The SROA Public Works Department has a fleet of snow removal vehicles for clearing Sunriver’s roads and pathways.

Crews generally start plowing when 3" has accumulated on the main roads. During heavy or continued snowfall, they will work around-the-clock in shifts to keep roads clear. Every road/lane will be plowed – oftentimes more than once as snow continues to fall! Crews may have come through at 2am and – if snow is still falling – your lane may need to be plowed again later that day.

Plow operators are only allowed to work a maximum of 12 hours at a time and then must be relieved and sent home for sleep, etc.

PLEASE NOTE: There should be no landscaping, hardscaping, sprinklers, etc. within 3 foot of road edge. Anything within the road easement is susceptible to damage by plow operations.  

Priority Protocol for Plowing

SROA’s crews follow a priority protocol for plowing – with public safety first.

1. Fire & police emergency access
2. Main roads, including widening
3. Secondary roads
4. Residential lanes & more than 200 cul-de-sacs
5. Pathways & tunnels 
6. SROA-owned parking lots (Fort Rock Park, etc.)
7. RV storage yards (main aisles only, space clearing is the responsibility of the owner)
8. 256 fire hydrants (once snow reaches 12 inches)
9. Skypark & taxiway

Driveways, Berms & Trash/Recycling Enclosures

Please note: Owners are responsible for removing snow from their driveways, the berm at the end of the driveway and creating a clear path to trash/recycling receptacles. 

Winter weather trash/recycling collection:

• Keep the outside and inside of enclosures clear of snow and ice including the area used to keep doors open.
• Keep the tops of trash/recycling containers clear of snow and ice. 
• Please provide a clear path for drivers to move cans to the street safely. 
• Please have cans ready the night before or by 6am on pickup days.
• Keep in mind that loose trash freezes and will need to be bagged to ensure can is fully emptied. 
• Be sure to also advise your maintenance crew, property management or anyone who handles the oversight of your property's services during the winter.

For more information, contact Cascade Disposal at 541-382-6660

Lessen your 'burden of berms' 

A winter storm has dropped several inches of snow and turned everything into a gorgeious wonderland of white. After admiring Mother Nature’s “gift” you start to squirm as you realize you have to tackle the inevitable and not only clear your driveway but also the berm left by the snowplow.

While an unfortunate consequence of living in snow country, there is a relatively simple technique you or your snow removal contractor can use to lessen your "burden of berms."

We found this tip from Maine’s Department of Transportation as part of their “How to Prevent the Second Shovel” berm campaign. Maine receives about the same amount of snow as Sunriver so it makes sense that this might work.

Here’s what to do (please see graphic):

As you look out at your driveway from your house, remove snow to create a cleaned-out pocket along the LEFT side of your driveway. This pocket allows a place for the snow to go when the plow comes down your lane and, hopefully, lessens the amount that creates a berm at the end of your driveway. Pushed snow needs someplace to go and that someplace is the path of least resistance – which is generally that cleaned-out driveway.

Whether this works (or not) for your driveway will be dependent on the configuration of your lane, landscaping obstacles, the proximity of your neighbor’s property/drive and the ability to maintain a cleared pocket after each snow event.

While clearing your driveway/berm, remember to be a good neighbor and ensure that any snow that you (or your contractor) remove remains on your own property. Also, be sure to not bury any fire hydrants.