WMOD00568

• Project Name: Snowater
• Title: Snow Water Augmentation for the Eastern Slopes of the Rockies - Stage I: Technology Adaptation
• Date: 6/1/1986
• Weather Modification - Doc Type: Report

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1.2 THE PROBLEM

Provision of adequate water supplies to fulfill future needs and
permit expansion of irrigation-based agriculture is a problem for
southern Alberta. This problem is amplified in winters with below
normal snow accumulation in the mountains.

According to the Environment Council of Alberta, the potential
shortage of water is particularly acute for the Oldman River basin
which currently has over 664,000 irrigated acres, with a potential of
930,000 irrigated acres. Extensive review and planning options have
been made for this region. Methods of increasing the available water
supply have been noted but their viability remains uncertain because
of high capital costs.

1.3 THE PROPOSED SOLUTION

This proposal seeks support to acquire and adapt snow augmentation
technology to Alberta. This technology has the potential to increase
water s~pplies for southern Alberta by 10 to 15 percent. Recent
decisions by the government of Alberta to increase irrigation
capability in the southern part of the province assures the ability to
effectively manage additional runoff from augmented mountain snowfall.

A four year project. SNOWATER 1. is proposed. In the first two years.
snow augmentation technology would be acquired, seeding trials
conducted, and experimental hypotheses developed. A Seeding
Opportunity Recognition System and a Seeding Delivery System would be
developed. Additionally, a Physical Effects Measurement System would
be implemented. A field test of all systems would be carried out in
the third year. In the fourth year a Final Report with
recommendations would be submitted. SNOWATER II, Technology
Demonstration. could begin as early as the fifth year. Principle
activities of the project are shown in Figure 1 together with
estimated costs by activity and by year. The major field components of
SNOWATER are shown schematically in Figure 2.

Economic, social, and environmental studies would be carried out
beginning in SNOWATER I and continuing in SNOWATER II.

The- Alberta Research Council would provide the overall management of
the SNOWATER project, assigning the responsibility for project
direction to a .senior scientist/manager. This position would be
responsible for the management of the project in response to
scientific requirements and liaison with Research Council, provincial,
interprovincial, contracting and advisory agencies. The director
would be responsible for project design and credibility.

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