WMOD00390

• Title: A Proposed Wintertime Weather Modification Research Program for Colorado
• Date: 1/1/1980
• State: CO
• Weather Modification - Doc Type: Report

II. THE DEVELOPMENT OF A DEMONSTRATION-TYPE
RESEARCH PROGRAM BY LOCAL INTERESTS

Wintertime weather modification programs have been active in
Colorado for the past 20 to 25 years. Initial programs were
primarily research in nature and were investigating the fundamental
theories and application concepts related to wintertime orogoraphic
cloud seeding. This basic research continued for about 10 years
after which a second generation of more intensive research
programs were initiated based upon the findings and indications
derived from the earlier programs.
Although some uncertainties still existed following the
completion of the second generation research programs, a growing
number of scientists were convinced that enough of the basic
concepts of wintertime orographic cloud seeding had been verified
to progress to some type of operational or demonstration-type
program to further prove or demonstrate the applicability of
this relatively new technology.2,5,6
At the same time agricultural water users, recreational
entities and municipal water supply agencies were aware of this
emerging new technology. They were eager to put it to use in
order to increase snowpacks where water supplies were in jeopardy
either because of increased demand or because temporarily dry
weather patterns persisted over all or part of Colorado.
Over the past five winter seasons several operational
weather modification programs have existed in Colorado. Some of
these programs have been on a very large scale. Since their start
in the 1975-1976 winter season, these operational programs have
in part been paid for by local agricultural water users, ski
resorts or county and municipal water interests. At times some
State and Federal funds have been made available during and
following more severe drought conditions.
Because of their persistence in promoting operational
wintertime cloud seeding programs and because of the increased
public exposure to the new technology of wintertime cloud
seeding, several concerns became apparent to these program

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