Click here for the 2023-2024 ANNUAL CLOUD SEEDING REPORT
UPPER SNAKE RIVER VALLEY CLOUD SEEDING PROJECT
Augmenting snowpack by a yearly average of 7.5% to increase surface and aquifer water supplies.
Eastern Idaho’s surface and ground water resources of the Snake River Basin have been stressed by drought, population growth, and increasing demands by agriculture, cities, and recreational activities. Severe drought conditions have reinforced the need to use all potential water management tools, including cloud seeding, to enhance the low water supplies.
Cloud Seeding in the Upper Snake River Valley counties officially began in December of 2003. These were annual programs that fluctuated based on budgets and the number of partners.
In 2007, at the request of their sponsors, the Council made a commitment to operate a cloud seeding program that includes a monitoring component to scientifically evaluate the program’s benefits. Bonneville, Clark, Fremont, Jefferson and Madison Counties each purchased five manually operated ground seeders for a total of 25. The seeders are located in Bingham, Bonneville, Clark, Fremont, Madison, Teton Idaho, and Teton Wyoming Counties. The generator locations are above 6,000 feet and placed to impact a target area in the mountains, down-wind from the generator.
In 2011, Idaho Power started cooperating and coordinating with the High Country Cloud Seeding Steering Committee. They have installed 25 remote control ground seeders at higher elevations, which compliment the High Country seeders. In addition, Idaho Power seed favorable storms with aircraft; those storms that the ground seeders wouldn’t be effective or to augment their operations.
High Country is the project fiscal sponsor. The High Country RC&D Cloud Seeding Steering Committee manages the project (25 manually operated ground seeders) by: developing and conducting fund raising efforts, developing budgets and approving costs, and monitoring the results. The current operating budget is raised from 52 sponsors including cities, counties, water districts, conservation districts, local landowners, private business, and the ID Water Resources Board, with major in-kind support from Idaho Power.
Let it Snow, the project contractor based in Clark County, and Idaho Power Company monitor weather conditions including storm patterns, wind speeds, and cloud temperatures to determine when to turn specific generators on and off. Idaho Power provides a year end report, based on their new, state-of-the-art high resolution model. (See the report posted above)
Cloud Seeding in the Upper Snake River Valley counties officially began in December of 2003. These were annual programs that fluctuated based on budgets and the number of partners.
In 2007, at the request of their sponsors, the Council made a commitment to operate a cloud seeding program that includes a monitoring component to scientifically evaluate the program’s benefits. Bonneville, Clark, Fremont, Jefferson and Madison Counties each purchased five manually operated ground seeders for a total of 25. The seeders are located in Bingham, Bonneville, Clark, Fremont, Madison, Teton Idaho, and Teton Wyoming Counties. The generator locations are above 6,000 feet and placed to impact a target area in the mountains, down-wind from the generator.
In 2011, Idaho Power started cooperating and coordinating with the High Country Cloud Seeding Steering Committee. They have installed 25 remote control ground seeders at higher elevations, which compliment the High Country seeders. In addition, Idaho Power seed favorable storms with aircraft; those storms that the ground seeders wouldn’t be effective or to augment their operations.
High Country is the project fiscal sponsor. The High Country RC&D Cloud Seeding Steering Committee manages the project (25 manually operated ground seeders) by: developing and conducting fund raising efforts, developing budgets and approving costs, and monitoring the results. The current operating budget is raised from 52 sponsors including cities, counties, water districts, conservation districts, local landowners, private business, and the ID Water Resources Board, with major in-kind support from Idaho Power.
Let it Snow, the project contractor based in Clark County, and Idaho Power Company monitor weather conditions including storm patterns, wind speeds, and cloud temperatures to determine when to turn specific generators on and off. Idaho Power provides a year end report, based on their new, state-of-the-art high resolution model. (See the report posted above)
Understand Cloudseeding
Cloud seeding does not create clouds.
Clouds are not seeded during unfavorable conditions. ie summer |
Cloud Seeding uses silver Iodide and Propane to form snow crystals.
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Snotel Sites: NRCS employees check snow depth, precipitation, temperature, and soil moisture.
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For More Information about Cloud Seeding in General - Check Out the following websites North American Weather Modification Council: Idaho Power - Cloud Seeding: |
Ground based generators are turned on and off by local landowners.
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