New York City Braces for Winter with Massive Rock Salt Imports

City stockpiles 900,000 metric tons of salt annually to battle snow and ice

Feb. 4, 2026 at 4:39am

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New York City prepares for winter weather by importing massive quantities of rock salt, with about 900,000 metric tons arriving in the region each year. The salt is unloaded in New Jersey and Staten Island and transported to 41 Department of Sanitation storage sites around the city. The city had about 317,000 metric tons on hand when the winter began, and used 99,000 metric tons in a recent storm. However, the prolonged cold weather has made the salt less effective, leading the city to also use 195,000 gallons of calcium chloride to help melt the snow and ice.

Why it matters

New York City's extensive rock salt stockpile is crucial for keeping the city's streets clear and safe during the winter months. The large-scale logistics of importing, storing, and distributing the salt highlight the city's preparedness for major winter storms. However, the challenges posed by extreme cold weather show the limitations of rock salt and the need for supplemental de-icing chemicals.

The details

The rock salt arrives on ships from locations like Chile, Mexico, Peru, and Egypt, and is unloaded at ports in New Jersey and on Staten Island before being transported to 41 Department of Sanitation storage sites around the city. The city had about 317,000 metric tons of salt on hand when the winter began, and used 99,000 metric tons in a recent 15-inch snowstorm. But the prolonged cold weather, with temperatures below 15 degrees Fahrenheit, has made the salt less effective at melting the snow and ice. To combat this, the city has also used 195,000 gallons of calcium chloride, which is effective in temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit.

  • The city had about 317,000 metric tons of salt on hand when the winter began.
  • The city used 99,000 metric tons of salt in a recent 15-inch snowstorm.
  • The city has used 195,000 gallons of calcium chloride so far this winter.

The players

Joshua Goodman

A deputy commissioner of the New York City Sanitation Department.

Shelagh Mahoney

The president of Atlantic Salt, a bulk supplier that has sent out as much as 15,000 tons of salt per day to meet demand.

Bethann Rooney

The Port Authority's port director, who notes that shipping salt by ship is more efficient than by truck.

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What they’re saying

“It's rare that we get as much as 15 inches of snow and then it stays below freezing for a week. We get a lot of storms where it snows, and the next day it's 40 degrees. This wasn't like that.”

— Joshua Goodman, Deputy Commissioner, New York City Sanitation Department

“All of a sudden, every town and municipality was calling to say, 'Oh, my God, there's a foot of snow coming, and we don't have enough salt. How quickly can you get it to us?'”

— Shelagh Mahoney, President, Atlantic Salt

“The emissions, the traffic, the wear and tear on the roadways, just the wear and tear on the drivers moving from upstate New York to New Jersey, 25 tons at a time — it's just not feasible.”

— Bethann Rooney, Port Director, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

What’s next

The city will continue to monitor weather forecasts and salt supplies to ensure it is prepared for any additional winter storms. Officials will also evaluate the effectiveness of the calcium chloride mixture and consider adjustments to the city's snow removal strategies for extreme cold weather events.

The takeaway

New York City's extensive rock salt stockpile and distribution network are a testament to the city's preparedness for major winter storms. However, the challenges posed by prolonged extreme cold weather highlight the need for supplemental de-icing strategies and a continued focus on adapting snow removal operations to changing climate conditions.