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<br />It <br /> <br />;; <br /> <br />implemented in the operational seeding phase. These must be tested in the design phase. Should the <br />automated systems work without local power plant generation at most locations, the program <br />operational costs are significantly reduced. <br /> <br />. The conduct of an operational program over the relatively large Headwaters Region will cause <br />scrutiny from the scientific community, the general public and water interests of the Platte River. <br />Water users will be concerned about scientific proof of additional water. Design studies must <br />produce a viable operational program plan with a credible evaluation component to deal with what is <br />likely to be considerable program scrutiny. <br /> <br />3.2. Design Phase Components <br /> <br />The design phase must produce answers to questions concerning influences on cloud seeding of the <br />regional winter weather, clouds that form in the Headwaters Region, terrain and intra-area differences. <br />Questions regarding the seedability factor of clouds previously discussed must be further addressed. The <br />accuracy of cloud modeling for that area must be determined early in the program. Design studies should <br />be selected and structured to speed the advent of the operational program, yet provide the necessary <br />answers and support that will withstand scientific scrutiny. The proposed design phase time length is <br />recommended to be three years. This phase length fits well with obtaining permits for installing field <br />equipment, conducting cloud seeding operations, and satisfying environmental compliance. Additionally, <br />there is the need for two years offield studies for developing a seeding plan, determining equipment <br />locations and testing automated seeding and data gathering systems. <br /> <br />The principal components of the design phase field studies are outlined in the following. <br /> <br />· Conduct weather and cloud modeling during the first year ofthe program. Analyze modeling results <br />and previous information from the Headwaters Region. A decision would be made to continue or <br />discontinue the study based on results in this study component. <br /> <br />· Plan a limited field program during the first year of the program and install field equipment in the late <br />summer and fall of the first year. <br /> <br />Conduct limited field studies for two winters. Evaluate results and determine the feasibility of an <br />operational program in the summer ofY2002. Based on randomized results, a decision would be <br />made to continue or discontinue the study. <br /> <br />3.3. Cloud Modeling Studies <br /> <br />Numerical modeling of winter orographic clouds has significantly improved in the past 20 years and with <br />faster computers increased the understanding of cloud airflow and microphysical processes (Young, <br />1974; Cotton et aI., 1986; Bruintjes et aI., 1992). High resolution three-dimensional modeling can now <br />enable the study of cloud precipitation processes for areas such as the Headwaters Region. A few <br />qualitative comparisons of the RAMS model's simulation of several days of 1999 winter precipitation <br />conditions in the Headwaters Region are given in section 4.6. I. Modeling with a sophisticated model <br />such as RAMS is needed to assist the design process for the Headwaters Region. Model runs should <br />include simulation of effects of cloud seeding for comparison with the nonseeded model results. <br />Comparisons of modeling results with field measurements are needed to study model deficiencies and <br />possibly improve the model. Routine application of a model during the operational seeding phase will <br /> <br />9 <br />