The initial cost of an earthern structure is much less than any manufactured material structure. The cost and maintenance of earthern structures is due to the labor intensive factors such as moving material. The design of these structures is very similiar to that of straight and curved manufactured walls with the same physical requirements.
Earthen mounds are used as velocity reducing structures where the avalanches are of medium size. These structures greatly increase the frictional area and disturb the concentration of flow. They are usually placed within the track of the avalanche or at the toe. Earthen mounds that are placed at the toe of the flow field precede a catchment that is used as a storage bank for the avalanche.
The disadvantages to using earthen mounds is the impact they have on the surrounding area from extensive earthworking as well as the difficulty of removing snow from between the mounds.