Plentiful winter weather depletes road salt supplies

This has been one of our old-style winters with lots of snow and at times high winds. Locals complain of the inconvenience of it all: slippery roads, poor snowplow service, and high heating bills from the subzero temperatures.

Yet we can go back to other winters such as the winter of 1940-41 and the famous Armistice Day storm. In this photo from Lila Kaski Schwoch of Barnum, the Carlton County snow removal truck of the period, a powerful but slow Oshkosh truck with cables running the front plow blade and the wing, is stuck in a typically deep snow drift, requiring the two operators to hand-shovel themselves out.

Some areas of the county were snowed in for a week to 10 days, and could get supplies only by skis or snowshoes. Locals would set out to visit their neighbors by following along the crest of the snow banks, gloved hands holding onto the telephone line.

So maybe this year's winter isn't so bad. Still, a February dominated by heavy snowfalls, breaking records as old as 80 years, has left snow in the deep woods at depths between four and five feet.

County plows and graders have been out more than usual moving snow or treating highways during ice storms.

"The severity of the winter has created a salt shortage in the region," reported county engineer Jin Yeene Neumann at the Carlton County commissioners meeting last week. "We have received 80 percent of our salt deliveries from our supplier in Duluth and it is unknown if we will get the last shipment."

Cloquet is also low on salt, but has options, according to public works director Caleb Peterson.

"Obviously been a harsh winter," Peterson said. "I wouldn't say we're in trouble yet; that will depend on how late winter plays out."

Peterson said the city will likely use up the 500 tons of salt it purchased through the state, and then some. He explained that the agreement with the state allows the city to order an extra 20 percent if needed, for a reserve of another 100 tons.

Road salt is normally mixed with fine sand before being spread out onto the local roads. For some time, less salt has been mixed in, to reduce salt run-off into our rivers and streams. Studies have shown that road salt affects our region's water.

"It is now late winter and with a little bit of luck we will have enough salt for this season," said county road foreman Rick Norgaard, who noted that sand provides only traction, while handling icy roads requires salt and sunlight.

What is the solution if the salt reserve is used up?

"We have one option - use all sand," Neumann said. "One impact of this shortage is that next year I suspect the bid prices on salt will rise."

Pine Knot News editor Jana Peterson contributed to this story.