SoCal water officials test cloud seeding in effort to increase region's water supply
Southern Californian water officials are implementing a cloud seeding pilot program in an effort to increase water supply in the region.
Cloud Seeding Pilot Program
Water officials in Southern California have launched a four-year pilot program to test cloud seeding as a method to increase the region's water supply.
The program, which started in November, aims to increase precipitation by 5% to 15% by using particles, specifically silver iodide, to generate or enhance precipitation in clouds.
The particles are released into the atmosphere by 15 ground-based seeding generators located near the base of mountains surrounding the Santa Ana River watershed basin.
The Role of the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority
The Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority, comprised of five water districts in the Inland Empire and Orange County, is jointly involved in the cloud seeding project.
The headwaters of the region's water supply are located in the mountains surrounding the Santa Ana River watershed basin, where the seeding generators are strategically placed.
The goal is for the snowfall resulting from the increased precipitation to melt and replenish the water supply in the rivers and reservoirs of the region.
Potential Benefits and Future Plans
If successful, the cloud seeding pilot program could reduce Southern California's reliance on imported water and increase the overall amount of local water available.
Local water agencies, such as the Western Municipal Water District, are hopeful that the program will lead to more reliable and cost-effective water sources.
The data collected during the pilot program will be used to evaluate the program's benefits and determine whether to continue it in the future.
