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<br />002504 <br /> <br />Under this agreement, the Board operates an instrumented microclimate <br />network to obtain data for agricultural, environmental, and climato- <br />logical analyses and to assist in monitoring cloud seeding effects. <br />The Board continually updates criteria for guiding cloud seeding <br />decisions, including initiation and termination of seeding. Reclama- <br />tion is performing atmospheric research and cloud seeding field tests <br />including experimental design, processing and analysis of data to <br />evaluate effects and develop cloud models, and coordination of <br />research activities with the overall HIPLEX project. <br /> <br />The Board performs a wi de range of associ ated studi es, i nc 1udi ng <br />investigation of potential crop yield increases and related economic <br />benefits and the effects of additional moisture on insects, crop <br />disease vectors, incremental runoff, and soil infiltration. Findings <br />of a recent study 3/ state that precipitat ion augmentat ion may be <br />more be~eficia1 in-some months than others, depending on the region <br />of the State and type of crop considered. Depending on the rainfall <br />alteration strategies and economic situation assumed, the increase in <br />income from added rainfall is estimated to range from 3 to 12 percent <br />($40 to $191 million). Altering. the precipitation pattern is assumed <br />to decrease the number of workdays in the growi ng season by 1 to <br />2 days each month due to soil moisture content. Streamf10ws would not <br />be increased appreciably by the added precipitation and, because of <br />an assumed 10-percent reduction of rai nfalls greater than 25 mm, <br />flood peaks would be reduced. Literature reviews and discussion <br />workshops in connection with this study concluded that effects on the <br />environment would be small as a result of the estimated nominal <br />rainfall increases. Little effect on pasture stocking rates and <br />forage production is anticipated if the amount of available nitrogen <br />is limited. However, better forage stands, higher conception and <br />calving rates for cows, heavier weaning weights, and some increase in <br />gains of steers and heifers are projected. <br /> <br />CONTRACTOR: Meteorology Research, Inc., A1tadena, California <br />CONTRACT NO. 14-06-D-7657 <br />PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: R. E. Carbone <br />PERIOD: March 14, 1975, to August 31, 1976 <br />FUNDING: FY75 - $28,264 <br />FY76 - $25,319 <br /> <br />Meteorology Research, Inc., extensively modified the M-33 radar <br />system to obtain quantitative measurements of the radar reflectivity <br /> <br />3/ Smith, F. W., "Study of the Effects of Altering the Precipitation <br />Pattern on the Economy and Environment of Kansas," Final report to <br />Kansas Water Resources Board by Kansas State University Agricultural <br />Experiment Station, Manhattan, October 1, 1978. <br /> <br />III-17 <br />