Potential of Precipitation Modification

The potential cost advantage of precipitation modification over other methods of increasing water resources is conditional upon the percentage precipitation increase over climatology in the designated watershed. Subject to the reasonableness of a variety of assumptions the water supply in the Connecticut River Watershed in the 1980s could realize a cost advantage from precipitation modification if precipitation increases greater than 4% can be realized over reservoir watersheds. Likewise the electric utilities in the Connecticut River Watershed could realize a cost advantage from precipitation modification if precipitation increases of 8% can be realized. Present and projected water user activities and agreements were surveyed and the need identified for water augmentation over the next 30 yrs. Subject to modeling assumptions estimates were made for potential precipitation modification supply and costs. Costs were developed for supply alternatives. Cost advantages were estimated by a cost comparison.