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With winter just around the corner, snow and ice removal will soon become part of our daily routines. While salt is a go-to solution for making roads, sidewalks, and parking lots safer, it can have unintended environmental consequences. When snow melts, salt doesn't just disappear—it gets carried into storm drains and flows into nearby lakes and streams, including Long Lake. Over time, this chloride pollution builds up in our waters, causing long-term harm to ecosystems. The worst part? Once salt enters a lake, it can’t be removed.
Why Chloride Pollution is a Problem
Chloride levels in Long Lake are already high enough to classify it as an impaired waterbody. Just one teaspoon of salt is enough to permanently pollute five gallons of water, and this pollution poses serious risks to aquatic life. Fish, amphibians, mussels, and other wildlife are highly sensitive to chloride. Unfortunately, the problem is not limited to lakes—chloride from road salt is also contaminating shallow wells and drinking water supplies. Moreover, salt accelerates the corrosion of infrastructure, with the U.S. spending $5 billion annually to repair roads, bridges, and vehicles damaged by it.
Although salt is effective at melting ice, using more than necessary doesn’t improve safety—it just adds to the environmental burden. This winter, by making smarter choices about snow and ice management, we can protect Long Lake without sacrificing safety.
Tips for Smarter Salt Use This Winter
One of the easiest ways to reduce salt use is to shovel or snow-blow early and often. The more snow you clear manually, the less salt you’ll need. When applying salt, remember that a little goes a long way—it only takes one cup to treat a standard parking stall or 250 square feet of surface. Overapplying salt wastes resources and pollutes nearby waterways without adding extra protection.
If temperatures drop below 15°F, most salts stop working, so it’s better to switch to sand for traction in icy areas. After a storm, sweep up any leftover salt or sand to reuse for the next snowfall and keep it from washing into storm drains.
Working with Contractors and HOAs on Salt Practices
If your homeowners' association (HOA) or property manager hires a snow removal service, ask them about their salting practices. Ideally, contractors should be trained in winter maintenance and certified by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) in best practices for snow and ice control. If they aren’t certified, encourage them to attend a training session. Be sure to ask them what steps they take to reduce salt use while still maintaining safety. Working with trained professionals ensures that winter safety can be achieved without unnecessary environmental harm.
Long Lake Needs Our Help
Long Lake, with its health score of 40/100, is already facing challenges from nutrient pollution and invasive species like Eurasian watermilfoil. Chloride pollution adds even more stress to the lake’s ecosystem. By being mindful about salt use this winter, we can prevent further damage and help Long Lake recover.
Other Ways to Protect Long Lake
In addition to smart salting, there are other ways to improve water quality in Long Lake. Consider adopting a storm drain through mn.adopt-a-drain.org to keep leaves, trash, and pollutants from entering the lake. You can also adopt a rain garden through mnwcd.org/adoptaraingarden to absorb runoff. Planting native buffers along shorelines helps filter pollutants while creating habitat for wildlife. Finally, if you own a boat, remember to clean, drain, and dry your watercraft to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.
Together, We Can Make a Difference
Smart salt use is a small but powerful way each of us can contribute to the health of Long Lake. By shoveling early, using salt efficiently, and working with trained contractors, we can protect the lake while keeping roads and sidewalks safe. Every handful of salt saved makes a difference for our waters, wildlife, and community.
This winter, let’s take the opportunity to care for Long Lake with every small action we take.
Healthy waters start with smart winter choices. Together, we can protect Long Lake!
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