Snow fences slow down the effects of winter wind

FENCE: See Page 3

Lionel Olson

NDSU Extension Service

Living in the country can be very rewarding. But anyone who has spent a winter in North Dakota realizes that there will always be a day or two, sometimes more, that snow and blowing snow will make life difficult.

Understanding this and preparing ahead of time for these situations makes them easier to deal with.

For example, snow fences are a good way to keep as much snow as possible off the roadway.

With proper placement, snow that would normally land on the roadway will form at the location of the snow fence. Snow fences force the wind to slow down by going around, as well as through, the fence. Snow particles will settle out of slow moving air and come to a rest forming a drift behind and in front of the fence.

Types

Two of the most common snow fences are structural and living.

Structural fences can be large permanent fences, or temporary wood slat or plastic mesh fences. Permanent structural fences are 6 to 8 feet tall while temporary structural fences are 4 feet tall.

The most effective structural fences have 40 to 50 percent open space, with horizontal gaps being the most popular.

Living snow fencesLiving fences would include trees, shrubs, native grasses and standing corn rows. Trees and shrubs can take many years to establish, but offer many advantages in aesthetic appeal, wild life habitat, reduction in soil erosion, and added hunting ground.

Varietal choices should be fast growing as well as be able to thrive in our harsh environment for long periods of time.

Leaving a section of eight to 12 rows of corn standing over winter also is effective. It can prevent soil erosion as well as being great habitat for wild life. Because the rows need to be parallel to the area to be protected, advanced planning is needed when using corn rows.

LocationPlacement, length and height are all critical in setting up an effective snow fence.

Fences should be placed perpendicular to the prevailing wind, which in our part of the country is from the northwest.

They should be placed parallel to the roadway or area to be protected. Placing the fence 6 to 8 inches off of the ground will help reduce the tendency of it becoming buried as winter drags on.

The length of the fence is dependent on the size of the area to be protected. Snow storage at the ends of the fence will be significantly less than in the middle, therefore length should be extended 30 degrees beyond the desired area to be protected.

This will help compensate for wind variability. Snow fences should be set back from the protected area a length of 35 times the height of the fence. A living snow fence should be placed back a distance of 15 times the mature height of the tree or plants used.

The last row of corn should be approximately 210 feet from the area to be protected.

Remember that a poorly planned or placed snow fence will not do an adequate job of protecting your roadway or targeted area. It could actually cause more snow to accumulate in that area.