It’s not all Ullr… Cloud seeding has been helping to give our winters a boost for some time now. You may have even noticed one of the generators burning on a snowy night as you drive through Almont. Cloud seeding cannot create a snowstorm but it can help increase the precipitation (snow) from a storm that already exists.
The Upper Gunnison Basin Cloud Seeding Program started over 20 years ago. After a significant drought in 2002, a study was conducted by Gunnison County and the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District (UGRWCD). From that, the Upper Gunnison Basin Cloud Seeding Program was born. Since the 2002/2003 season, the program has grown to 15 generators, on both public and private land, throughout the valley. At an estimated $0.53 per acre-foot annually, cloud seeding is an affordable form of augmentation water for the river basin. In its success, the program is adding a new remote generator to its operations. Additionally, the UGRWCD is seeking new funding partners for the program. Their hope is to continue to add more generators, help improve drought conditions and the low reservoir levels that have been persistent over the years.
So how does it work? In a nutshell, the process uses manual and/or remote controlled generators and propane to blast a mix of silver iodide and sodium iodide into the atmosphere. This solution attracts liquid particles in the cloud and the water molecules develop into ice crystals. Read more on this fascinating program and how it works here: Cloud Seeding Adds To Local Winter
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