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<br /> <br />'i' ':;" "!.' <br /> <br /> <br />-=.......... <br />~ ......~ <br />\',....... <br />......r <br />e. :~ ;.:.!..JJ;. <br /> <br />'. . <br /> <br />I <br />) <br />I <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />Scientists discuss a research project in Skywater's forecasting facility at the Bureau of Reclamation Engineer- <br />ing and Research Center in Denver. <br /> <br />extent of the precipitation within the cloud <br />and its response to seeding agents. <br /> <br />n ]"'1' '''I'''"i'l'',",N''1ii~'''-' '\-~l"'"" "''1 " ,- , <br />t' ," {t,;;, ";'r'~t:f)~~ ~i~ "". ~1Rr;~,f 'j <br />t' . . l, SlJlf//lJ81; 'fJ!JlI <br />t 1 '! "1 '> ~'" ! l <br /> <br />[ 1 : I '71'Et18/l!:i : <br /> <br />I I" Ii, ~.I '''.f;;, . tie " \ <br />~ ,~ .,,, ,....'" 1 1"'" ,:c';, x, , t , <br /> <br />THE SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS of the <br />science are far-reaching and must be an <br />integral part of the developing technology. <br />Those involved in Skywater's research are <br />responsive to an increased public interest <br />in the potential benefits and disbenefits of <br />precipitation management. <br /> <br />Bureau experience clearly indicates that <br />sociological problems can be resolved <br />when a continuing information and an ef- <br />fective education program are coupled with <br />a sincere effort to involve local people in <br />the decisionmaking process. <br /> <br />The major benefits related to management <br />of mountain snowpacks can be weighed in <br /> <br />5 <br /> <br />relation to prolonged spring and summer <br />streamflow. This water can be used down- <br />stream to generate electricity, irrigate <br />crops, and supply the many needs of a <br />thirsty population. In the immediate re- <br />gion, additional snow may extend the <br />winter recreation season, improve timber <br />quality, and increase forage for livestock <br />and wildlife. Direct benefits are estimated <br />to exceed costs at a ratio of at least 10:1. <br />An input-output analysis of the potential <br />effect of 1.8 million acre-feet of increased <br />streamflow in the lower main stem of the <br />Colorado River showed that a benefit-cost <br />ratio as high as 80: 1 is possible. <br /> <br />Disbenefits from orographic seeding ap- <br />pear to be quite small. The increased flow <br />of water could increase silting and, under <br />some circumstances, the price of agricul- <br />tural or industrial products may be <br />depressed because of the greater produc- <br />tivity in the area affected by the additional <br />water. More snow can cause increased <br />snow removal costs and may require ad- <br />ditional avalanche protection. <br /> <br />, <br />, <br />i <br />1 <br />I <br />~ <br />