Strong winter winds can cause dangerous driving conditions. Not only does blowing snow dramatically reduce visibility but also treacherous drifts can accumulate across roadways and other open unprotected areas.
A Natural Barrier
Several states have successful programs in place using living snow fence. The Iowa DOT has been developing and improving theirs for over 40 years. Living snow fencing is a natural barrier created by planting a combination of shrubs, trees and grasses that act as a windbreak. In Iowa, rows are five feet apart and shrubs are set three feet apart within the row. Plantings are arranged so that the gaps in one row are filled by the plants in the next row. As the speed of the wind is disrupted and decreased, snow settles among and downwind from the plantings. Research shows that drifts will form downwind 10 to 12 times the height of the trees (100 to 120 feet downwind from a 10 tree). A concentrated and closely spaced placement of trees and shrubs results in shorter and deeper drifts.
When positioned properly, living snow fences can greatly reduce the amount of plowing needed to keep roads open for travel. Winter travel is safer.
Native Species with Reduced Erosion
There are benefits in addition to safety when living snow fencing is used:
- Highway beautification is enhanced with native species of plants.
- Environmental stewardship is promoted.
- Trees, shrubs and grasses are excellent wildlife habitat all year.
- Living snow fences slow and reduce erosion.
- When measured during winter months the temperature of the pavement surface in areas protected by living snow fence were higher than the surface temperature in unprotected areas.
- In areas with severe cold, this greatly increases the effectiveness of chemicals used to prevent icing.
- It is no longer necessary to install and remove wood or plastic snow fence.
If you live in an area that gets lots of snow, what type of snow fence does the DOT use?
Wood, plastic or natural living snow fence: which type of snow fencing would you prefer to see?
Interested in other types of living fence? Read our blog article Living Fencing.
- photos from NYSDOT
