Quantifying runoff rights to cloud seeding augmented snowfall: the ASCE model state water code

TitleQuantifying runoff rights to cloud seeding augmented snowfall: the ASCE model state water code
Publication TypeConference Proceedings
Year of Conference1995
AuthorsDavis, R. J.
Conference Name63rd Annual Western Snow Conference
Series TitleProceedings of the 63rd Annual Western Snow Conference
Date PublishedApril 1995
PublisherWestern Snow Conference
Conference LocationSparks, Nevada
KeywordsCloud seeding, Legal rights, Water rights, Weather modification
Abstract

Snowpack augmentation by cloud seeding is sponsored by organizations seeking to increase runoff. If they wish to obtain prior right to use such increased runoff as against other claimants to the water, they must follow state water rights allocation laws. A few weather modification liability claims cases suggest that persons developing water through weather modification may have a legal right to such augmented streamflow. Additionally a few states provide by statute for water rights to added runoff. But as yet there is no case or statutory law addressing the manner in which the quantity of such water is determined. The recently completed American Society of Civil Engineers Model State Water Rights Codes have established water rights quantification mechanisms. Using techniques of hydrology, meteorology, and civil engineering, water rights claimants under the codes would provide data from a statutory list of relevant factors to state water resources allocation decision makers so they can determine the extent and priority of the augmented water supply and officially recognize a right for that amount of water.

URLsites/westernsnowconference.org/PDFs/1995Davis.pdf