CALEDON’S NATURAL SNOW FENCE PROGRAM AIMED AT SAFER WINTER ROADS
While most of us are looking forward to spring and saying farewell to winter driving, Caledon’sPublic Works department is finalizing the details of implementing an environmental program
designed to increase winter road safety.
The Natural Snow Fence program invites farmers with properties along town roads to allow the
Town to utilize a small portion of their corn crop (approximately 12 to 15 rows) as natural snow
fences during the winter months. The rows of corn act as a natural barrier to blowing and
drifting snow and snow drift accumulation. The corn rows trap the snow as it blows across farm
fields and piles it up before it can reach roads, waterways, farmsteads or Caledon’s villages.
“The natural snow fence program is one of those unique initiatives with far-reaching benefits,”
noted Mayor Marolyn Morrison. “While some are obvious, such as improved visibility for
motorists and preventing large drifts that are dangerous to winter driving, others, like needing
less salt and reducing the frequency of sending our snow plows out are also noteworthy.”
Farmers who qualify for the program will receive remuneration from the Town. Farmers are
asked to contact Public Works for a quote at 905.584.2272 x.4328.
For more information about natural snow fences, visit the Town’s website at:
www.caledon.ca/contentc/townhall/departments/publicworks/snowfence.pdf
Interesting program but there maybe less espensive means of achieving your goal. Years agao I lived in Northern Ontario, and trees were planted along the roadside for this reason or hedges. Currently there are various programs supporting the planting of more trees and planting trees offers a more permanent solution without an onging cost as in providing renumeration to farmers or them experiencing a lower yield. The exception may be if there is not enough road allowance to plant the trees. Also there was extensive use of snow fencing which of course does have a yearly cost. Has this program been finalized?
Interesting thoughts Valerie. I think that the corn rows would be the environmentally friendly option if compared to the plastic snow fencing. I noticed this past winter that the corn row method seems to work better than the plastic stuff and maybe even more economically as well when you factor in labour costs for installing and removing it each season. However I’m not sure why it was chosen over trees. I’ll ask the question and have you copied on the response.
Thanks Patti. Glad you found both comments useful and will inquire about the tree option.
Good idea ~ I noticed a farmers’ crop on my stretch of Heart Lake Road this past winter ~ now I know. Trees are definately a grander idea too though, as it will much more scenic and environmentally friendly as they capture some C02. We’re talking mainly along the south part of Caledon, right across east to west there currently are not many trees and the land is flatter than north Caledon, which is hillier and more treed. Tree planting should be pressed as a grander idea to pursue in Caledon, that would be perfect.
Thanks Heather! You and Valerie make an excellent point about the trees and I’m looking into why this wasn’t chosen as an option.
Great idea and glad to hear it!!! I noticed a natural snow fence along King this year!!!