Establishment and potential snow storage capacity of willow (Salix spp.) living snow fences in south-central Minnesota, USA

Snowdrifts caused by wind gusts reduce visibility on the road which endangers traffic safety, increases travel time and road maintenance costs. Based on previous experience and research it has been proven that living snow fence is an economical, ecological and efficient solution for protection of roads from snowdrifts. Living snow fences with their above-ground part, reduce the wind speed, act as a mechanical barrier for the snow and accumulate a certain amount of snow. This study presented use and efficiency of living snow fence in controlling snowdrifts on the road section Paraćin-Zaječar, locality – crest Čestobrodica. Analysis of environmental conditions, which are resented main endangering factor for snowdrifts, included the determination of indicators of possibility of snowdrifts: snowfall water equivalent (Swe), snow transport (Q) and ability of living snow fence to prevent snowdrifts: snow storage capacity of the fance (Qc). Snow storage capacity for living snow fence is analyzed for ten year period. Using equation for estimation of length of snowdrifts on downwind side of fance, a change in length of snowdrifts during the analyzed period are determin, and the efficiency of living snow fence in protection of the road from snowdrifts with increasing age.The results of this study represent a contribution to using living snow fence in solving the problem of roads protection from snowdrifts and increasing traffic safety during winter conditions.

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Evaluation of the Impact of Climate Change on Runoff Generation in an Andean Glacier Watershed

Water ◽

10.3390/w12123547 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (12) ◽

pp. 3547

Author(s):

Rossana Escanilla-Minchel ◽

Hernán Alcayaga ◽

Marco Soto-Alvarez ◽

Christophe Kinnard ◽

Roberto Urrutia

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Water Resources ◽

Emission Scenario ◽

Water Discharge ◽

Climate Change Scenarios ◽

Climate Trend ◽

Snow Storage ◽

South Central ◽

Recent Climate ◽

The Impact

Excluding Antarctica and Greenland, 3.8% of the world’s glacier area is concentrated in Chile. The country has been strongly affected by the mega drought, which affects the south-central area and has produced an increase in dependence on water resources from snow and glacier melting in dry periods. Recent climate change has led to an elevation of the zero-degree isotherm, a decrease in solid-state precipitation amounts and an accelerated loss of glacier and snow storage in the Chilean Andes. This situation calls for a better understanding of future water discharge in Andean headwater catchments in order to improve water resources management in glacier-fed populated areas. The present study uses hydrological modeling to characterize the hydrological processes occurring in a glacio-nival watershed of the central Andes and to examine the impact of different climate change scenarios on discharge. The study site is the upper sub-watershed of the Tinguiririca River (area: 141 km2), of which nearly 20% is covered by Universidad Glacier. The semi-distributed Snowmelt Runoff Model + Glacier (SRM+G) was forced with local meteorological data to simulate catchment runoff. The model was calibrated on even years and validated on odd years during the 2008–2014 period and found to correctly reproduce daily runoff. The model was then forced with downscaled ensemble projected precipitation and temperature series under the RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios, and the glacier adjusted using a volume-area scaling relationship. The results obtained for 2050 indicate a decrease in mean annual discharge (MAD) of 18.1% for the lowest emission scenario and 43.3% for the most pessimistic emission scenario, while for 2100 the MAD decreases by 31.4 and 54.2%, respectively, for each emission scenario. Results show that decreasing precipitation lead to reduced rainfall and snowmelt contributions to discharge. Glacier melt thus partly buffers the drying climate trend, but our results show that the peak water occurs near 2040, after which glacier depletion leads to reducing discharge, threatening the long-term water resource availability in this region.

