Living Snow Fence

A living snow fence is a planting of trees, shrubs, or native grasses at critical locations to reduce the effects of high winds common to a particular area resulting in a decrease of blowing and drifting snow.

We maintain five living snow fence locations.

The Wyoming Department of Transportation provides grant funding for project sponsors to install living snow fences across the state through cooperative efforts with Wyoming State Forestry and the Wyoming Department of Transportation. The goal is to improve winter driving conditions and reduce costs of highway snow maintenance. A living snow fence provides the same public benefit with more appealing scenery than a traditional wooden snow fence. Living snow fences also cost less to maintain than wooden snow fences.

Beaver Rim (Antelope I & II)

This living snow fence site is located approximately 30 miles from Lander along Hwy. 287 (area from mile post marker 46 to 48). Phase I of this project consists of 550 Rocky Mountain Juniper and protects 2200 feet of highway. Phase II of the project consists of 640 Rocky Mountain Juniper and protects 2500 feet of highway. Antelope I was completed in 2007 and Antelope II was completed in 2008

Red Canyon

This living snow fence site is located approximately 30 miles from Lander along Hwy. 28. The project consists of 650 Native Plum and 630 Rocky Mountain Juniper. This living snow fence protects 3000 feet of highway and was completed in 2004.

South Pass

This living snow fence site is located approximately 32 miles from Lander along Hwy. 28. The project consists of 200 chokecherry, 210 Rocky Mountain Juniper, and 60 Limber Pine. This snow fence protects 600 feet of highway and was completed in 2000

Sweetwater Station

This living snow fence site is located approximately 30 miles from Lander along Hwy. 287 (area around mile post marker 45). This project consists of 600 Rocky Mountain Juniper and protects 1760 feet of highway; the project was completed in 2010.

We appreciate the cooperation each landowner has given.