or Lawrence Avenue
3. Areas around schools
4. Local streets, such as residential streets and cul-de-sacs

The snow removal and ice control plan allows for 24-hour operations when necessary.

For more information, please contact Municipal Services & Operations Customer Service at (785) 832-7800.

How We Clear Snow and Ice

Snow plowing operations are generally not effective if there is less than a two-inch accumulation of snow. Crews follow the same routes for spreading sand and salt for icy conditions and small accumulations of snow.

Snow Plowing: Parked Cars and Driveways

When snow accumulations reach two inches deep, crews will begin to plow around cars that are left parked on the street. Persons should move them off the street prior to plowing operations or they will be responsible for digging them out.

A windrow of snow is left at the curb when city crews plow snow. Residents and businesses who need access to those drives will be responsible for removing the windrow after crews have plowed the street.

For more information, please contact Municipal Services & Operations Customer Service at (785) 832-7800.

Where to Get Snow Information

The city utilizes the following tools to provide information about snow operations:

• City News Emails
• Facebook
• X – @lawrenceks
• Hashtags - #kswx and #lawrencetraffic 

What is salt brine?

• Salt brine is simply salt dissolved in water
• Because the salt is dissolved there are no salt particles to bounce onto cars or roadsides; the salt that is applied to the roadway stays there
• Pretreating pavements is 300 to 400 percent more effective than waiting for the ice to form and then applying salt
• It also helps with isolated icy patches from many different sources; such as frost or water leaks

Why does the City of Lawrence pretreat its roadways with salt brine on a warm and/or sunny day?

• If there is a forecast for temperatures below freezing with a possibility of rain or snow
• Salt brine is applied before a snow or ice event; it can be applied any time before the precipitation begins, even several days before
• On a sunny day it quickly dries on the pavement and when dry will stay on the pavement for quite a while ready to be reactivated from moisture
• Re-applications are made whenever visual observations or weather indicates that another application is needed to prevent pavement icing
• Salt applications may still be needed depending upon the duration and severity of the snow / ice storm, however a brine treated roadway will normally not require an application until well after the storm has begun

Lawrence citizens should familiarize themselves with the snow and ice removal ordinance.

To make public sidewalks safe for pedestrians, the owner or occupant of property immediately adjacent to a public sidewalk is responsible for removal of any snow or ice accumulation on the sidewalk. Removal must be done within 48 hours after the ice forms or the snowfall ends.

If removal of ice is impossible, the property owner or occupant is required to place sand on the sidewalk within 48 hours.

If a property owner fails to comply with the ordinance and the Development Services Division receives a complaint, a citation will be written. Property owners will be fined $20 for each day the violation occurs, plus court costs if found guilty.

Ord. 8324 went into effect Dec. 20, 2008 and requires property owners to remove snow or ice within 48 hours of the end of a snowfall or ice accumulation.

Related: Please see the Safe Winter Walkways program for assistance options.

During snow events, residents can greatly improve crews’ ability to remove snow by not parking on certain roadways. If you live in an area highlighted in orange on this map(PDF, 272KB), please consider moving your car off of the roadway to allow snow plows to pass easily. This is not a mandatory step; just a request to make the process go smoother.

Be a Good Neighbor

Residents are responsible for the snow removal in driveways and maintenance of sidewalks adjacent to their properties. Think about neighbors and friends who do not have the ability to shovel snow from their own walks and drives. Let neighbors know ahead of time if you are willing to help. And remember, snow plows will create a blockage even after the drive has been cleaned.

Related: Get the Facts: Snow Removal Ordinance - Who is responsible for clearing sidewalks, streets and more

Trash Services during Snow and Ice Removal Operations

City crews will operate normal residential and commercial trash services as conditions allow. If conditions become too hazardous to crews and equipment, operations will be suspended until the following day. In commercial areas and parking lots, owners need to remember not to block enclosures when having the lots plowed, or crews will not be able to empty containers.