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<br />archiving, and scientific analysis were provided by the DMN in Casablanca. The GOM provided <br />the field operations center and facilities for Morocco's first weather radar in Khouribga, <br />180 kilometers southeast of Casablanca. Rawinsonde launch facilities were built at Beni Mellal and <br />Tissa, about 230 and 260 kilometers southeast of Casablanca, respectively. <br /> <br />Airborne seeding operations were conducted up to the spring of 1986 by four OV-10 aircraft based <br />at Marrakech and thereafter by two King Air 100 aircraft based at Kenitra, 200 kilometers <br />northeast of Casablanca. One of the King Airs was equipped with Morocco's first cloud physics <br />data acquisition system in 1987. In addition, a radar-equipped Alpha Jet was available for high- <br />altitude seeding missions throughout the duration of the project. It was normally based at Meknes. <br /> <br />American assistance provided over $2 million in scientific equipment and supplies. These included <br />the weather radar with its digital recording system, a cloud physics data acquisition system, aircraft <br />navigation systems, a satellite direct-readout ground station and analysis system, 2 rawinsonde <br />systems, 12 microcomputers and software for them, radio communications systems, teiecopier and <br />facsimile data receivers, electronics workshop and test equipment, tools, and miscellaneous other <br />hardware and expendable supplies. The balance of the $4 million was provided in technology <br />transfer, which included long- and short-term training programs, both formal and informal, project <br />design and management, and administrative assistance for procurement. <br /> <br />Scientific basis. - The project was designed to use the latest available technology in winter <br />orographic cloud seeding to increase the precipitation efficiency of cold clouds in the Central High <br />Atlas Mountains in the vicinity of 320 N. and 70 W. The project used silver iodide (AgI) as the <br />seeding agent. Silver iodide particles act as ice nuclei, converting supercooled cloud droplets to ice <br />crystals, which can grow rapidly into snowflakes. The silver iodide was released from aircraft, <br />ground-based seeding generators, or both during periods when seedable clouds existed that could <br />affect the target area. The methods were similar to those successfully employed in operational and <br />research projects in the Sierra Nevada of California, an area with climate and geography similar <br />to those of MoroCco. <br /> <br />Project design. - Due to the severity of the ongoing drought, the cloud seeding plan called for the <br />treatment of all storms with seeding potential that were expected to affect the drainage area of <br />about 7000 km2 feeding Bin El Ouidane reservoir. A target-control design was selected for the <br />statistical evaluation. This design required the selection of a control area near the target. Cloud <br />systems affecting the control area were not to be treated, but measurements would be made for <br />eventual use in the evaluation of seeding effects. Streamflow was selected as the primary response <br />variable for the statistical evaluation because lengthy records existed for the target and control <br />areas. Streamflow is also the variable of primary importance to Moroccan water resources needs. <br /> <br />Major Achievements <br /> <br />1. Implementation of field operations. - The field program was initiated in July 1984 with <br />the construction of facilities and staffing of project headquarters and field sites. Headquarters <br />were set up at the Casablanca Anfa Airport. Field sites, including the radar operations center <br />and a rawinsonde station, were activated. Cloud seeding aircraft were modified for cloud <br />seeding and placed on station at Marrakech. <br /> <br />vi <br /> <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />