Weather Modification as a Watershed Management Tool

An analysis is given of potential runoff increases produced by weather modification as a watershed management tool in the Southern Sierra Nevada mountains of California. Experience with weather modification operations in this general area shows that significant increases in runoff can be obtained. An evaluation is made of the potential for production of increased water supply for three distinct water producing periods during the year. The advantages of winter operations are the result of the amounts of precipitation during that period. Spring operations provide an excellent opportunity for effective watershed management. The primary advantage of summer operations is in the high value of water during this period.