How To Report A Pothole On Your Street

A pothole can begin as a small depression and quickly become a hazard for drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and nearby property. Water, freezing temperatures, heavy traffic, and repeated vehicle impacts can cause pavement to break apart, creating sharp edges or a deeper opening in the roadway.

Reporting the problem promptly gives the City of Susanville Public Works Department useful information for inspection and maintenance planning. A clear report helps staff locate the damaged area, assess its condition, and determine the appropriate repair response.

Residents can also find utility information, public infrastructure updates, contact details, and service resources through the Susanville Public Works website. Before submitting a report, take a moment to record the location and describe what makes the area unsafe.

Recognize A Reportable Street Hazard

A pothole is a section of roadway where the pavement surface has broken away, leaving a hole, depression, or uneven edge. It may be easier to spot after rain, when standing water hides the depth of the damage. Loose asphalt, crumbling pavement, and a series of connected depressions are also worth reporting.

Use extra caution when approaching a damaged area. Slow down without making a sudden maneuver, leave room for other road users, and avoid driving through standing water when possible. If the hazard creates an immediate danger, such as a large obstruction in an active traffic lane, prioritize personal safety and contact the appropriate emergency service.

Not every surface problem is a pothole. A raised utility cover, damaged storm drain, missing sidewalk section, or roadwork issue may require a different type of response. Providing an accurate description helps direct the concern to the right crew.

Record The Location And Condition

The most important detail is the pothole’s exact location. Include the street name, the nearest cross street, the side of the road, and a nearby address or landmark. If the damage is in a parking lane, intersection, alley, or residential frontage, identify that area specifically.

Describe the approximate size and depth if it is safe to estimate. Note whether the hole is surrounded by cracking, contains loose debris, is filled with water, or affects several adjacent sections of pavement. Mention whether vehicles must cross into another lane to avoid it.

A photograph can make a report easier to understand, especially when the location is difficult to identify. Take pictures only from a safe place and never stand in traffic or stop in a hazardous position to document the pavement.

Use The Appropriate Reporting Channel

Submit the concern through the City’s current Public Works contact or service-reporting option. The official website is the best place to check available instructions, department contacts, utility information, and any required details before sending a request. Include your name and contact information if requested so staff can follow up when necessary.

Write the report in practical terms rather than using a general statement such as “bad road.” For example, explain that a large depression is located on the eastbound side of a named street near a particular intersection, and that vehicles are moving around it to avoid the damage.

If the problem is connected to a water leak, sewer issue, construction area, or stormwater structure, mention that connection in the same report. Related infrastructure conditions can affect the cause of pavement failure and may need to be evaluated together.

Street condition	Details to include	Why it matters
Pothole or pavement depression	Street, direction of travel, nearby landmark, estimated size	Helps crews locate and assess roadway damage
Utility cover or trench settlement	Exact feature, surrounding cracks, nearby construction	May indicate a utility or restoration issue
Storm drain problem	Inlet location, blockage, flooding, standing water	Supports drainage and roadway safety review
Sidewalk or curb damage	Block, address, obstruction, trip hazard	Helps distinguish pedestrian infrastructure needs

Understand What Happens After A Report

A submitted request generally needs to be reviewed before work is assigned. Staff may verify the location, determine whether the issue is within the City’s responsibility, and evaluate the severity of the damage. Conditions can change between the time a report is sent and the time it is inspected.

Some repairs may be handled as a temporary safety measure, while others require scheduled asphalt work, drainage correction, or a larger pavement project. Weather, traffic conditions, available crews, and the underlying cause can influence the timing and method of repair.

A pothole may return if water continues to enter cracks beneath the pavement. For that reason, a lasting fix may involve more than filling the visible hole. Reporting recurring damage and explaining when it reappears can give maintenance staff valuable context.

Distinguish Road Repairs From Other Projects

Public Works manages a range of municipal infrastructure, and each asset has different maintenance requirements. A road surface report should focus on the roadway condition, while a sidewalk, drainage, water, or gas concern should identify the separate facility involved.

The same principle applies to specialized public facilities. For example, pavement maintenance at an airport requires specific inspection and operational considerations, as explained in the article about airport runway maintenance. A street pothole report should include roadway details rather than being submitted as an airport operations concern.

When the source of damage is uncertain, describe everything visible: leaking water, an open trench, sinkage near a utility cover, flooding, or debris. A complete description allows the department to determine whether multiple service areas need to coordinate.

Make Your Report Easier To Resolve

Use these practices when submitting a roadway maintenance request:

• Give the street name, nearest cross street, direction of travel, and a nearby address or landmark.
• Describe the pothole’s approximate size, depth, shape, and effect on traffic.
• Mention standing water, loose debris, exposed material, repeated damage, or nearby utility work.
• Attach a clear photo only when it can be taken safely and without entering traffic.
• Keep the confirmation number or submission details for future reference.

Avoid placing cones, signs, or other objects in the roadway unless authorized. Improvised markers can create additional hazards and may interfere with traffic or maintenance operations. If the damaged area becomes more dangerous after the initial report, submit an updated description through the City’s designated channel.

Help Keep Susanville Streets Safe

A timely, well-located report gives the Public Works Department a stronger starting point for inspection and repair. It also helps identify recurring pavement problems and conditions that may affect people throughout the neighborhood.

Visit the official City resources, provide the clearest information available, and report roadway damage as soon as it can be done safely. Your report can help crews prioritize hazards and keep Susanville’s streets more reliable for everyone.