WMOD00305

• Title: Weather Modification Design Study for Streamflow Augmentation in the Northern Sierra Nevada - Volume 1
• Prepared For: US Dept. of Interior
• Prepared By: MBAssociates
• Date: 7/1/1976
• State: CA
• Weather Modification - Doc Type: Report

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under consideration is presented. Precipitation rates and duration as a
function of elevation are related to the climatology and cloud physics peculiar
to Sierra Nevada winter storms. The results of the hydrology portion of the
study are presented with an emphasis on the run-off enhancement potential
as a function of the type of precipitation and target area. Then a review of
the possible uses of simulation models in a pilot program and the state of
model development available for thes e applications is discussed.

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This background information is brought together and synthesized
in Volume II. Based primarily on CENSARE results but with consideration
given to the results of many other programs, the seedability characteristics
for Sierra Nevada storms are developed. Then a physical model of the
precipitation mechanisms of the Sierra Nevada is developed. This model
is used to establish a series of hypotheses with respect to the varying and
mixed processes found in the Sierra Nevada. This model and related hypotheses
form the background against which detailed characteristics of the statistical
design are presented.

Each of the first two volumes contains an appendix. The
first presents a review of existing models that might be applicable to studies,
forecasting and evaluation of the cloud physics and storm systems of the
Sierra Nevada. Special emphas is is given to the pos sible model uses is
assessing seeding potential. The second presents case studies conducted in
support of the mesoscale climatology and demonstrates a number of factors
reflected in the physical model presented in Volume 1.

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The research results presented in this report were developed
through the combined efforts of members of the staff of MBAssociates and
Meteorology Research, Inc. under the direction of Dr. C. C. Lovell.
Consultants for this part of the study included Dr. Walter Rowland, California
State University at Fresno and Drs. Kenneth Young and Robert Gall at the
University of Arizona, who conducted the review of models presented in
. the appendix to the first volume, and members of Professor L. O. Grant's
staff at Colorado State Unive rs ity.

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Members of the MBA and MRI staffs participating in the study
are listed below:

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