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1. What conditions warrant a Snow Event declaration?

A Snow Event is declared following a forecast of falling and/or blowing snow expected to accumulate at a depth of 1.5+ inches, and/or freezing rain, sleet, or other winter weather patterns resulting in hazardous roadway conditions. The city will terminate the Snow Event once weather conditions have improved.

2. How does a Snow Event impact parking on city streets?

When a Snow Event is declared, there is NO overnight parking on city streets between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. If plow operators encounter vehicles parked on city streets during a Snow Event, Elk River Police will be dispatched to ticket and tow, per city ordinance.

3. How long is a Snow Event in effect for?

The length of a Snow Event can vary, and it is lifted at the discretion of city staff members. The city will terminate the Snow Event once weather conditions have improved.

4. Is there designated Snow Event parking downtown?

Yes. 26 parking spots are designated for overnight parking during a Snow Event in the northern section of the King Avenue lot and 23 parking spaces in the lower lot (nearest to the Mississippi River) below businesses like Blue Egg Bakery, Occasional Fling Boutique, and Daddy-O's. View the map here.

5. How does the city notify residents of a Snow Event?

The city uses several methods of communication to notify residents of a Snow Event. Please sign-up, like, or follow, one or all of the methods listed below:

• City of Elk River "News Flash" (city website front page)
• CodeRED Emergency Notification System 
• Elk River City Government Facebook and Twitter 
• Elk River Police Department Facebook and Twitter
• City of Elk River “Notify Me” alert (through the city's website)
• Nextdoor

6. My car has been towed, who do I contact to locate it?

If you believe your car has been towed, please contact Collins Brothers Towing at 763-241-9177, or the Elk River Police Department at 763-635-1260.

7. Why do vehicles parked on the street impact plow operations?

It is vital for vehicles to not park on city streets during a declared Snow Event, as to allow plow operators to efficiently clear the city streets. A plow truck equipped with front and wing plows can extend out to 18 feet which allows for a typical residential street to be cleared curb to curb in a single pass in each direction. Vehicles, garbage cans, basketball hoops or other obstructions in the roadway require operators to maneuver around the objects resulting in potential collisions with the plows or damage as a result of the snow coming off of the plow blade. Additionally, these obstructions mean a portion of the roadway is not being cleared of the snow and ice which could result in a safety hazard to other vehicles or pedestrians.

8. Who do I contact if my mailbox has been damaged by a snow plow?

If you believe your mailbox was damaged during snow removal operations, please call 763.635.1120, or submit an incident report online here within 24 hours of the incident taking place. Please note, damage must be reported within 24 hours of the incident as city policy requires a Public Works employee to visit the site of the complaint in order to adequately survey the scene. Following the on-site survey of the scene, the plow operator responsible for the route that day is interviewed, and if the City of Elk River is determined to be at fault, staff will make contact with the homeowner and install a temporary mailbox. All temporary mailbox installations are documented throughout the winter, then when the ground has thawed in the spring, Public Works employees replace those temporary boxes with permanent, swing-away style mailboxes free of charge. If a resident prefers a different style of mailbox, they’ll be reimbursed $75 with proof of receipt of the alternate mailbox they purchased. In this case the resident will be responsible to install the mailbox themselves.

A few things to note - every year the city encounters its fair share of mailbox damage complaints that are the result of private plow companies hired to clear driveways and parking lots, as well as motorists who slide into residential boxes. When a plow makes contact with a mailbox, there are very obvious signs left including windrows from the plow blade, markings on the box or post itself, sod damage both near the damaged mailbox and upstream from it, among other things. The city does not take responsibility for mailboxes damaged by private snow removal contractors, motorists, or those damaged due to poor maintenance. It is up to the homeowner to ensure the integrity of the mailbox post. A strong, secure mailbox post will be able to withstand the snow being pushed off a plow’s wing during snow removal operations, however if the post is rotted at the ground (which is evident upon inspection as well), a gusty wind - not to mention a single pass of a snowplow - can easily result in a downed mailbox. 

9. What should I do with my trash/recycling containers if the streets are being plowed on my collection day?

Regardless of the time of year, trash and recycling containers are not permitted in city roadways. Homeowners should place containers behind the curb line in their driveway to prevent them from creating an obstruction in the roadway. Waste hauling vehicles are equipped with arms capable of reaching 5 feet or more beyond the curb line to secure the containers for collection. During snow removal operations it is important to keep your containers behind the city curbs to prevent them from being struck by the plow or knocked over by snow coming off of the plows.