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000870 In 1993, Reclamation completed its report, "Validation of Precipitation Management by Seeding Winter Orographic Clouds in the Colorado River Basin" which presented a plan for a proposed 8-year Colorado River Enhanced Snowpack Test (CREST) that has not been implemented. The objective ofthe CREST was to obtain scientific proof that properly conducted seeding of winter orographic clouds in the Colorado River Basin will beneficially and cost- effectively enhance snowpack and subsequent runoff without deleterious effects on the environment. Relamation suggested that April through July total runoff would increase at least 10 percent in most watersheds for a 10 percent increase in the mean snowpack. Runoff increases up to 20 percent may be expected from some drainages. Conversely, drainages that experience high evapotranspiration and other water losses may produce less than 10 percent runoff increases. CREST did not proceed. There are some precipitation management programs in existence today. Reclamation should make an evaluation ofthe status ofthe technology, its potential for augmenting the Colorado River water supply and for mitigating climate change, and recommend, in consultation with the Basin States whether CREST or a similar type program should be conducted now in the Colorado River Basin. AUTHORITY: (identity existing or new) COST: FUNDING SOURCE: ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT: (categorical exclusionlEIS/other) ENVIRONMENTAL OR ESA ISSUES: NEED FOR RULES AND REGULATIONS: · Review Basin wide vegetation management for water supply improvement. Similar to precipitation management, the Basin States have pursued in the past vegetation management as a means of augmenting the Colorado River supply. The Basin States worked with the United States Forest Service to include water supply enhancement in the Forest Services's comprehensive forest management plans for National Forests in the Colorado River Basin. Vegetation management and precipitation management if done in a coordinated manner can produce greater results than if done separately. Reclamation in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service and in coordination with the National Academy of Science study on wildfire management should review the potential for augmenting the Colorado River water supply through vegetation management and in concert with precipitation management. It was previously believed that the two in combination could increase the Colorado River Basin water supply yield by 10 percent or approximately 1.5 million acre-feet per year. -14-