Snow Fencing to Increase Streamflow on Rangelands

by David L. Sturges, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range, Experiment Station, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Watershed Planning and Analysis in Action

Abstract:

Snow deposition and water yield were increased 55% and 127% respectively, and duration of surface runoff was lengthened 17 days in response to snow fencing a sagebrush-covered watershed in southern Wyoming. The Wyoming snow fence was 3.8 m tall and 800 m long. Treatment evaluations were based on 10 years of pretreatment and 6 years of posttreatment streamflow information. The value of additional water would have to be $0.077/m³ ($95.00/acre-ft) to amortize fence construction costs based on a 25-year project life.

Subject Headings: Snow | Streamflow | Fences | Watersheds | Water yield | Runoff | Rangeland | Wyoming | United States

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