TY - Generic T1 - Developing techniques for measuring precipitation T2 - 46th Annual Western Snow Conference Y1 - 1978 A1 - Foehner, O.H. KW - Precipitation gages AB - Although precipitation has been measured for thousands of years, its reliability has been frequently (and justifiably) questioned. Within Project Skywater, a variety of field programs from California to Kansas underwrite instrument development and testing to improve reliablility and accuracy of data collection over wide areas at reasonable cost. Skywater data collection systems range from fence post gages to satellites. Instruments such as auto siphons and digitally recording radar have been tested with varying degrees of success. When measuring snowfall, comparisons indicated that both the snow pillow and the heated tipping bucket gage tended to undermeasure, while standard weighing bucket gages are subject to bridging and in heavy snowfall areas do not have adequate capacity. Although large orifice, high capacity weighing bucket gages hold promise of avoiding these problems, additional field tests are needed. Data relay alternatives have also been investigated. The Landsat satellite has been tested and compared with more conventional telemetry. The limited periods of response available from orbiting satellites has led to a current test with GOES for more frequent interrogations. JF - 46th Annual Western Snow Conference T3 - Proceedings of the 46th Annual Western Snow Conference PB - Western Snow Conference CY - Otter Rock, Oregon UR - sites/westernsnowconference.org/PDFs/1978Foehner.pdf ER - TY - Generic T1 - Weather modification - a major resource tool T2 - 45th Annual Western Snow Conference Y1 - 1977 A1 - Foehner, O.H. KW - Economic aspects of weather modificatio, Weather modification AB - Weather modification has been identified as a significant source of new water in several major planning documents including the 'Westwide Study' and 'The Report on Water for Energy in the Upper Colorado River Basin.' Project Skywater's results support these conclusions. There is increasing evidence that the potential for increasing the water supply of the Western United States through snow augmentation is very good. Recent evaluation of winter experiments provides new support for the estimated potential increase in snowfall with cloud seeding. A study is now underway to identify seedability criteria and increase efficiency through better control of seeding operations. Both additional research and new operational application of the existing technology are progressing in a number of locations including California, Utah, and Colorado.The impact on energy production, irrigation, water quality, municipal and industrial use, and recreation is significant. JF - 45th Annual Western Snow Conference T3 - Proceedings of the 45th Annual Western Snow Conference PB - Western Snow Conference CY - Albuquerque, New Mexico UR - sites/westernsnowconference.org/PDFs/1977Foehner.pdf ER -