WYOMING EXPERIMENTS WITH "LIVING SNOWFENCE"

Wyoming might someday protect its roads the same way farmers and ranchers have protected their homesteads and livestock for many years. The Highway Department, the Wyoming State Forestry Division and other state and federal agencies have joined together to study the effectiveness of shelterbelts in controlling blowing and drifting snow along state highways. Primarily, the five-year, $80,000 study will attempt to determine the feasibility of utilizing "living snowfence" as a replacement for the conventional, wooden variety along Wyoming roads. During the five years, the length of time it will take for planted seedlings to reach an effective height, the costs of establishing living snowfence and building the conventional variety will be compared. Costs will also be projected for the useful life expectancies of each for further comparison. As the shelterbelts grow and take form at two project locations near Cheyenne, measurement of their snow-storage capabilities will begin, again to be contrasted with wooden snowfence characteristics. The species of shrubs and trees will also be studied to determine their suitability for widespread use throughout Wyoming--although Lynne Musser, Wyoming Highway Department landscape agronomist, acknowledges living snowfence would be impractical in some areas due to insufficient water. (Author)

• Corporate Authors:

  American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

  444 North Capitol Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Publication Date: 1984-1

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 29-30
• Serial:
  • AASHTO QUARTERLY
  • Volume: 63
  • Issue Number: 1

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Costs; Feasibility analysis; Reduction (Chemistry); Snow fences; Snowdrifts; Trees
• Old TRIS Terms: Reduction
• Subject Areas: Finance; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; I62: Winter Maintenance;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00382982
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 30 1984 12:00AM