Windrow Clearing in Winnipeg
We clear the packed ridge a plow leaves across your driveway, including the ridges the City says it will not remove.
Winnipeg Residential Snow Removal clears the ridge of snow that a plow pushes across your driveway entrance, the one that appears after the street is done and you are not. It looks small from the window. Up close it is a wall of packed, heavy snow that a car cannot cross and that gets harder with every hour it sits.
What does the City remove, and what does it leave?
The City of Winnipeg’s own snow FAQ sets out where the line falls. After street plowing, it removes windrows taller than 20 cm whenever operationally possible. Report to 311 only after the scheduled clearing shift has ended, because crews may come back through.
Other ridges are the owner’s job. The City says it does not remove windrows left by back lane plowing, and it says removing ridges that block private approaches is the responsibility of the property owners. Its council policy adds that windrows pushed across private approaches and walks by sidewalk clearing shall not be removed. High piles at private approaches are not removed either.
Why not just wait for the City to come back?
Because the City may not come back at all. A ridge under 20 cm is below the threshold, and one left by a sidewalk or lane plow is not on the City’s list. Meanwhile the snow sits and compacts, and a hard ridge on a cold afternoon is far more work than the same ridge cleared that morning.
How do we clear a windrow?
A windrow does not move like fresh snow. It is layered with ice and road grit, so we break it up instead of skimming the top. The process is simple:
- Wait for the plow. We clear after the pass, not during it.
- Cut through the ridge. The approach is opened to the width agreed at the quote.
- Move it clear. The snow goes to a spot where it will not slide back across the opening.
We do this on every visit for plan customers, so the ridge is gone each time without a call. If you want the whole drive handled alongside it, see our driveway snow clearing page.
Windrows in St. Vital and North Kildonan
St. Vital is almost entirely residential, so most of the work there is homes with a ridge to clear at the street. In North Kildonan, the Red River forms part of the western boundary, and Henderson Highway, Springfield Road and Gateway Road are the main corridors. We size the clearing to the ridge that is actually at each property.
Ridges from the back lane
A back lane is plowed to a compacted snow surface, and the ridge it leaves at your garage is yours to clear. Our back lane and garage pad clearing page covers that side of the property. For older homeowners who cannot manage a ridge like this, snow removal for seniors puts it on a standing plan.
What if the windrow is on a corner lot?
A corner property can get ridges from two streets, or from a street and a sidewalk plow, and each one may fall under a different City rule. We look at every edge of the lot when we quote it. The goal is a clear opening to the street you actually use, plus a clear line to the walk if a sidewalk ridge crosses it.
Get the ridge dealt with
Call or send a message when the plow has been through, or set up a plan so it happens on its own. We will quote the approach from what is there.
What's Included
- The ridge across the end of the driveway removed after the plow has passed
- Ridges from sidewalk plows and back lane plows, which the City leaves to owners
- Snow broken up and moved clear of the approach, not just scraped flat
- Added to a seasonal plan so it is cleared on every visit
- Single visits available after a heavy plow pass
Other Services We Offer in Winnipeg
Windrow Clearing Questions
What is windrow snow clearing?
It is the removal of the ridge of snow a plow leaves behind. The City defines a windrow as a ridge of snow that a snowplow or grader leaves behind, and it often lands across a driveway entrance. We break it up and move it clear so the drive is usable again.
Should I clear the windrow before the plow comes back?
Wait until the plow has finished its pass. The City advises that crews may return after the scheduled clearing shift, and a ridge cleared too early can be replaced by a fresh one. Once the shift has ended, the ridge is safe to clear.
Will the City remove the windrow for me?
Sometimes. After street plowing, the City says it removes windrows taller than 20 cm whenever operationally possible, and you can report one to 311 after the scheduled shift ends. It does not remove ridges left by sidewalk plowing or back lane plowing, and it does not remove high piles at private approaches.
How much does windrow clearing cost?
The price follows the width of the approach, how tall and hard the ridge is, and whether you want it cleared on every visit or only when it blocks you. Our [cost guide](/blog/snow-removal-cost-winnipeg/) explains how those factors add up.
Do you clear windrows on the same visit as the driveway?
Yes. The ridge across the end of the drive is part of a normal driveway visit, so you do not need a separate call after the plow comes through.
Get a Free Windrow Clearing Quote
Ask for a free quote for this winter. Tell us what needs clearing and we will tell you how we would handle it.