WMOD00283 ‎(3)‎

• Title: Application of the Colorado River Simulation System in Evaluation of Weather Modification Activity
• Prepared By: Edward M. Novak
• Date: 7/1/1980
• Weather Modification - Doc Type: Report

APPLICATION OF THE COLORADO RIVER SIMULATION
SYSTEM IN EVALUATION OF
WEATHER MODIFICATION ACTIVITY

I NTRODUCTI ON

,

Research under the Water and Power Resources Service's Project Skywater
indicates that the responsible application of the cloud seeding technolo9Y
being developed to augment winter snowfall has the potential of producin9
significant amounts of new runoff into the Colorado River Basin.

The effect of this new water on the Colorado River System has been unknown,
although it has been the subject of frequent speculation.

To provide insight into potential uses and effects of this water, the CRSS
(Colorado River Simulation System) was used in a detailed analysis of
enhanced riverflow and changes in salinity that could be expected as the
result of increased water supplies. The CRSS model had been previously used
and tested on consumptive uses in the Westwide study 1/*. Historical flows
were used as a base in the model's operation. Checks-were also made of power
generation in the model to insure that the simulation of actual power pro-
duct ion was appropri ate. The CRSS (2/, 3/, 4/, 51) is a refined research
model of the river, reflecting water-avaTlabTlity; salinity; the demands on
its water by munlcipal, energy, and agricultural users; and other water
uses.

The Twelve Basin Investigation 6/ provided data for establishing incremental
increases in high-mountain precTpitation, the source of the additional
runoff.

The Water and Power Resources Service (formerly the Bureau of Reclamation)
was directed by Congress in 1977 to "prepare plans for the Colorado River
Augmentation Program" 7/. A cloud seeding program has been proposed for the
San Juan Mountain area-in Colorado which could lead to a Basinwide program
for full operation by as early as 1989_

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

To examine the effect of additional water imposed on the river system in the
model and use of this increment of water, the following subjects were inves-
tigated in the Colorado River Basin:

Water Shortages
Salinity Reduction
International Agreements with Mexico
Flow Response
Reservoir Response
Electric Power Production
Economic Return

*Numbers refer to item~ in bibliography.