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» Weather modification for rainfall

Even small percentage increase in rainfall has a large impact on rainfall gain to irrigation and catchments. This fact makes weather modification the cheapest water available from any method because only a small increase in rainfall equals or betters any other form of obtaining water. Larger gains reduce relative cost as more water is obtained.

Even though a percentage increase in rainfall may seem poor value for money, 1mm of rain over 1km² equates to 1 Megalitre (1,000,000 litres of water). Catchments with heavier rain have more runoff, so small increases in rainfall actually have marked effects on dam levels. More water on the ground takes longer to evaporate, benefiting agriculture and crops.

Annual rainfall after 20% cloud seeding increase.

Note: Performance variation should be expected due to the changing nature of the climate. Differences in latitude and local climatology: BAT tactics and technologies ensure higher than past, traditional outcomes. Average gains in rainfall around 20% have occurred after cloud seeding in the past and are used here as a guide only, to give a general illustration of water gains and costs. Larger, smaller and no gains have also been experienced, variability of suitable clouds and other factors vital for weather modification changes and varies results obtained.

» Irrigation

Increased water for crops allows water to penetrate deeper into the soil and roots because the water is on the ground for longer, and more water soaks deeper into the ground. Additional rainwater provided by weather modification takes longer to evaporate, (ground, crops and grass stay moist longer). Increased energy and time is required to deplete it compared to lower rainfall, allowing plant roots to draw more water into the roots and leaves. Increased humidity at ground level also increases growth, and it takes longer for an area to dry out.

Irrigation costs in Australia alone, per year exceed $12 billion. Many farmers are under pressure from the Government to give up traditional sources of water such as bores or rivers for environmental reasons.

» Pre and post weather modification: boosting local humidity (exaggerated graph)

» Catchments

Local evaporation and ground absorption rates dictate how much rainfall water becomes catchment. Typically 80% to 90% of total rainfall water is lost before reaching a dam in arid conditions. As rainfall improves losses to evaporation and ground absorption are lower, giving more run off (and water), exponentially increasing returns, which is why floods can occur quite quickly, regardless of how dry it has been.

Improved rainfall reduces ground absorption loss from catchment areas  

Catchments and irrigation facilities are generally engineered to utilise an areas known annual rainfall: usually to an areas driest known conditions. Weather modification boosts rain back closer to average standard which dams and catchments were engineered for, during sustained arid conditions and periods of below average rainfall. This provides relief until fluctuating conditions normalise, with minimal expenditure.

Increase in water flowing to catchment

» Improvements and costs of cloud seeding example: local rainfall of 400 mm of rain per year

Total rainfall of 400mm per year/5000km² area: BAT weather modification at $2 million.

20% increase in rain will yield 80mm of additional rain.

Irrigation 20% gain: 400,000 Megalitres @$5 a Megalitre.

» Catchment increases from weather modification (costs and yields)

With 10% of 400mm annual rainfall proceeding to a city or town dam, water improvements and cost are:

20% increase in rainfall: 40,000 Megalitres @$50 per Megalitre or 4 cents per kilolitre

* Catchments can receive 20% of total rainfall, for these double yields and halve costs*

» Water totals per 1000km² area (excludes increased weir contributions etc).