Chelan County Public Works

With snow on the horizon this weekend in Chelan County, let’s talk weekend snowplow operations.

Many times, people confuse us with WSDOT. Not a problem. We enjoy our friends at WSDOT. But during the winter, the state plows its highways 24/7. We do not have the capacity (operators or funding) for that at Chelan County.

On the weekends, our five road districts each have 1 operator working. That operator is going to be focused on main arterials, or those Priority 1 roads that are traveled the most. If you live on a Priority 2 or Priority 3 county road, there’s a high likelihood you will not see a plow over the weekend. If you live on a primitive road or a private road, you won’t see a plow.

When there’s a need for increased snowplowing efforts, particularly during heavy snow events, then more operators are called in to work on the weekend. But for the most part, if you hear we have snow coming and it’s over the weekend, make plans to have extra resources at home, such as food and other essentials. And plan to see a county plow on Monday.

Our county is a beautiful one, with many people choosing to live out in those most beautiful, often remote spots. This winter, please check out what priority level road you live on: https://www.co.chelan.wa.us/public-works/pages/road-maintenance

NWS on winter driving: Consider it a sophisticated ballet on the asphalt, where your vehicle takes center stage. 🤣🤣

Dear esteemed residents of the Inland Northwest,

We would like to inform you of the impending visitation by an additional layer of snowfall this forthcoming weekend. We kindly suggest preparing oneself for the nuanced art of winter driving. Consider it a sophisticated ballet on the asphalt, where your vehicle takes center stage.

The brush drop-off yard is closed for the season at the Dryden Transfer Station. It just gets too wet at the station in the drop-off area, so we have to close it annually around this time.

The brush-drop off yard remains open at the Chelan Transfer Station. And brush drop-off is taken at Winton Manufacturing Compost Works near Leavenworth and the Stemilt Organic Recycling Center in Wenatchee. More details: https://www.co.chelan.wa.us/solid-waste-management/pages/organics-recycling

Remember, if you live in the Apple Maggot Quarantine area of Chelan County and need winter drop off, you will need to use the Winton facility. Our Leavenworth drop-off site also is closed for the season.

Crews were busy this weekend, with all 5 districts out plowing and treating roads. Lots of snow reported in the northern part of the county. Crews reported 10-12 inches of snow in Leavenworth, 12-15 inches in Lake Wenatchee and about 20 inches along White River Road.

This week, with rains forecast for most of the week, crews will be watching the weather carefully, monitoring for heavy runoff and snowmelt as well as clearing any drainages.

What can you do? Please monitor those storm drains and culverts near your property. If you see leaves covering drains, please remove them. If you need us, use our Report a Problem page: https://www.co.chelan.wa.us/public-works/forms/report-a-problem

When driving, watch for standing pools of water. Avoid driving through water -- you never know what's under that water.

County road crews were out in all districts this morning, cleaning up. Watch for the Traffic Safety Team, which was clearing snow from bridge sidewalks for the first time this season. (That's the Cascade Orchards Bridge on Icicle Road.)

We'll see wintery conditions thru the weekend. Give yourself extra time to get to your destinations, increase that space between you and the car in front of you, and if you come upon a snowplow give the driver room to groom.

The Wenatchee District is busy today getting the last of the plows on in anticipation of snow headed our way this weekend. The National Weather Service says late Thursday and into Friday we should start looking for the white stuff on the valley floor and definitely up in those higher elevations. We may even have winter driving conditions for our Friday morning commutes!

What are you doing to prepare for winter driving?

Happy Monday! While county road crews routinely watch the weather forecasts, we're hitting that time of the year when we become a little obsessive.

The National Weather Services says most of the week will be "quiet and dry." Expect to see the weather pattern change by end of the week, when a series of storms will bring multiple rounds of precipitation.

We'll watch and see what Mother Nature throws at us!

It's looking like county road crews will catch a break this Thanksgiving holiday, giving them rest and time spent with loved ones. If our chilly temps do cause any issues, we'll have a light crew on snow and ice patrol in those areas. But it's shaping up to be a wonderful weekend!

Chelan County Public Works wishes you all a happy Thanksgiving!

