|
Background
Cloud seeding has been conducted in the Tahoe area since the 1960's. The original seeding equipment was acquired mainly through U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) grants to DRI (e.g., Pyramid Lake Project). The Ruby Mountain operation started in 1981 using surplus USBR generators. State funding for the program began as early as 1979-80, and continuous State funding has been available since 1984. Four remotely-controlled generators and two weather stations were added in 1992 through a special USBR grant ($300,000). The Desert Research Institute has designed and operated the Nevada State program since its inception.
Project Area
The project area covers the basins of Lake Tahoe, the Truckee River, the Carson River, the Walker River, the Upper Humboldt River (Ruby Mountains), the South Fork of the Owyhee River (Tuscarora Mountains), and the Reese River (Toiyabe Mountains). WMI performs flight operations in the Tahoo-Truckee, Walker, and Carson Basins.
Tahoe-Truckee Target Area
Carson Basin and Walker Basin Target Areas
Project Information
METHOD OF OPERATION:
Primarily, ground-based generators are used to burn a solution of silver iodide-sodium
iodide and salt in acetone to release silver chloro-iodide particles which
create additional ice crystals, then snow, in winter clouds. Weather conditions
are selected to optimize fallout in targeted basins. All generators are remotely
operated by radio or cellular telephone. A seeding aircraft is at times used
to augment ground seeding operations. The aircraft releases AgI from pyrotechnic
flares or solution burners. Dry ice is also used in airport fog clearing operations.
Seeding Equipment:
» Nineteen (19) remotely controlled AgI generators.
» One (1) Cessna 340 aircraft outfitted with ejectable flare racks,
BIP flare racks, and a dry ice hopper.
Supporting Equipment:
Weather stations on at least one seeding generator in each targeted basin.
DRI/NWS hydro-meteorological network in the Tahoe area - access to RAWS, SNOTEL
and other meteorological data networks through the DRI Western Regional Climate
Center - NEXRAD radar and GOES satellite imagery - the DRI trace chemistry
laboratory - DRI microwave radiometers for sensing cloud liquid water - an
NCAR ice nucleus counter for detecting AgI plumes - laser imaging probes for
measuring cloud particles.
Supporting Personnel:
Three full time technicians who install and maintain all generator networks
and fabricate new generators - two part time professionals who forecast seeding
operations, implement design changes, evaluate operations, monitor environmental
aspects of the program and evaluate seeding effectiveness.
Weather Modification, Inc.
• 3802 20th Street North
• Fargo, ND 58102 USA
Phone: 1-701-235-5500
• Fax: 701-235-9717
©2000-2006 Weather Modification, Inc.
All information on this website is the sole property of Weather Modification, Inc. and cannot be reproduced
without prior written consent. All information is ©Weather Modification, Inc. unless otherwise noted.
Send comments on this website to the Webmaster.