Staff monitors multiple weather sources for a consistent forecast and plans operations.

Staff begins sanding operations for arterial and connector roads, sharp corners and steep hills.

Staff starts plowing operations of roads in priority sequence and clears snow in front of all municipally owned and operated facilities.

Once all roads have been plowed, and a minimum of 75 mm (3 inches) of snow has fallen at one time, staff begins clearing all sidewalks in a priority sequence.

Staff tends to any service concerns, as needed.

Winter Parking Information

Snow Removal Process

The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake may declare a significant weather event when the weather forecast or actual weather conditions meet certain criteria. 

Notification of a significant weather event:

In the event of a significant weather event, please check the following outlets for official information from the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake:

• The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake's website
• The Town's Facebook page 
• The Town's Twitter page 

Please note that these accounts are not monitored 24/7. Should you require immediate assistance, please dial 911. 

What is a significant weather event?

As per the Ontario Municipal Act, a municipality may declare a significant weather event when a weather hazard, either forecasted or occurring, has the potential to pose a significant danger to users of the roadways in which they have authority. 

This declaration suspends the standard timelines required for municipalities to meet their winter maintenance objectives. All roadways and/or sidewalks are deemed in a state of repair with respect to snow accumulation and/or ice conditions until the municipality declares the significant weather event has ended. 

In each case, during the course of a declared significant weather event, the standard for addressing winter maintenance is to monitor the weather and deploy resources to address the issue, starting from the time the municipality deems it most appropriate to do so. When the municipality declares an event has ended, standard timelines for winter maintenance activities then begin.

Conditions causing a significant weather event to be declared:

• Significant snow accumulation during a 24-hour period
• Ice formation that occurs without warning from the weather forecast
• High winds leading to blowing snow and large snowdrifts
• Freezing temperatures when deicing operations will not be effective

The declaration of a significant weather event is not a notice of reduced service levels or road closure. It is to notify the public that due to the forecasted or current weather conditions, caution is to be exercised when traveling on Town streets and sidewalks and that it may take longer than usual to restore the conditions back to a normal state of repair.

There are many constructed community ponds in Niagara-on-the-Lake. And while they look beautiful, they're actually stormwater facilities, and danger lies beneath.

A working stormwater facility reduces the risk of flooding in your neighbournood. Now this means water continuously flows beneath the top layer, causing ice thickness to be unpredictable and dangerous.

Even when the ice appears solid, it is not safe for walking, skating, or any type of recreational activity. Don't risk your life. Stay off stormwater ponds.

Stormwater Pond Safety Video

• Report any slippery or dangerous road conditions by calling 905-468-3266 from 8:30 am to 4:30 p.m. or reporting via our online Service Request Portal.

• Refrain from parking on streets during or after a winter storm event to allow for proper plow truck operations. 
• Pile all snow from your driveway and walkways on your property - not on the road. When clearing your driveway pile snow on the right side of your driveway if you are facing the street. This will help reduce the amount of snow pushed back into your driveway by a plow.
• Keep fire hydrants clear and accessible as in the event of a fire, gaining access could be critical.
• On your garbage day, place your garbage and recycling containers close to the edge of the road but not so close as to interfere with snow removal.

Please be patient. You can be sure that during a storm event, we are exerting our maximum effort to return road conditions to normal. Under severe conditions, it takes some time to get to all streets. If your street has not been plowed, please allow at least 24 hours after the snow has stopped falling before calling. Also please be mindful that Town plow trucks are responsible for Town roads and Regional snow trucks are responsible for Region roads. 

The plows are designed to remove snow from the road and deposit it on the boulevard. When you shovel your driveway, place the snow "downstream" (right side when facing the road) so your driveway won't be filled in the next time the plow comes by.

The priority of our work crews is to clear the traveled portion of the road. The only place to move the snow is onto the boulevard, which includes driveways. Unfortunately, snow left at the bottom of the driveway is unavoidable and the Town will not clear it.
 

Residential roads are plowed to center bare condition, meaning the plow will create one lane for vehicular traffic. 

On main roads, you may see the plow clear one side of the street before it is able to safely turn around and return to plow the other half of the street.

Residential roads are only plowed after main roads and designated secondary roads have been plowed. As a result, during severe and continuous snowfalls it may take longer to complete snow plowing on residential roads.

If you believe your street has been missed, please wait 24 hours after the snow has stopped falling before calling Customer Service at 905-468-3266.

Each truck is assigned to a specific route. The truck may be traveling to the beginning of a route to begin a sanding operation that is completed before plowing.

Privately owned lots and plazas are the responsibility of individual property owners/managers. If snow from a private lot is plowed onto a Town street, the property management company may be subject to a fine. To report snow piled on a street, contact Customer Service at 905-468-3266

The Town assists in clearing sidewalks after the storm has subsided, all roads have been plowed and a minimum of 75 mm (3 inches) of snow has fallen at one time. They are completed in a priority sequence.

In an emergency situation, you should always call 911 to access emergency services. If there is a winter control issue affecting your emergency situation, such as snow blocking road access for emergency vehicles, emergency services will contact the Town directly to resolve the issue.

Report damage from a snowplow to your private property by calling the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake at 905-468-3266.

 You need to report:

• Where you live
• A description of the damage

The Town does not replace or repair damaged landscaping items located within the Town's road allowance.

No, the Town does not do winter maintenance on any of the Trails and Tracks.

Snow and ice can be dumped onto the property in which the company has been hired to remove the snow and ice.

Maintenance companies hired by private laneways or property owners cannot deposit snow or ice onto the public roadway, or dump the snow or ice in a way that interferes with the movement of pedestrian or vehicular traffic. This is in alignment with the  Highway Traffic Act under Section 181.