Watershed hydrometeorological data required for weather modification

TitleWatershed hydrometeorological data required for weather modification
Publication TypeConference Proceedings
Year of Conference1972
AuthorsElliott, R. D., and Hannaford J. F.
Conference Name40th Annual Western Snow Conference
Series TitleProceedings of the 40th Annual Western Snow Conference
Date PublishedApril 1972
PublisherWestern Snow Conference
Conference LocationPhoenix, Arizona
KeywordsCloud seeding, Water supply forecasting, Weather modification evaluation
Abstract

The hydrometeorological data in five western mountain watersheds were reviewed and deficiencies in existing data required for planning of large scale research weather modification projects were noted. Ideally the additional data needed for each major watershed includes a base station for project control, several climate stations to record areal coverage of precipitation and standard meteorological parameters and one mountain observatory unit for the observation of special meteorological parameters and snow quality data. Studies of existing data reveals little or no tendency for snowpack to level off or to decrease at higher elevations. Estimates of ten percent increase in precipitation during the October through April seeding periods could increase the average annual runoff by 2.5 million acre feet within the five large watersheds and an additional 1 million acre feet around the periphery of these watersheds. Extending the seeding program into May and June could increase the runoff from the five study basins by 440,000 acre feet, but caution is needed in seeding during this period because of undesirable flood potentials.

URLsites/westernsnowconference.org/PDFs/1972Elliott.pdf