Headed out of town for the Thanksgiving weekend? Our friends at WSDOT have posted their Thanksgiving Weekend Travel Charts. The charts can be used when planning your trips across the state this weekend: https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/holiday-weekend-travel/thanksgiving-weekend-travel-times?fbclid=IwAR0Oa3i1IjQQUkOIaaX7MJGdKhDIhNJ5Wi4hCsyOiE6vJt2MJdgZtbahwbE

During these high traffic holiday weekends, give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination and rely on patience on the road. Have a safe Thanksgiving!

Leaves and other yard debris blown into the street can clog storm drains and create problems when it rains and snows. You can help by gathering up yard debris and properly disposing of it with WM or you residential service provider, or try transforming it into useful compost to add nutrients to your yard.

For more tips and information, visit the Wenatchee Valley Stormwater Program website: https://www.wenatcheewa.gov/wvstac

Why did the turkey cross the road? To prove he wasn't a chicken!

Chelan County offices will be closed Nov. 23-24 for the Thanksgiving holiday. Also closed those dates will be the Chelan County Moderate Risk Waste Facility and the Dryden and Chelan transfer stations.

Both the Dryden and Chelan transfer stations will be open normal hours on Saturday, Nov. 25.

Road Alert: Wapato Way in Manson, from Totem Pole Road to Pedoi Street, will be closed from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Why?

To celebrate our State 2B Volleyball Champions! Join in the champs' parade and congratulate the Manson Trojans! Way to go, ladies! 🥳🥳 Manson Schools

Road Alert: Horselake Road in Wenatchee closes tomorrow -- two weeks ahead of its scheduled annual winter closure. Recent rains have made the road muddy and slippery in places. So we are closing it ahead of schedule. The road will re-open on April 1.

Horselake Road, which leads to the Horse Lake Trails, is closed annually to protect the primitive road from damages and to protect wintering mule deer.

We are declaring it Snowplow Awareness Week here at Chelan County! This week, we'll be posting tips to consider when you come upon a county snowplow. Your county snowplow driver thanks you for your partnership in Chelan County.

In observance of Veterans Day, Chelan County offices are closed on Friday, Nov. 10. The Chelan County Moderate Risk Waste Facility also will be closed that day.

The Dryden Transfer Station will be open on Nov. 10; however, it will be closed on Saturday, Nov. 11.

The Chelan Transfer Station will be open its normal hours that Saturday.

Road Alert: Camas Creek Road Closure-Camas Creek Road, from milemarker 3.95 to 6.85, is closed until further notice due to severely muddy and slippery conditions. This section extends from the intersection of Taber Road (off of Brender Canyon Road) on the Cashmere side, up the windy section to the top just off the north side of the meadow. Travelers can still access the remainder of Camas Creek Road from US 97. County road crews will monitor road conditions and reopen when conditions improve.

Our county snow policies cover everything from snow wrinkles to stranded vehicles to keeping your neighborhood fire hydrant clear of snow. Please refresh yourself with the policies before we're deep into snow season in Chelan County. Download a copy on our website: https://www.co.chelan.wa.us/public-works/pages/road-maintenance

No. 2 Canyon Road Update: The contractor finished things up today and are moving their equipment out. They are removing the road closure signs as they leave. Feel free to head up and enjoy the much improved roadway!

November's Drop-Off Saturday is almost here! The Chelan County Moderate Risk Waste Facility is open Tuesday through Friday for drop off as well as the first Saturday of every month.

Drop-Off Saturday is Nov. 4. Bring your household hazardous wastes on by between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. For a list of what we take (and don't take) go to https://www.co.chelan.wa.us/solid-waste-management/pages/household-hazardous-wastes

The Chelan Transfer Station brush yard will be closed to the public this week October 30 through November 4th. A contractor will be grinding up the existing brush pile as well as cleaning up some other residual piles of rock and dirt. For the safety of the public, we will be closed through this Saturday and re-open Tuesday, November 7th.

No. 2 Canyon Road Update: Snow and cold temps have slowed progress this week so the contractor won't be finished today. If the weather cooperates we'll be able to remove the road closure early next week. There will be some final road grading work, hydroseeding and then hauling out all of the road equipment to call it complete.

