Wind-blown Snow as a Water Resource
Basics of Blizzards and Snowdrift Control
The Balance
We mentioned in the Overview that some of the drift control tools, like
snow fences and shelterbelts, have been around a long time. Our research aims
to improve the efficient use of old tools at the same time we look for new
ways. Improving efficiency means finding ways that do the job with less cost
(like using the Internet to get these results to you). We're after Goldilocks
designs, not too big (costly)--not too small (ineffective), but just right.
These pages are all about how to match drift controls with the amount of snow
moved by the wind. For example, how much snow drifts off the west forty in
an average winter, and how big a snow fence will it take to keep that much
drift out of the calving barn and corrals. How big a structure gives just
enough wind protection for 40 cow-calf pairs.
To get that
balance, we need to know some basics of blizzards, and of drift control.
So let's get balanced! It's basic (and easy).
To Basics of Blizzards and Snowdrift Control