Living Snow Fence Case Study: Lamberton, MN
Introduction
  Snowfall
  Wind Direction
  Fetch Distance
  Snow Water Equiv.
  Snow Transport
  Porosity
  Attack Angle
  Setback
  Conclusions
  References



This twin-row planting of honeysuckle protects a 400-ft section of Highway 14 west of Lamberton, MN in Redwood County. The snow fence is located on the property of the University of Minnesota's Southwest Research and Outreach Center.

Steps used to design a living snow fence given the climatological and topographic characteristics at this site:

  1. Identify the snowfall over the snow accumulation season (SAS).
  2. Determine the prevailing winter wind direction by looking at: prevailing wind direction for October - March and the direction of predominant snow transport.
  3. Determine fetch distance for this site.
  4. Identify the snow water equivalent (SWE).
  5. Calculate the mean seasonal snow transport, based on snowfall over the snow accumulation season (SAS).
  6. Calculate storage capacity, based on fence porosity and height.
  7. Determine the angle of the prevailing wind with the road.
  8. Run model to get proper setback distance for fence.

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