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An Evaluation of the Effects of Different Deicing Salt Application Rates on Three Watersheds in Essex County, New York

Scientific Investigations Report 2025-5062
Prepared in cooperation with the New York State Department of Transportation
By: , , , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20255062

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Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the New York State Department of Transportation, evaluated the effects of different deicing salt application rates on surface water, groundwater, and highway runoff quality near State highways in northern New York. Three reaches of State highways were tested with different deicing treatments between October 2019 and November 2022: a salt-sand mixture (Treatment A), a salt mixture applied at a lower rate (Treatment B), and a control mixture consistent with typical deicing salt amounts and application rates. Data on pavement conditions and the quality of surface water, highway runoff, and groundwater were collected. Surface electromagnetic data were also collected. Surface-water and groundwater quality downgradient from the State highways were compared with water quality at upgradient locations. The percentage of snow or ice coverage was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the salt applications.

This report provides an overview of the transport of deicing salt. The Treatment B watershed had deicing mixture applied more frequently than other highway reaches, which caused it to have the highest annual total chloride application. Despite differences in chloride application, flow-weighted mean chloride concentrations in highway runoff were comparable across treatments. Chloride concentrations were elevated in surface water and groundwater downgradient from highways relative to chloride concentrations upgradient from highways. A chloride mass balance, calculated for one treatment watershed, indicated that groundwater affected by legacy deicing practices may be contributing additional chloride to surface water. Spatial patterns from electromagnetic surveys show a shallow saline plume alongside the highway in that area.

Differences in winter severity and pavement-surface conditions drove deicing salt applications in the treatment areas. This study found that several factors affect chloride loads in the watersheds, including variable winter conditions, adaptive snow and ice management, legacy management practices, and area-specific aquifer and groundwater conditions.

Suggested Citation

Gutchess, K., Scavotto, N., Dondero, A., Woda, J., Terry, N., Smith, K., and Williams, J., 2025, An evaluation of the effects of different deicing salt application rates on three watersheds in Essex County, New York: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2025–5062, 31 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20255062.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Purpose and Scope
  • Description of Study Area
  • Methods
  • Quality Assurance and Quality Control Analysis
  • Data Analysis
  • Chloride in Highway Runoff Relative to Winter Snow and Ice Management
  • Chloride in Surface Water and Groundwater
  • Effects of Different Deicing Salt Application Rates in Essex County, New York
  • Summary
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title An evaluation of the effects of different deicing salt application rates on three watersheds in Essex County, New York
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2025-5062
DOI 10.3133/sir20255062
Publication Date November 25, 2025
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) New York Water Science Center
Description Report: viii, 31 p.; 2 Data Releases
Country United States
State New York
County Essex County
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Additional publication details