As the leaves begin to fall, the Fort Dodge Public Works Department reminds residents that pushing yard waste, including leaves and grass clippings, into the street is not only a safety hazard for bicycles and motorcycles, but it also creates ongoing storm sewer problems.

“We have ways that residents can properly dispose of yard waste and leaves,” said Public Works Director Brett Daniel, “but putting them into the street where they can plug up tops and create additional problems below the grates is not the way to dispose of things.”

According to Daniel, his staff continues to see a lot of clippings, leaves, and other yard waste including sticks and debris, being pushed out into the street by residents. Daniel said they run the street sweepers to clean up what they can, but with fall leaves they are seeing more issues.

“We try to get out and regularly clean out intakes, but the added yard waste and sticks create more problems,” said Daniel. “And if they make it below the grates and get into the intakes, that really creates even more problems, especially if it rains and can flood intersections.”

The city does have curbside yard waste pickup every Friday. Residents are asked to use brown bags with paid stickers for the clippings and leaves and to text 515-408-9888 prior to Friday for curbside pickup.

The city’s yard waste site, 3001 Eighth Ave. S., also continues to be open from 8 a.m. to noon Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

“Utilizing the yard waste site is free and we work hard to keep the site open,” said Daniel.

He also noted that dumping clippings in public parks is not allowed and doing so actually creates additional erosion problems. The city’s ongoing burn ban also remains in place.

Things to know

Friday Yard Waste Pickup: Prior to Friday, text 515-408-9888 for curbside pickup.

Yard waste must be in a brown Kraft bag with a paid sticker.

Yard Waste Site Hours:

8 a.m. to noon Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday