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<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 /> <br />EXECUTIVE SUMMARY <br /> <br />1.0 Introduction <br /> <br />At the request of the Directors, Division of Energy Demonstration and <br />Technology, and Air and Water Resources, a proposal was submitted by the <br />Division of Atmospheric Resources Research, Bureau of Reclamation, outlining a <br />three-phased approach to exploring the feasibility of enhancing runoff into the <br />Tennessee River by cloud seeding over the eastern TVA watershed. The three pro- <br />posed phases were: <br /> <br />1. Meteorological studies to determine the feasibility of cloud seeding <br />over this region. <br /> <br />2. An exploratory field phase to determine cloud properties for deve- <br />loping seeding hypotheses. <br /> <br />3. A demonstration program to evaluate an operational seeding program. <br /> <br />It was outlined that TVA officials would review the results presented at the end <br />of each phase before the next phase would be implemented. This arrangement <br />would make it possible for TVA to evaluate the potential benefit/cost ratio and <br />reduce the risk of unwanted or .undesirable effects before proceeding to the next <br />phase. <br /> <br />Phase I is reported on here. Its purposes were to: <br /> <br />1. Iaentify precipitation events during the months of March, April and <br />May for the period of record within the study area. This study examines <br />precipitation records in order to gain perspective on the represent- <br />ativeness of recent dry winters. <br /> <br />2. Determine the organization and structure of clouds and precipitation <br />systems affecting the eastern TVA region. This study examines available <br />data sets in order to determine if a precipitation augmentation poten- <br />tial exists over the study area. The results of this study infer the <br />potential for various possible seeding strategies within candidate cloud <br />systems. They have important implications as to how an operational <br />program should be conducted. <br /> <br />3. Determine the benefit-cost ratio of an operational cloud seeding <br />program within the project area. This study compares the amount of <br />water likely to be delivered by precipitation enhancement and the bene- <br />fits of this water to the cost of its production. <br /> <br />The results of these studies form a scientific and economic foundation <br />on which to evaluate the implementation of the second phase of this <br />three-phase study. <br /> <br />xiv <br />