Will this spring be bad for potholes?

Clay Hill Road

Decorah residents have enjoyed the occasional spells of warm weather this winter.  But weather which switches from temperatures in the teens to temperatures in the 40s is hard on roadways.

Potholes are caused by the expansion and contraction of groundwater under the pavement.  When water freezes, it takes up more space under the pavement and the pavement will expand, bend, crack and weaken.  The more often the winter weather switches between hot and cold, the more often this process happens.

That means, in short, that roads in Winneshiek County have been going through a tough winter.  And tough winters usually lead to tough springs.  "We're going to have a problem with potholes this spring," predicted county supervisor Mark Kuhn on Monday.  County Engineer Lee Bjerke pointed to Clay Hill Road as one of the worst roads for potholes so far this winter, although crews spread gravel on the road on Monday.

Bjerke also points out that fixing a pothole requires more than just throwing a little gravel in it.  County road crews try to keep an eye out for roads with particular problems, but they could be challenged this spring if the cycle of thawing and freezing continues for the rest of the winter.