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Pass experiments. Newer developments were not to be included so that a definite level of existing technology could bE! tested. Proj ect design and equip- ment would remain essentially unaltered during the proj ect period. Other pilot projects could be implemented to test new developments when solid evi- dence of improved seeding results or efficiency were obtained. The Colorado River Basin Pilot Project was to concentrate on evalu- ating the additional precipitation resulting from large-scale seeding. Emphasis was to be placed on studying the associated social and environmental problems of seeding and the total operational costs of seeding. It was also planned to provide limited observations to learn more about the physical and dynamic processes involved in the atmosphere between the release of silver iodide from the generator to measurement of snow on the ground. Supplementalobserva- tions were proposed to utilize the opportunities provided by large-scale seeding for studying and increasing man's knowledgE~ of seeding processes. 1. 3 PROJECT AREA The Colorado River Basin Pilot Proj ect as established in Colorado State University's design initially included a 3,300 square mile area in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado (Figure 1-1) where elevations generally exceed 9,500 feet. This is the area where deep snowpacks accumulate averaging up to 7 feet, equivalent to 30 inches of water. During the winter season, mid- October through mid-May, precipitation averages 24 inches over the area with over 40 inches received on the high ridges and peaks. Seeding experiments at Climax Colorado and at Wolf Creek Pass indicate snowfall in this area could be increased as much as 30 to 35 percent each winter season by seeding all favor- able events. The proj ect area was divided into four subareas according to the wind directions most significant in producing snowfall in each area. These were numbered in their respective priority for best seeding with Subarea 1 having the most favorable seeding opportunities with more warm, moist, southwest flow situations, best conditions and access for evaluation, and least expected social and environmental problems. Subarea 4 has the least number of favorable seed- ing opportunities with more cold northwest flow storms, more rugged access for evaluation, more complex terrain, and more social and environmental problems, including the severe avalanche area on Red Mountain Pass. 1-3