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<br />e <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />to be operated in a network configuration over a wide area. Thus, access to the barrier <br />top and around it is very important. <br /> <br />Practical access to mountain regions, including the transport of equipment and supplies, <br />is possible by three means. . These are, in decreasing order of practicality and economy, <br />truck on all-weather road, oversnow vehicle (snowmobile) and helicopter. Helicopter <br />transport is necessary where roads or trails do not exist for truck or oversnow vehicle <br />travel. Helicopter use is expensive; moreover, it is impractical during bad weather. <br />However, installation and maintenance of seeding generators at remote, high-altitude <br />sites often require helicopter tral)sport. Mountain observatories have been maintained <br />during winter by oversnow vehicles, particularly where heavy equipment and stores can <br />be transported in by truck during the summer or fall. Of course, the most economical and <br />flexible situation is offered by all-weather roads and four-wheel drive vehicles, but few <br />mountain regions have such access. Even where roads exist, travel to some equipment <br />(e.g., precipitation gauges) usually is by oversnow vehicle. Consequently, rugged terrain <br />with steep gradients, areas with high avalanche hazard, and heavily forested areas <br />without trails, should be avoided in experimental area selection. <br /> <br />Travel by motorized equipment, including helicopters, is prohibited in wilderness areas <br />and in some parks and other recreation areas. In addition, operation 'of even simple <br />mechanical equipment such as precipitation gauges is not allowed in wilderness areas. <br />Consequently, all wilderness areas are unsuitable for the planned direct detection <br />experiments. Wilderness areas may be operationally seeded in the future, as several are <br />at present. However, the inability to operate observing equipment eliminates many of the <br />high elevation regions of the Colorado River Basin from consideration as experimental <br />areas. <br /> <br />Another, perhaps obvious, experimental area requirement is that it have high elevation <br />terrain; that is, mountains. All else being equal, a higher elevation experimental target <br />area is better. The main reason is an enhanced frequency of SLW cloud cold enough for <br />nucleation. A large fraction of winter storms appear to be too warm for llI'ound-based <br />seeding with AgI. This is a particular problem in the southern portions of the Basin, and <br />at lower elevations. <br /> <br />Wherever practical, ground-based seeding is much preferred to airborne seeding because it <br />is far more economical, and is practical during periods with strong winds, turbulence and <br />heavy icing, all of which hinder aircraft safety. Even aircraft equipped for flight into <br />known icing conditions cannot stay in a heavy icing environment (often corresponding to <br />large seeding potential) for a prolonged period. Consequently, the direct detection seeding <br />experiments will emphasize ground-based seeding. This technique appears to offer the <br />most cost-effective alternative for increasing water production in the Upper Colorado <br />River Basin. <br /> <br />Two types of seeding agents will be used during the experimental propane, silver iodide <br />(AgI) and propane. Seeding with propane (or any substance that chills the air below - <br />400C) can nucleate ice particles between 0 and about -80C where conventional types of <br />AgI generators and solutions appear to be ineffective. During some storm stages, SLW is <br />frequently warmer than -80C near many mountain barriers. Ground-based propane <br /> <br />3 <br />