The combination of trees and water greatly enhance an area for wildife by providing a dependable water source. Snow trapping is especially important during years when there is minimal runoff. In central Saksatchewan, a caragena shelterbelt 500m long can trap enough snow in an average year to supply a household's water requirements, provided the meltwater is efficiently delivered to the dugout. In areas with low snowfall, a longer shelterbelt may be necessary. The actual amount of snow trapped by the shelterbelt depends on snow fall, density of the tree row and single versus multiple rows.
Snow is blown across fields until it is intercepted by obstacle such as buildings or shelterbelts.
Therefore, a shelterbelt will trap more snow if the field upwind of the tree row is flat and open. Blowing soil, spring runoff, livestock slurry, tumbleweeds and herbicide residues are all possible sources of dugout contamination. A well designed tree planting using the appropriate species will improve dugout water quality, thereby filtering out soil, trash and other contaminants. It is important to plant trees at the proper distance form the dugout to allow airflow over the water. If trees are planted too close to the dugout, aeration may be required to prevent water stagnation.