WMOD00481

• Title: Managing Snowpack Augmentation Research
• Weather Modification - Doc Type: Report

"

_-.'1e., ,.

J

The design phase of the SCPP began with a preliminary design con-
tract with MBA (MB Associates) followed by a continuing design and eval-
uation contract with NAWC (North American Vieather Consultants). Selec-
tion of the American River Basin as the project area \-laS originally made
on the basis of the HBA study and recommendation. At the request of the
State of Nevada and the recommendation by NA1~C, the area was later ex-
tended to include the Tahoe-Truckee Basin with extended areas of study
surrounding the primary study area (see Figure 2). Review of available
hydrometeorologica1 and climatological data indicated the need for add-
itional information to complete the design.

,.
I
[

i I
!
,
~ .
f.
if
! :

Organization

Purpose

! t
t ;1
p
! Ii
! i
i I
Ii
! I.
i,
I!
~ !
,
[ !
t i
\1
I ~
, i
: I
Ii
11
P
HI
L~
,
I

During 1976, 1977, and 1978 contracts were awarded to the following
organizations to collect data and provide support for field operations:

North American Weather Consultants

Radar climatology, design, and
evaluation

University of Washington

Transport and diffu~ion study

Colorado State University

Satellite support

University of Wyoming

Cloud physics research

University of North Dakota

Radar data processing

Aero Systems, Inc.

Tracer dispensing

.J
'1
I
,
; ~
~ ~
!f
!l
l!
'1
,I
I
I

University of Nevada

Cooperative research

National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration

Doppler radar, acoustic sounder,
and radiometer studies

Atmospherics, Inc.

Data collection and analysis

Electronic Techniques, Inc.

Forecasting, radar, and rawin-
sonde support

In September 1977 the SCPP field office was opened at Auburn, California,
as project headquarters.

With San Diego State University's recommendations as a starting
point for the ecological studies, an agreement was signed with the
Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, U.s. Forest Ser-
vice, t6 direct the Sierra Ecology Project. Work on the project has
included data collection, workshops, and analysis of the effect of snow-
pack increases on the Basin's hydrology. Concurrently, an environmental
assessment has been prepared by OARH and presented at public meetings in
California and Nevada. 0

A societal assessment of the SCPP was conducted in 1975 and 1976
by Human Ecology Research Services with partial supp@rt by grants from
the National Science Foundation. The assessment included a survey of
200 citizens and 48 organizations. The final report published in

6

Foehner