WMOD00317 ‎(2)‎

• Title: A Comparison of the Potential of Cloud Seeding to Enhance Mountain Snowpack in Colorado During Dry, Normal and Wet Winters
• Date: 1/1/1983
• State: CO
• Weather Modification - Doc Type: Report

Impacts on several sectors of the state I s economy--particularly on
the ski industry--were severe. Lift ticket sales declined by an average

of 40 pE~rcent, and some ski areas remained closed for most of the season.

Revenue loss to ski resort communities was estimated at almost $80 million

(Gray, 1979:16). Farmers and ranchers also suffered economic loss and

depletion of rangeland forage. Wind erosion and fire hazards increased,

hydropower generation decreased, and tourism and recreation were reduced.

Governor Richard Larnrn requested that 16 Colorado counties be
declared agricultural disaster areas. A task force charged with
identifying the probable impacts of drought and the state's ability to
respond to them was created. In January 1977 a group of scientists and
water experts assembled by the Governor's Science and Technology Advisory
Council gathered to discuss the use of cloud seeding to augment mountain
snowpack.

Not everyone at this meeting favored the use of seeding. But it was
agreed that if seeding were to be used at all it should be used quickly to
take advantage of any remaining winter moisture opportunities. Shortly
thereafter, a meeting between the governor and legislative leaders led to
passage of House Bill ll60, which appropriated $187,000 for emergency
seeding. '!his appropriation was supplemented by local and federal funds
totalling $62,000.

In the spr ing of 1977 seeding was conducted in the San Juan
Mountains, Climax, and north Front Range areas. During the following
winter all mountain areas in Colorado above 9,500 feet were targeted for
seeding through a program funded by a $350,000 state appropriation (House
Bill l722) supplemented by more than $600,000 in federal and private funds.

DI=ought returned to Colorado during the winter of 1980-8l.
Precipitation during the fall was at record low levels in the central
mountains and even lower than in 1976-77 on the eastern plains. In

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