Snowfence advice wanted

Tig · Nov 14, 2007

Although it may seem like sacrilege for a tractor owner, I want to put up some snow fence this year. At my rural property the prevailing winds give us lake effect snow. This snow comes off Lake Ontario and tumbles five miles across a frozen bay until it meets land where it forms drifts hard enough to ride a bicycle on. There is about 150' of land between my right of way and the bay. The owner of this land will let me put up snow fence. I took some pics of the drifts after the first storm last year but I'm wondering how close the snow fence should be to the road. The easiest place for me to put the fence is in the 50' to 100' area. Any experience, thoughts, reference material would be appreciated.
Thanks

MrJimi · Nov 15, 2007

Steve, I found this site, I hope it's some help to you
Snow fence
Jim

Tig · Nov 15, 2007

Thanks MrJimi, That site has clear instructions. There is a bit of science behind everything. I've got a 4' fence so I'll have to be 140' from the road and 5" off the ground. Not sure if I have 140'. I'll have to measure things. I can just see it now, this winter I'll be preoccupied by the formation of the drift behind my fence. I'll be able to see if I got it right. Maybe I'll post some pics.

MrJimi · Nov 15, 2007

When I lived in Maine there was lots of snow fence, the snow would blow over it and just pile up a little further away, kinda like a dam with the water running over it.
Jim

Egon · Nov 15, 2007

With that five mile run for the wind and snow you could accumulate some serious snow drifts.

Are there any other snow fences in your area you can use as a reference.

Height would be a main factor in your situation due to the volume of snow involved???

I think??

On the humorous side you have conditions for terrific snow blocks. Cut some to heighten the fence and also make some snow house apartments to rent out to hardy winter experience type folks or groups such as Boy Scouts!

There may even be a chance to make and rent snow fishing huts?

Two parallel knives cold be attached to your bucket for cutting the blocks. See; there can be a tractor involvement.

Tig · Nov 15, 2007

Snowmobiles have driven across the roof of this house in the 70s. Last year we had 7' drifts in the first week of blowing snow. They did not grow much after that but the lane was blocked for the winter. My tractor was still in Ottawa.
Not much snowfence along the bay expect one guy who when fence crazy. Based on the info MrJimi found that guy across the bay has guaranteed that his lane and fence will be buried 4' deep.
You joke about snow houses but my closest year round neighbour did cut a hole in the snow and sleep out with his son last year.
Snow huts are heavy. They make the ice sink and you get wet feet.

Egon · Nov 15, 2007

The mention of snow huts was only semi joking. The Boy Scouts have regular winter camps where they do build snow houses/huts.

You would have the perfect snow for that type of activity.

The fishing hut idea was based on not having to remove them come breakup time.

Rara Avis · Nov 15, 2007

Well whatever you do, don't do like my neighbor...He put a snow fence on either side of his driveway...FILLED IT TO THE TOP...

I wish now I'd taken a picture...

Tig · Nov 15, 2007

Paul, thats what the guy across the bay did. Snow fence tight to the ground, driveway is on the leeward side. I'll try to get a pic after our first storm.
Egon, although we did build long tunnels and caves in the drifts as kids I don't like tight spaces anymore. Unless I'm in the mood to face a phobia any mention of me in a snow cave/house will be treated as a joke.

My kids used to pack like sardines into snow caves. The only rules I had were, backyard only, never anywhere near cars, snowplows or blowers. Rule two, keep the roof thin in the middle, if it caves in and someone is buried, get help immediately.