Snow Fences

ENTRY DATE: 03.05.2015 | LAST UPDATE: 03.05.2015

CATEGORIES:

  • Water Resources
  • Water supply measures

TECHNOLOGIES MATURITY:

Applicable immediately

Technology Owners:

  • Support organisations e.g Non-governmental organisations
  • Local government e.g. Public Works department in Ladakh
  • Land owners

Needs Address

  • Conservation of water resources
  • Traditional methods of water management

Adaptation effects

  • Increases water security
  • Provides a source of freshwater for agricultural use, increasing agricultural yields and enhancing economic resilience
  • Enables conservation of moisture due to accumulation in one location, for use in warner periods when snow melts

Overview and Features

Natural or manmade fencing that enables the accumulation of snow to enhance moisture conditions, thereby increasing agricultural activity. Natural fences, or Living Snow Fences, are produced using plants that grow 6-12 metres tall are planted in multiple rows to allow porosity of vegetation. The fences must be constructed upwind of the desired accumulation position.

Cost

Dependent on materials used 

Energy source

Human resources to install

Ease of maintenance

  • Maintenance requirements are low however maintenance is crucial to ensure sustainable use
  • Maintenance regimes depend on the material used – natural materials are often self–sustaining while manmade structures require increased ongoing input and repair, particularly after harsh weather events

Technology performance

  • Very effective when properly maintained
  • Natural fences can be more sustainable but require protection from animals and ongoing weeding

Considerations

  • Only suitable for cold, snowy environments
  • Planning for implementation is required including height and width of fence, porosity of vegetation to enable adequate snow trapping, etc.
  • Extra guards against animal damage is necessary for natural fences
  • Plant selected must be suitable to the area of application e.g. soil conditions

Co-benefit, suitability for developing countries

  • Snow fences can also align with roads, housing and other infrastructure to protect it from snow coverage
  • Fences form a wind barrier, reducing damage from strong gusts of wind
  • Government support, including financial support, can encourage the construction and maintenance of snow fences
  • Can be constructed using locally available materials
  • Land ownership is necessary for adoption

Information Resources

Dawa, S., Dana, D. and Namgyal, P. 2000. Water Harvesting Technologies and Management System in a Micro-Watershed in Ladakh, India. In Chalise, S. R.; Banskota, M. (eds) Waters of Life-Perspectives of Water Harvesting in the Hindu Kush-Himalayas: Volume II (2000). ICIMOD. Available from: http://lib.icimod.org/record/22407 [21 January 2015]

Orange Snow Plastic Fence Factory, n.d. How to install snow fence? Webpage. Available from: http://www.snowfence.org/snow-fence/installation-snow-fence.html [21 January 2015]

University of Minnesota, n.d. Living Snow Fences: Functions and Benefits. Available from: http://www.extension.umn.edu/environment/agroforestry/components/UMN-Extension-LivingSnowFences.pdf [21 January 2015]