Laserfiche WebLink
little or no human intervention. In this mode of operation, many test trials can be accumulated over a <br />winter, in simulation of the operational phase of the program. <br />A tracer gas should be used in the test trials to document the passage of propane- seeded air parcels. Ice <br />particle concentrations (IPC) and associated snowfall rates should react to seeding and should be <br />monitored. Some seeding trials will display an obvious effect in the targeted area while others will be <br />impacted by high natural temporal and spatial variations in IPC and snowfall rate. Statistical evaluation <br />is needed to assess highly varying natural cases that are seeded. Contamination is a threat in highly <br />varying winds and must be considered in all trials. There should be monitoring of the SLW approaching <br />the target and control areas by use of a microwave radiometer. The SLW data will be useful to assessing <br />seedability and natural variability in the airmass approaching the target and control areas. Large <br />differences in conditions from target to control may eliminate comparison in a test trial. <br />3.7. Automated Cloud Seeding Operations <br />Automated conduct of seeding needs to be developed and tested. This involves the development of <br />computer software that includes the following components. <br />► Logic to initiate or terminate cloud seeding by individual seeding devices based on checking <br />established criteria built into the software <br />► Logic to interrogate field equipment on the status of local weather measurements and the <br />status of seeding equipment and weather measurement systems <br />► Logic to prepare periodic status reports and disseminate to selected sites <br />► Logic to archive received information <br />► Logic for override and easy updating of selected criteria such as for seeding <br />► Logic to test cloud seeding suspension criteria <br />► Logic to perform quality control and report results <br />The computer software should be installed in the field office main computer server that can communicate <br />with the Reclamation and data analysis group intranets. The software system must have flexibility to <br />incorporate additional seeding or data gathering equipment. This system will act as a controller of cloud <br />seeding (with override), provider of systems and cloud seeding status, and enable data quality checking <br />and archive. The software and communications system should be developed as early as possible for <br />adequate testing and necessary revisions. Development of this software will be an important goal of the <br />design phase. <br />Establishment of the cloud seeding criteria for incorporation into the controlling software will involve the <br />results of field data gathering and analysis. Criteria may differ from one seeding device to another <br />because of local terrain and other conditions. The criteria logic system must have the flexibility for easy <br />revision. An experienced programmer will be needed to handle software development. <br />3.8. Design Phase Costs <br />When the decision is made to proceed further with possibly seeding the Headwaters Region, a detailed <br />plan of the design phase should be developed, along with a detailed budget in current year dollars. <br />Program planning should proceed for selected test studies and modeling, and the equipment and <br />manpower resources needed. Once a program plan is acceptable, final budget planning for the design <br />phase can be accomplished. Past test programs have cost several hundred thousand to several million <br />dollars per year. An estimate of costs for conducting the design phase work is given here for initial <br />14 <br />1 <br />1 <br />1 <br />