WMOD00301 ‎(2)‎

• Title: Conceptual Plan to Develop Water Augmentation by Weather Modification in the Colorado River
• Date: 5/14/1979
• Weather Modification - Doc Type: Report

ORA F T

operational application, it is wise that the experiment mimic to
the extent possible the actual operation envisioned to follow."
(page 45)

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The:re are several important general problems or issues that cannot be
met in the confirmatory experiment design but should be studied in
association with the experiment. These include questions on downwind
effects, environmental impacts and operational project evaluation
that are vital in the long-range consideration of the applicability
of weather modification in the Colorado River Basin.

The basic premise for suggesting a future demonstration project at
this time is that it may be difficult for practical decisionmakers to
seriously consider a new technology like weather modification for a
major operational commitment without solid evidence of actual large-
scale water production and other broader impacts. Producing a
substantial augmentation over a period of years sufficient for sound
engineering and economic evaluation and impact assessment are the
prime objectives of the operational demonstration. Embedded cloud
physics studies to form a basis for continued technology improvements
could also be included in demonstration projects.

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The key aspect of beginning demonstration projects depends on the
experimental results. Successful confirmation of snowfall increases

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