Yaksum Canyon Road Update: The road stabilization was completed yesterday by the contractor. County crews plan to pave the lane back but asphalt availability is scarce with the season coming to a close. Tuesday looks to be the day we will have access to some asphalt and will finish this up. Thanks for your patience!

We have an opening at the Chelan County Moderate Risk Waste Facility for a Hazardous Waste Technician. Learn more about the position -- and how to apply -- on the county's job site: https://www.co.chelan.wa.us/human-resources/jobs

We say this constantly, but the MRWF is one of our FAVORITE county projects EVER. It's open to everyone in Chelan County and it is keeping those hazardous wastes out of our local rivers, water tables, soils and more. Consider joining the county team!

We do not take applications through Facebook. Learn more about the facility at https://www.co.chelan.wa.us/solid-waste-management/pages/household-hazardous-wastes

Yaksum Canyon Road Update: Work continues rebuilding the road, which is in the 3700 block of Yaksum Canyon Road. The contractor is making good progress, but this is slow-going work. Look for the contractor and our crew to be working into next week on this project.

Please stay away from the work zone if you can. If not, lower those speeds and obey our flaggers. Plan for up to 20-minute delays at times to get trucks in and out.

The Leavenworth drop-off brush site is expected to be open for brush drop off for the next three Fridays before closing for the season.

The site will be open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 27, Nov. 3 and Nov. 10. Cost is $20 per cubic yard, or a $20 minimum. The site is at the corner of East Leavenworth and Icicle roads.

The site will re-open sometime in March or April when it dries out from the snowmelt. Please remember that this site is highly weather dependent; it could close earlier this year if conditions at the site are too wet or under snow. We will try to stick to our plan of keeping the site open through Nov. 10.

The Leavenworth drop-off brush site is for those homeowners living in the Apple Maggot Quarantine area of Chelan County. As a reminder, Winton MFG Compost Works , which also services the quarantine area, is open year round on weekdays.

Be prepared -- we may see snow on the roads in the morning. Give yourself extra time to get to work or school in the morning.

Precipitation with the incoming storm system will have impacts on the morning commute for portions of the Inland Northwest. The image below gives an idea of the precipitation type expected Wednesday morning, and generally when precipitation types will be transitioning from rain to snow. Colder Canadian air will be moving in through the morning on Wednesday, which will result in a transition to snow. The northern valleys in northeast Washington to the northern Idaho Panhandle will predominantly see precipitation as snowfall. Then there will be a rain to snow transition over the northern Columbia Basin to predominantly rain from Moses Lake to Ritzville and points southward. Sub surface temperatures are still quite warm, which will make it difficult for snow to accumulate on the roads. The exception will be over mountain passes and in the east slopes of the Cascades where heavy snow rates will likely overcome the warmer subsurface temperatures for roads to become snow covered.

No. 2 Canyon Road Update: The contractor on this project is placing the crushed rock and hydroseeding this week. We hope to have the project finished by end of week; however, we have a weather system moving in. Weather can be construction's best friend, or worst enemy. Stay tuned on how the end of the week goes! (But isn't that primitive road looking fantastic?!)

Road Alert: Wapato Way in downtown Manson, from Green Avenue to Pedoi Street, will be closed noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28, for the Haunted Manson Block Party and Auction. Detours are available around the impacted area.

🎃 Don’t miss the PUMPKIN WALK this Saturday, October 28th from 12-4pm

Bring the kids! Pick up a map at the info booths downtown and get treats from select businesses in Downtown Manson!

Harris Court: Stormwater project finished up there this week!

The Wenatchee area project included abandoning an old dry well and replacing it with a new catch basin and 300 feet of stormwater conveyance pipe that connects into the city’s Western Avenue stormwater system. The project area then was repaved. This project was paid for with stormwater utility funds.

Work on Yaksum Canyon Road started this morning. Plan for road delays in the construction area (see map in earlier post) and obey those flaggers.

For Friday and the weekend, the work zone will be at one lane. Motorists should obey traffic signs, lower speeds and yield to oncoming traffic. Please be patient with one another if you will be on that roadway over the weekend.