National
Snow Load
Information

Why Snow Load Information?

A great deal of confusion currently exists among engineers, architects, recreation specialists, and maintenance personnel concerning the proper snow loading to use for the design and maintenance of trail bridges, building roofs, and other structures in mountainous, high snow load areas.

Snow loads are influenced by elevation, general weather and moisture patterns, slope direction, exposure, roof (or trail bridge) configuration, and wind direction and severity.

Overestimation of snow loads can unnecessarily increase the cost of construction. Underestimation of snow loads can result in premature failure, high maintenance costs, resource damage, and, in some cases, safety issues.

Summer and winter photographs of the same building.

These photos were taken by Roxie Baldwin in 2002 at Mirror Lake on the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. The site is located in the Snowy Range Mountain Range in Wyoming at an elevation of approximately 10,500 feet.

Purpose of This Web Site

The purpose of this Web site is to provide ground snow load analysis information and data gathered from all 50 States. Each state has a listing of building code and applicable guidelines for snow loads, as well as details about where the snow load information may be found or purchased.

Please refer to the International Building Code (IBC) (http://www.iccsafe.org/e/category.html) or ASCE 7, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures (http://www.pubs.asce.org/) for roof snow load determination and requirements.

Acknowledgements

James Scott Groenier, Project Leader, Email: jgroenier@fs.fed.us
Mary Trankel, Web Development, Email: mtrankel@fs.fed.us
Sara Lustgraaf, Graphic Designer
Shanon Boehlke, Web Assistant

Project proposed by: Merv Eriksson, Regional Bridge Engineer, Region 6, USDA Forest Service

Disclaimer

The USDA Forest Service hereby gives notice that the information herein contained shall not create any warranty, expressed or implied. The person or organization using this information waives and relinquishes any and all claims against the United States of America, its officers, employees, and project cooperators, for any loss, damage, personal injury, or death incidental to, or occurring as a consequence of, the use thereof.

The use of trade, firm, or corporation names in this Web site is for the information and convenience of the reader. Such use does not constitute official endorsement or approval by the U.S. Department of Agriculture of any product or service to the exclusion of others that may be suitable.

We appreciate your interest. If you have any questions, or would like further assistance, please contact Scott Groenier at the Missoula Technology and Development Center at (406) 329-4719 or jgroenier@fs.fed.us.