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Design Criteria and Location of Snow Fences

Annals of Glaciology ◽

10.3189/1985aog6-1-68-70 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. 68-70

Author(s):

Harald Norem

Keyword(s):

Minimum Distance ◽

Storage Capacity ◽

Windward Side ◽

Design Criteria ◽

Total Density ◽

Design Considerations ◽

Drifting Snow ◽

Snow Fence ◽

Snow Model ◽

Snow Fences

The paper describes experience gained in Norway regarding the design criteria and use in practice of snow fences. The paper is based on theoretical studies on drifting snow, model experiments and experience accumulated through practical consulting work.Snow fence design is a compromise between the storage capacity and minimization of dimensioning forces. Design considerations include fence height H, total snow fence density, and the gap between ground and fence. A gap of 0.15H - 0.2H and a total density of 45% are usually recommended. On ridge crests the gap can be reduced to 0.1H and in areas where snow depths exceed 2.0 m, it can be increased to 0.3H. In such cases the fence density should be varied such that the total density, including the gap, will remain near 45%. The height of the snow fences should be kept within 3.5 -4.5 m and the snow fences should be erected on the windward side of obstacles that create snowdrifts. The minimum distance from fence to road should not be less than 15H; in certain circumstances in coastal climate, this can be reduced to 10H.

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Living snow fences show potential for large storage capacity and reduced drift length shortly after planting

Agroforestry Systems ◽

10.1007/s10457-014-9726-1 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 88 (5) ◽

pp. 803-814 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Justin P. Heavey ◽

Timothy A. Volk

Keyword(s):

Storage Capacity ◽

Drift Length ◽

Snow Fences

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Design Criteria and Location of Snow Fences

Annals of Glaciology ◽

10.1017/s0260305500010016 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. 68-70 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Harald Norem

Keyword(s):

Minimum Distance ◽

Storage Capacity ◽

Windward Side ◽

Design Criteria ◽

Total Density ◽

Design Considerations ◽

Drifting Snow ◽

Snow Fence ◽

Snow Model ◽

Snow Fences

The paper describes experience gained in Norway regarding the design criteria and use in practice of snow fences. The paper is based on theoretical studies on drifting snow, model experiments and experience accumulated through practical consulting work. Snow fence design is a compromise between the storage capacity and minimization of dimensioning forces. Design considerations include fence height H, total snow fence density, and the gap between ground and fence. A gap of 0.15H - 0.2H and a total density of 45% are usually recommended. On ridge crests the gap can be reduced to 0.1H and in areas where snow depths exceed 2.0 m, it can be increased to 0.3H. In such cases the fence density should be varied such that the total density, including the gap, will remain near 45%. The height of the snow fences should be kept within 3.5 -4.5 m and the snow fences should be erected on the windward side of obstacles that create snowdrifts. The minimum distance from fence to road should not be less than 15H; in certain circumstances in coastal climate, this can be reduced to 10H.

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Living Snow Fences: International Practices

World of Transport and Transportation ◽

10.30932/1992-3252-2021-19-2-13 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 94-99

Author(s):

D. Yu. Mishina

Keyword(s):

Global Climate ◽

Modern Science ◽

Field Tests ◽

Integrated Approach ◽

Road Maintenance ◽

Retention Capacity ◽

Advantages And Disadvantages ◽

Snow Storage ◽

Living Fences ◽

Snow Fences

In winter, in the countries with snow covered regions, one of the main tasks of road maintenance is to combat snow deposits, snowpacks and snowdrifts on the roadway. Living snow fences consisting of tree and shrub plantings are among known world practices to protect roads against effects of snow deposits. They are environmentally friendly, durable and have great snow retention capacity. However, there are several constraints regarding application of those practices.The analysis of the design, spacing and planting schemes refers to Russian and foreign living snow fences used to protect highways, considers the features, advantages, and disadvantages of living fences in different countries. Japanese and American designs are reviewed as international experience. The influence of the state of trees on the efficiency of their snow-retaining function has been determined. As a result, the need for monitoring and proper maintenance of existing living snow fences throughout their life cycle was confirmed using the examples of surveys of forest plantations in Kazakhstan and in Volgograd region of the Russian Federation.The author presents promising directions for improving the structures and planting schemes of snow storage living fences, namely, an integrated approach to their design as of a protection not only against snowdrifts, but also against pollutants. Such solutions include the design of protective living fences using only tall shrubs, providing the best blowing of roadside areas and dispersion of contaminants. Another solution is to complement the species planted within living fences with willow and corn. Besides, referring to global climate changes, an important task for modern science has been identified, that is to update the current standards for the design of living fences under the current meteorological conditions.Recommendations on the use of mathematical modelling with the help of computer software are suggested regarding development of new configurations of living fences, assessment of their effectiveness, as well as on the adoption of modern technologies such as video cameras and drones during field tests.

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