Officials: Cloud-seeding efforts good start

They didn’t make it rain much, but officials said cloud-seeding efforts over Roosevelt County in May and June were a good start to the program some hope to continue.

Gary Walker, owner and pilot with the Wichita Falls, Texas-based Seeding Operations and Atmospheric Research (SOAR), was authorized to perform cloud seeding for the Roosevelt Soil and Water Conservation District.

May and June this year were the driest in four years. But Mike Cone, board chairman of the conservation district, said there wasn’t much to work with.

"What I tell people is we're not going to create anything," Cone said.  "What we're doing is enhancing what's already ready to happen."

The National Weather Service shows rainfall in Portales in June 2021 totaled 4.75 inches – the most in four years. This year that total was just .81 of an inch. And only a trace of moisture was recorded in May of this year.

May and June rainfall averages for Portales for the past 25 years are 1.42 inches for May and 2.04 inches for June, NWS reports.

The most rain for any May in that time period was May 2015 with 4.89 inches.  The wettest June was June, 2000 with 7.01 inches.

"We can only enhance clouds that are suitable for rain," Walker said.  "The reason for the whole drought is there are few clouds.

"Mother Nature is going to do what she's going to do. We're just enhancing what's already there."

Walker said SOAR had 17 flights in May and June, but "God didn't give us the opportunities of clouds to seed."

Walker said seeding operations generally increase cloud rain yields 15% to 20%, “but of course that can be lower or higher.”

Cone said he thinks Walker's cloud seeding work "was outstanding."

Cone described the May and June flights as a good start to the program.  He is looking forward to more funding for more flights next year and he is hoping some regulations will be eased.

Cloud seeding action has to be approved by the Interstate Stream Commission for flight licensure.  Cone said the ISC is looking to revamp some of its standards.  He hopes they do to make licensing easier.

Walker said the price tag for his work was $102,000.  He said that paid for the aircraft, pilot, radar feed, meteorologist, fuel, flares, insurance, living expenses, license from New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission and reporting.

Walker said the Roosevelt Soil and Water Conservation District had more money to spend but was cost conscience of conditions and "chose not to fund a second aircraft and turned back monies to the state.

"The district deserves credit for being aware of taxpayers and the funding from the state of New Mexico," Walker said.