Cloudseeding

The UGRWCD has been part of this cooperative program since the 2004-2005 snow season and took over fiscal responsibility from Gunnison County in 2015. The Cloudseeding Program is carried out through an annual agreement with North American Weather Consultants. Partners in the program include the Colorado Water Conservation Board, Gunnison County, City of Gunnison, Town of Mt. Crested Butte, Vail Resorts, East River Sanitation District, Mt. Crested Butte Water and Sanitation District, Antelope Hills Water, and Dos Rios Water System. 

The Cloudseeding Program consists of 14-17 silver iodide generators throughout the basin and one remote generator located at Lake Irwin. The target areas within the basin are those drainages above 9,000 feet that are tributary to the Upper Gunnison River. The average annual generator hours budgeted for this program are 2,500 hours. Actual seeding hours depends upon storm systems moving through the area. In some cases, generation has had to be curtailed due to avalanche danger.