For County Graders, the priority will be to plow all weather (gravel) county roads, in the most efficient, economical, and fair method possible, as determined by the grader operator.

NORMAL CONDITIONS

Definition: Normal Conditions - Less than Eight Inches (8") of snow in the Grader Operators area and winds less than 25 km/hr (15 Mph)

• Normal snow removal operations will proceed as soon as snow ceases to fall and as soon as it is safe to do so in the opinion of the grader operator in the area. This is to eliminate numerous passes on previously plowed roads, and reduce fleet fuel consumption.
• Normal snow removal operations will proceed as per the "Snow Plowing Guidelines".
• Grader Operators are to open up roads in the most efficient configuration for their area keeping in mind plowing priorities, fuel consumption, and minimal high blade travel. It takes generally 4 - 5 days for the Grader Operators to open up all of their roads. The Operators begin in a new area each time to ensure fairness.

ADVERSE CONDITIONS

Definition: Adverse Conditions - Greater than Eight Inches (8") of snow in the Grader Operators area and/or winds greater than 25 km/hr (15 Mph)

• Snow removal operations in Adverse Conditions will proceed as soon as it is safe to do so in the opinion of the grader operator in the area.
• Snow removal operations in Adverse Conditions will proceed as per the "Snow Plowing Guidelines" and making them only passable.
• Salt and sand applications on paved roads as needed.

Residents are reminded that it may take up to 5-7 days before all roadways are plowed under normal snow fall conditions.  All residents should be prepared with your Basic Emergency Kit.

Camrose County has snow plow trucks dedicated to plowing and sanding paved roads. After a snow event the trucks will plow these roads.

Camrose County has snow plow trucks dedicated to plowing and sanding paved roads. After a snow event the trucks will plow paved rural County roads and then paved hamlet roads. All hamlet roads will be plowed within 5 business days of a snow event. 

Camrose County will plow driveways on a fee for service basis, but are not available on a “on-call” basis. If you are in need of immediate assistance, please click here to find a list of private snow-removal contractors: Camrose Directory Residential Snow Removal List. 

The County will clear driveways at a cost of $60.00 per time (2023 rate) when graders are in the area.  Residents who wish to purchase driveway plowing can do so by completing the online request form or by contacting the Public Works Department at 780-672-4449. 

Windrows, ridges, and stockpiles of snow refreeze and become hazardous to the travelling public and the grader operators as they attempt to push them out of harms way.  

Please use the diagram below as a guide for snow removal from rural approaches and driveways.

With snow removal taking up to 7 business days, residents are encouraged to have a basic emergency kit prepared. The Government of Canada recommends purchasing or putting together a kit of the following items below.

• Water – at least two liters of water per person per day. Include small bottles that can be carried easily in case of an evacuation order
• Food that won’t spoil, such as canned food, energy bars and dried foods (remember to replace the food and water once a year)
• Manual can-opener
• Flashlight and batteries
• Candles and matches or lighter (remember to place candles in sturdy containers and to put them out before going to sleep)
• Battery-powered or wind-up radio (and extra batteries)
• First aid kit
• Special items such as prescription medications, infant formula and equipment for people with disabilities
• Extra keys for your car and house
• Some cash in smaller bills, such as $10 bills (travelers cheques are also useful) and change for pay-phones
• A copy of your emergency plan and contact information.

For more information please visit -  http://www.aema.alberta.ca/documents/72hrEMPreparedness.pdf

Bringing edges in spring

Each spring it is generally accepted that with the thawing of the frost in the ground, in conjunction with the varying amounts of precipitation that can be received, the unsurfaced gravel road structures tend to become soft and sustain some relatively high wear and tear compared to other times of the year.  Part of this wear and tear is that the soft material gets pushed out from the center of the road towards the edges/shoulders of the road.  During spring blading, part of the focus of Maintenance Grader Operators is try and bring that material back towards the middle of the road.  In essence, a miniature “shoulder pull” every-time a Maintenance Grader Operator blades a road.  This action, in turn, leads into the next primary point of focus; Rebuilding Crown.

Rebuilding crown
A desirable crown in Camrose County is a 3-4% grade from centerline to shoulder on rural gravel roads. This is only achieved by continually having the Maintenance Grader Operators cut road material (clay/sand/gravel) towards the center of the road. In contrast to the direction of blading during the winter months, where all snow/ice is directed towards the ditches; during summer, all material is brought towards the middle of the road. While it can sometime lead to soft/muddy conditions near the center of the road in the short-term due to this unconsolidated material, this work is imperative to ensure that proper drainage and overall road performance can be achieved.

Keeping the grass back
Another focus of the Maintenance Grader Operators during Regular Grading Operations in the summer is the attempt to keep grass and vegetation growth off of and as far back on the road surface as possible. All growth that occurs along road edges is counter-productive to maintenance for two (2) reasons. Firstly, this vegetation will not only prevent the road shoulders from draining moisture off the road, but it also holds and prevents the road shoulders from drying out adequately, which in turn creates soft road shoulders. Secondly, when this grass & vegetation gets larger and the Maintenance Grader Operators attempt to “cut” it with their grader moldboard, it tends to roll up and pile into clumps mixed with gravel either in the middle, or along the edges of the road. These “lumps” can create a significant safety hazard for motor vehicles, in addition, to being aesthetically unpleasant on an otherwise well-maintained road.

Cutting and sloughing (alternate sides)
In Camrose County, a 2-pass procedure is the typical approach for Maintenance Grader Operators on standard rural gravel roads. What this means is that a gravel road is considered “maintained” when a County grader has bladed in each direction on that roadway one time. On the first pass, the Maintenance Grader Operator will “cut” material from one edge and primarily bring it towards the center of the road. On the second pass (typically going in the opposite direction), the Maintenance Grader Operator will “slough” material from the center of the road across the un-cut side, spreading material from the first pass across as much of the road as possible. In turn, this results in a standard 2-pass road only being “cut” hard on one side of the road. The next time the Maintenance Grader Operator comes through an area, they will alternate the sides on which they “cut” and “slough”. In performing this method of maintenance, three specific priorities are achieved:

• All roads within the grader beat can be covered in a timely manner limiting occurrences of unchecked poor-condition roadways.
• Loose material on the roads is reduced which in turn dramatically helps with washboard during periods of dry weather and muddy conditions during periods of wet weather.
• Optimal grader efficiency is achieved in that no unit should have to run empty between roads (i.e. the grader can maintain road on the way out and on the way back).

It can be observed that other Counties and MD’s will utilize different practices in this regard in that a 3 or 4-pass method may be utilized, but Camrose County Public Works administration has observed that the 2-pass method is the only way to accomplish the three (3) objectives noted.

During the summer months Camrose County will perform the following as required on County paved roads:

• Crack Filling
• Line Painting
• Ditch mowing

During the summer months Camrose County will perform the following as required on County paved roads:

• Crack Filling
• Line Painting
• Ditch mowing

Maintenance of laneways will be provided at the land owner's request (online Grading Request Form).  There will be a charge of $60 per service.  

• All regulatory traffic control signage will be inspected at least once annually.
• Councilors and County employees will watch for and report any signs that have been damaged, removed, or have obstructed vision from growth of grass, bush, etc.