The use of soot for snow removal purposes

Eight test plots, 10x10 feet, covered with 10 inches of snow, were evenly spread with soot varying from 0-10 pounds per plot. Snow depth and water content were measured with a sampler at the center of each plot before applying the soot and again 4 hours later. The temperature ranged from 22 deg to 47 deg F during the experimental period. The greatest decrease in snow depth occurred in the plot covered with 1 pound of soot. The rate of decrease in snow was almost twice as great on the sooted spots than on clear plots. No significant difference in the decrease of water content was found. Lampblack was applied experimentally on the Kaiser Pass road on March 30, 1951, at the rate of 10 pounds per 100 square feet as a method of snow clearance in spring. The danger of spreading the soot too thickly and preventing melting is pointed out in the discussion.In discussion Dr. Robert W. Gerdel points out some interesting references on the subject of 'Unconventional Methods of Snow Removal'