Snow fence
A snow fence is a structure similar to a Sand fence used to force drifting of snow to occur in a predictable place, rather than randomly or not at all. Snow fences are primarily employed to minimize the amount of snowdrift on roadways or railways. In rural areas, farmers and ranchers may use temporary snow fences to create large drifts in basins for a ready supply of water in the spring. In the ski industry snow fences may also be used to catch snow in order to increase coverage in specified areas which some may consider snow farming. Snow fences are also used in avalanche control.
A typical style of temporary snow fence seen in North America today is often one of two varieties: perforated orange plastic sheet attached to stakes at regular intervals (the type usually utilized for construction site fencing or temporary sports field fencing) or a cedar or other lightweight wood strip and wire fence, also attached to metal stakes. A permanent snow fence is generally of larger wooden poles set deeply into the ground with large wooden planks running vertically across them. A permanent snow fence is built when a roadway or railway is subject to predictable snow and wind patterns each winter, usually in mountain passes.
The drifting and accumulation of snow behind and in front of such a fence follows the laws of physics as the wind speed on the downwind side and near upwind side is less than that on the far windward side, causing light materials such as snow or leaves to settle.
See also
References
- Campbell, E. (March 1975). Snowdrift Structures. Avalanche Protection in Switzerland (pp. 103-116). Fort Collins CO: General Technical Report RM-9, USDA-Forest Service.
- Mears, A.I. (1992). Avalanche Structural Protection in: Snow - Avalanche Hazard Analysis for Land - Use Planning and Engineering. Denver CO: Colorado Geological Survey, Department of Natural Resources, Bulletin 49.
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