snow fence for wind break

[angus9259]

Hi folks. Yes it's June and I'm thinking about January. My white pine wind break has deteriorated over the years. I was thinking about putting up some snow fence for a dozen brood cows and their calves. Anyone use it? Is it worth the energy?

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

Snow fence around here creates a 5+' tall snow drift so hard you can drive a bus on, not sure what good that would do for cows?

 

[M.Magis]

Yeah, snow fences are made to create drifts by just slowing down the wind. And I've never seen one more than 4' tall and flimsy. Prebuilt privacy fence panels seem like they would work better.

 

[SBMF 2015]

Round bales stacked two high works pretty good.

 

[GoWyo]

I like 7' tall windbreak panels. Frame with oilfield pipe and put on tin. Leave a 2" gap between the two longitudinal tin pieces. These ones below used highway guardrail "I" beams for permanent posts. They still need a a W guardrail piece on the bottom run below the tin. The 2" gap between the tin pieces keeps the snow from rolling over the top and collecting on the downwind side.

 

[Travlr]

I like 7' tall windbreak panels. Frame with oilfield pipe and put on tin. Leave a 2" gap between the two longitudinal tin pieces. These ones below used highway guardrail "I" beams for permanent posts. They still need a a W guardrail piece on the bottom run below the tin. The 2" gap between the tin pieces keeps the snow from rolling over the top and collecting on the downwind side.View attachment 59033View attachment 59034

I sure could'a used those in SD. So you leave a 2" gap between the top and bottom tin? I think that's what I'm seeing in the images.

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

Some of the usefulness of a windbreak panel is how much snow do you get? And how much wind?

Here with the amount of snow we get even those 7' panels would just get lost in a snow drift.

 

[angus9259]

Thanks. Everything I've read says you need 25-30% air flow through the break (gaps) in order to maximize effectiveness. That's why I've shied from the privacy panels and thought of snow fence.

 

[GoWyo]

Some of the usefulness of a windbreak panel is how much snow do you get? And how much wind?

Here with the amount of snow we get even those 7' panels would just get lost in a snow drift.

Yah I can see how that could happen. Here on the prairie, a big snow is 12-16" and then a week of wind behind it. Most of the time it is 6-8" snow and wind will make 6' drifts in places and if you clean them out, they fill back in immediately. These wind breaks are around my two tire tanks. This is the new "blizzard fort" with room for 50-60 pairs to get out of the wind and the calves under a roof. This has solid walls. We haven't had a blizzard yet to test out how the snow is going to blow around. The wall on the left is 10' high and 48' back to the corner of the shed part. The shed roof is 12' for shed depth by 60' long. The final leg of the wall on the right end is 36'. All the posts are 2-7/8" pipe. This is the center pen where 4 pastures meet and I calve in 3 of them, so the calves have a place to get out of the wind.

This is the original windbreak shelter system that was in the spot where the new blizzard fort sits. This is pretty effective for 20-30 head. Panels are 24' each by 7' tall and the shed is 20' long. This one is still up in the calving pastures and they use it.

 

[GoWyo]

Thanks. Everything I've read says you need 25-30% air flow through the break (gaps) in order to maximize effectiveness. That's why I've shied from the privacy panels and thought of snow fence.

It depends on what you are trying to do. If it is to keep snow from drifting across a road or other area, then look at the highway snow fences in Wyoming along Interstate 80. They probably let 50-60% air flow through. But they are pretty effective for what they do. But the wind is still pretty stout down wind of them. They are not a shelter system.

 

[GoWyo]

This is the wind break and shed system in the heifer lot next to the house. These panels have the gap between the tin sheets. The whole system is portable.

 

[GoWyo]

I sure could'a used those in SD. So you leave a 2" gap between the top and bottom tin? I think that's what I'm seeing in the images.

Yes the 2" gap lets enough wind through to keep snow moving downwind rather than just blowing over the top and making a snow drift directly behind the downwind side of the panel.

 

[angus9259]

You folks are showing pics of where REAL wind happens compared to my place. You'd probably chuckle if I showed you pics of my place with all the trees and hills and tell me to let them cows just tough it out!!! .

 

[Travlr]

You folks are showing pics of where REAL wind happens compared to my place. You'd probably chuckle if I showed you pics of my place with all the trees and hills and tell me to let them cows just tough it out!!! .

If you'd put a location on your profile I might care more by being able to relate.

 

[angus9259]

If you'd put a location on your profile I might care more by being able to relate.

I'm overwhelmed with grief that you don't care. Sorrow is my companion today. Whatever shall I do? I must carry on knowing that Travlr is unmoved by my plight. It's a cross I shall learn to bear with bravery and courage. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to grow!

 

[Travlr]

I'm overwhelmed with grief that you don't care. Sorrow is my companion today. Whatever shall I do? I must carry on knowing that Travlr is unmoved by my plight. It's a cross I shall learn to bear with bravery and courage. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to grow!

Common ignorance is a cross that we all must bear. Some by experiencing others... and some by participating.