Information station during the storm, at Newfound Gap, TennesseeGreat Smoky Mountains National ParkInformation station at Newfound Gap, during the storm on February 19th. Maintenance crews kept the highway open and 100 percent passable throughout the storm. From the 18th through the 20th, 40 inches or more of snowfall was recorded.Snow Removal; February 1964 Monthly Report, II-R-SR-7877, Physical Facilities - Roads - Snow Removal Operations
Oshkosh blade plow, Newfound Gap, TennesseeGreat Smoky Mountains National ParkStorms often occur when large accumulations are recorded at high elevations and up to 6 inches fall on the lower slopes. Such was the case from February 18th to 20th. The drag plow, attached to a stake body dump truck, is effective up to a 6-inch accumulation of snow. It frees the larger blade plows for heavier work higher on the mountain. Here the drag is being operated in tandem with the old Oshkosh blade plow, which is on light duty, and is soon scheduled for replacement.Snow Removal; February 1964 Monthly Report, II-R-SR-7891, Physical Facilities - Roads - Snow Removal Operations
Oshkosh blade plow, Newfound Gap, TennesseeGreat Smoky Mountains National ParkStorms often occur when large accumulations are recorded at high elevations and up to 6 inches fall on the lower slopes. Such was the case from February 18th to 20th. The drag plow, attached to a stake body dump truck, is effective up to a 6-inch accumulation of snow. It frees the larger blade plows for heavier work higher on the mountain. Here the drag is being operated in tandem with the old Oshkosh blade plow, which is on light duty, and is soon scheduled for replacement.Snow Removal; February 1964 Monthly Report, II-R-SR-7892, Physical Facilities - Roads - Snow Removal Operations
Plowers plowing the snow road, Newfound Gap, TennesseeGreat Smoky Mountains National ParkNaturally, the individual pieces of equipment have various limitations, and their specific uses match together to produce a unified snow removal operation over the entire range of elevation from Newfound Gap to Oconaluftee and Sugarlands. Here the V-plow pushes the berm back in an effort to widen the cleared roadway. This plow is the bruiser, the heavy-duty unit. It is large enough to handle the heaviest snow accumulation we have been faced with.Snow Removal; February 1964 Monthly Report, II-R-SR-7884, Physical Facilities - Roads - Snow Removal Operations
Plowers plowing the snow road, Newfound Gap, TennesseeGreat Smoky Mountains National ParkNaturally, the individual pieces of equipment have various limitations, and their specific uses match together to produce a unified snow removal operation over the entire range of elevation from Newfound Gap to Oconaluftee and Sugarlands. Here the V-plow pushes the berm back in an effort to widen the cleared roadway. This plow is the bruiser, the heavy-duty unit. It is large enough to handle the heaviest snow accumulation we have been faced with.Snow Removal; February 1964 Monthly Report, II-R-SR-7885, Physical Facilities - Roads - Snow Removal Operations
Plowers plowing the snow road, Newfound Gap, TennesseeGreat Smoky Mountains National ParkThis illustrates another advantage of tandem plowing: Here, the snow is being completely moved across the roadway in two stages.Snow Removal; February 1964 Monthly Report, II-R-SR-7888, Physical Facilities - Roads - Snow Removal Operations
Plowers plowing the snow road, Newfound Gap, TennesseeGreat Smoky Mountains National ParkAfter the storm comes the cleanup... At Newfound Gap, parking areas must be opened and roadways widened, because invariably, after a bout with Nature, the sun shines, and hordes of people drive to the top to view the winter spectacle. Grader in use.Snow Removal; February 1964 Monthly Report, II-R-SR-7895, Physical Facilities - Roads - Snow Removal Operations
Plowers plowing the snow road, Newfound Gap, TennesseeGreat Smoky Mountains National ParkThe blade plow is used as a supplementary unit at high elevations. It clears the snow from the roadway and puts it in position near the berm for Big John to push on over. In this picture, taken at Newfound Gap, the blade plow is reclearing a one-way roadway section of 4 to 6 inches accumulation. The plows are kept in continual operation during a major storm to keep abreast with the accumulating snow. Snow Removal; February 1964 Monthly Report, II-R-SR-7886, Physical Facilities - Roads - Snow Removal Operations
Plowers plowing the snow road, Newfound Gap, TennesseeGreat Smoky Mountains National ParkThese pictures illustrate one advantage of tandem plowing: The workhorse V-Plow, Big John, bulls back the rapidly accumulating snow berm, while a blade plow follows to remove the residue from the roadway to make it safer for normal traffic.Snow Removal; February 1964 Monthly Report, II-R-SR-7883, Physical Facilities - Roads - Snow Removal Operations
Removing snow using bull dozer, Newfound Gap, TennesseeGreat Smoky Mountains National ParkOnly a big job would justify moving these loaders 15 miles each way...Snow Removal; February 1964 Monthly Report, II-R-SR-7897, Physical Facilities - Roads - Snow Removal Operations
Road after plowing, Newfound Gap, TennesseeGreat Smoky Mountains National ParkWhen the storm abates and the plows finish clearing the roadway, the surface must be made safe for all traffic. Sanding appears simple, but a high degree of judgment is necessary to determine the proper mix to apply to the road. When the surface is soft, gravel (1/2-inch maximum size) is most effective. On ice, gravel is useless, but sand provides traction. When the road cover is melting, gravel must be used because sand washes away. Calcium and sodium chloride are mixed in varying degrees with the aggregate. In cold weather, the percentage of calcium chloride is increased, and in warmer weather, calcium choloride is not needed. Obviously, sanding isn't as simple as it looks... Sanded road.Snow Removal; February 1964 Monthly Report, II-R-SR-7899, Physical Facilities - Roads - Snow Removal Operations
Road maintenance, snow removalGreat Smoky Mountains National Park26 snow, head of river, 1B, North Carolina. H. Reese Smith in foreground on left. Road Maintenance, Snow removal - 1954 II-R-SR-13786, Physical Facilities - Roads - Snow Removal Operations
Sanding operations in progress after snow removal, Newfound Gap, TennesseeGreat Smoky Mountains National ParkWhen the storm abates and the plows finish clearing the roadway, the surface must be made safe for all traffic. Sanding appears simple, but a high degree of judgment is necessary to determine the proper mix to apply to the road. When the surface is soft, gravel (1/2-inch maximum size) is most effective. On ice, gravel is useless, but sand provides traction. When the road cover is melting, gravel must be used because sand washes away. Calcium and sodium chloride are mixed in varying degrees with the aggregate. In cold weather, the percentage of calcium chloride is increased, and in warmer weather, calcium choloride is not needed. Obviously, sanding isn't as simple as it looks... Sand truck.Snow Removal; February 1964 Monthly Report, II-R-SR-7898, Physical Facilities - Roads - Snow Removal Operations
Snow covered road, near Newfound gap, TennesseeGreat Smoky Mountains National ParkNear Newfound Gap on US-441 snow removal after storm of 2/20.Snow, I-A-MR-7867, Natural Features - Mountains - Views from Newfound Gap and Clingmans
Snow covered road, near Newfound gap, TennesseeGreat Smoky Mountains National ParkUS-441 below Chimneys (background) after snow removal.The Chimneys in snow, I-A-CHIM-7869, Natural Features - Mountains - Views of and from the Chimney Tops