What Are Catch Fences?
Catch fences are engineered barriers designed to intercept and contain falling rocks before they reach roads, railways, or developed areas. Acting as a flexible yet strong defense system, these barriers absorb and dissipate the kinetic energy generated by rockfall, preventing damage to infrastructure and reducing the risk to human safety.
Unlike rigid retaining walls, catch fences deform under impact, spreading energy across the system’s mesh, cables, and anchors. This dynamic design provides superior energy absorption while allowing the fence to withstand multiple rockfall events with minimal maintenance.
Each fence is strategically placed based on slope conditions, expected rockfall trajectories, and site accessibility. Whether installed temporarily during construction or as a permanent stabilization system, catch fences play a vital role in reducing geohazard risks across Canada’s mountainous and hilly regions.
