This article is from the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council, our intermunicipal organization consisting of the chief elected officials of the 14 watershed and water purveying municipalities, working together to maintain and enhance the high water quality of the Canandaigua Lake watershed.
After two years of mild winters, we certainly saw our fair share of snow and ice this season. While we all appreciate the winter wonderland, the challenges of keeping our roads safe can have impacts on the environment, particularly when it comes to road salt. But there’s good news – the Town of Canandaigua highway department, under the leadership Highway Superintendent Jim Fletcher, have been taking action to protect both road safety and the health of Canandaigua Lake.
The Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council (CLWC) identified road salt reduction as a strategy for protecting the long-term health of the lake and secured funding through a New York State grant to implement a Sustainable Winter Road Maintenance Program. This pilot program directly addresses rising chloride levels in Canandaigua Lake, which have doubled since the 1990s, according to research by retired Finger Lakes Community College professor Dr. Bruce Gilman. This increase is largely attributed to road deicing operations, with road salt persisting in the watershed for long periods. Over time, this can harm water quality and disrupt aquatic life, making salt reduction an important tool for lake protection.
Three local municipalities—the City of Canandaigua, Town of Canandaigua, and Town of Gorham—are leading the way in the Sustainable Winter Roads pilot program. The initiative aims to enhance road safety during winter weather while minimizing impacts on water quality. Highway superintendents and the watershed team worked in coordination with experts at the Cornell Local Roads Program and also researched nationwide programs – including the Minnesota Snow and Ice Control Program – to develop a pilot program tailored to the Canandaigua Lake watershed. 
Enhancing Technology to Keep our Roads Safe
Maintaining our roads during winter isn’t as simple as just hopping into a truck and hitting the road. Our highway crews are using advanced technologies to precisely track the amount of salt applied, adjusting for changing weather conditions. These tools help ensure roads stay safe without over-salting, benefiting both residents and the environment.
The Sustainable Winter Roads Maintenance Pilot Program has allowed the Town of Canandaigua’s plow trucks to be equipped with the following new technologies:
-React Blades: Segmented blades that adapt to changing road surfaces, scraping snow and ice closer to the pavement than traditional plow blades, which helps reduce the need for additional salt.
-Weather Stations, Video Cameras, and Road Temperature Sensors: Advanced monitoring systems that provide real-time insights into road conditions, enabling more accurate decision-making for salt application.
-Software and Calibration Systems: Tools that allow operators to track key data such as road conditions, temperature, and salting patterns. The software helps monitor salt usage, ensuring precise applications and reducing environmental impact.
These tools allow municipalities to adjust their strategies for varying weather conditions, ensuring that roads are kept safe without over-applying salt.
Road Salt Reductions in Real Time
Thanks to the new technologies, the impact of the pilot program can be tracked and quantified. Early results show that the Town of Canandaigua has reduced its salt usage from 450 lbs. per lane mile to just 325 lbs! The Town of Gorham has achieved a similar reduction, from 600 lbs. to 350 lbs. These reductions not only improve watershed health but also lower municipal costs due to more efficient salt application.
More to Come
Additional technologies and methods are being considered for the future, including a pre-wetting system that reduces scatter on the roads, ensuring salt stays where it’s needed. Pre wetting also allows snow and ice to melt more quickly, reducing the need for further salt applications.
The Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council extends our thanks to Jim Fletcher and our dedicated Highway Department staff for their commitment to keeping our roads safe while taking proactive steps to protect the health of Canandaigua Lake.)