A snow fence is a structure, similar to a sand fence, that forces drifting snow to accumulate in a desired place. They are primarily employed to minimize the amount of snowdrift on roadways and railways.
In the ski industry snow fences are used to catch snow to increase snow depth in specified areas; a practice which may also be considered snow farming. Snow fences are also used in avalanche control.
Snow fences work by making the wind speed on the downwind side and near upwind side less than that on the far windward side, causing blown snow to settle to the ground.
Snow fences can save lives and reduce maintenance costs. To be effective, however, snow fences must be designed and placed properly.
Properly designed and placed, taller fences are dramatically more effective than the traditional low picket fence. New lightweight plastics & strong steel wire now allow the construction of portable fences up to several meters.
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