‘Snow Deere’
courtesy of ‘Samer Farha’

My roommate and I were walking around the city yesterday in awe of the ginormous piles of snow across the city. It’s not looking like it’ll warm up any time soon, so what are we going to do with these HUGE masses of snow?

I had a chance to talk with a snow disposal specialist in Arlington who was directing snow removal efforts along Clarendon Boulevard. He had four dump trucks and a front end loader scooping up snow off the streets and loading into the truck. “Where do you take the snow?” I asked. “Well, there are locations across the county,” he told me. “We take the snow there and then there is a huge coil that melts it down into water.” Arlington County lists four snow holding locations: S. Clark St. site (just off Old Jefferson Davis Hwy), Future Long Bridge Park (also off Old Jefferson Davis Hwy), Virginia Highlands parking lot (off S. Hayes St. near 15th) and Barcroft #6 parking lot (off Four Mile Run Dr. near George Mason Drive).

Arlington County Environmental Services says, “The County’s snow melter can melt roughly 60 tons of snow per hour. The melted snow will drain into the County’s stormwater sewer system, much like stormwater runoff from a rainstorm.” Arlington says other factors will help speed up removal. “Mother Nature is also expected to aid in the effort as warmer temperatures and sunshine return.”

Katie

Katie moved to DC in 2007, and has since embarked upon a love affair with the city. She’s an education reform advocate and communications professional during the day; at night and on the weekends, she’s an owner here at We Love DC. Katie has high goals to eat herself through the entire city, with only her running shoes to save her from herself. For up-to-the-minute news and reviews (among other musings), follow her on Twitter!