What are living snow fences and how do they benefit motorists?

By Kevin Byrne, AccuWeather staff writer

Share this article:

Winter driving can be treacherous even when roads are not covered in snow and ice.

Many times large banks of snow that accumulate after a storm can still pose problems to motorists when gusty winds whip through the snowdrifts and blow the snow back across roadways and into traffic.

Many states have set up standard snow fences alongside long stretches of motorways to help limit the amount of drifting snow that can impair a driver’s visibility. However, in some cases these snow fences are made out of living vegetation.

Living snow fences are naturally occurring or designed plantings of trees and shrubs and native grasses along highways, roads and ditches, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. These natural barriers have been used in Wisconsin since the 1930s.

(Photo/Minnesota Department of Transportation)

Many states have implemented living snow fences including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and New York.

Living snow fences were first installed in New York state in 2006, according to the New York Thruway Authority. They consist primarily of willow trees and evergreens strategically placed in areas prone to heavy snow.

#ArborDay - Did you know that the Thruway has living snow fences strategically planted across the state which helps to reduce drifting and blowing snow from reaching the roadway in winter months?

Environmental Stewardship is a strategic goal of the organization. pic.twitter.com/qNIcywID8j
— NYSThruwayAuthority (@NYSThruway) April 27, 2018

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) says living snow fences can control soil erosion and reduce spring flooding by keeping soil sediment out of ditches to maintain proper drainage.

There are environmental benefits to incorporating these fences besides improving driving safety. Planting these trees and shrubs offer reduced maintenance costs from standard fences and lower greenhouse gas emissions since there is less of a need to plow in these areas, the Thruway Authority states.

It also means less road salt, which can be hazardous to cars, is distributed on the roadways.

The United States Department of Agriculture states that the ideal species to plant for these fences are conifers, because of their height and year-round foliage.

In certain states like Minnesota and Iowa, some farmers are compensated for leaving standing corn rows and hay bales to help protect select state highways.

Farmers are compensated on a per acre basis for leaving standing corn rows and a per lineal foot basis for strategically stacked bales or silage bags, according to a MnDOT press release.

“Standing corn rows provide a unique opportunity to use a resource that is currently being grown adjacent to our highways to provide blowing snow control,” Dan Gullickson, MnDOT’s snow control program coordinator said in a statement last spring. “Farmers play a key role in helping MnDOT quickly deliver preventative snow control treatments while reducing MnDOT’s snow and ice removal costs.”

MnDOT recently said it is looking to expand a pilot program statewide that would aim to increase the amount of private landowners who use snow fences.

Report a Typo

Weather News

Comments

Comments that don't add to the conversation may be automatically or manually removed by Facebook or AccuWeather. Profanity, personal attacks, and spam will not be tolerated.

More Weather News

Another vigorous storm to dump more rain, mountain snow on Pacific Northwest

Weather News - December 10, 2018, 5:03:15 AM EST

Following Sunday’s rainy, damp and chilly weather in the Pacific Northwest, an even stronger storm system is set to bring heavy rain and copious mountain snow to the region early this week.
Photos: Snowstorm blankets the Carolinas, Virginia

Weather News - December 10, 2018, 7:56:47 AM EST

A storm unloaded heavy snow and ice from North Carolina to central and southern Virginia, which caused widespread power outages, travel shutdowns and disruptions.
Reports: Over 500 accidents reported in North Carolina as snowstorm produces hazardous travel conditions

Weather News - December 10, 2018, 6:16:11 AM EST

A major snowstorm, which has already buried parts of North Carolina with over a foot of snow, will continue to cause travel disruptions and power outages into Sunday evening.
Prolonged Northeast dry stretch to come to an end later this week

Weather News - December 09, 2018, 11:17:26 PM EST

The northeastern U.S. is in the midst of a rare dry spell, though it is expected to come to a soaking end later this week.
Potential tropical cyclone may impact India during mid-December

Weather News - December 09, 2018, 11:21:11 PM EST

An area of disturbed weather in the Bay of Bengal may develop into a tropical cyclone later this week and could impact southern India around mid-month.
Live updates: Over 200,000 without power as heavy snow, ice pounds Carolinas and Virginia

Weather News - December 09, 2018, 1:35:44 PM EST

A major, travel-disrupting storm is unleashing snow and ice from Tennessee to North Carolina and Virginia.
Looking ahead: Dry days, frigid nights expected as cleanup begins across southern US

Weather News - December 10, 2018, 4:09:43 AM EST

Dry, milder weather is expected for clean-up efforts across the southern United States following a dose of heavy snow, ice and flooding rainfall.
Beijing endures one of the coldest December days on record; Snow flies in Shanghai

Weather News - December 08, 2018, 10:47:23 AM EST

Bitter cold will continue to have a firm grip on eastern Asia through at least this weekend, forcing residents to bundle up and leading to snow opportunities.