Idaho Cloud Seeding Raises Flood Concerns

BOISE, Idaho — As cloud seeding programs continue to be implemented across the western United States, concerns are growing over the potential risks and unintended consequences, including the risk of flooding and environmental damage. With an annual budget of $7 million, the Idaho Power Company’s cloud seeding program, along with the oversight from the Idaho Water Resources Board (IWRB) and Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR), has come under scrutiny for its management and transparency.

Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique used to enhance precipitation, primarily through the dispersal of silver iodide or other substances into clouds. While some studies suggest it can increase precipitation by 5-15%, the impacts are not always easy to quantify, and the potential for unintended consequences, such as flooding, remains a concern¹.

The recent flooding events in the Wood River Valley in May 2023 have raised questions about the role of cloud seeding in exacerbating flooding conditions. According to documents obtained through a FOIA request, the cloud seeding program in the Wood Basin area was terminated in March 2023 due to high snowpack levels and water supply forecasts². Yet, just two months later, significant flooding occurred, leading to mandatory evacuations².

Idaho Power’s weather modification application outlines termination procedures and safeguards to suspend or stop the program when certain conditions arise, including the risk of potential flooding³. However, the responsibility of managing these risks and the burden placed on citizens in case of accidental operator error or unknowingly contributing to environmental damage remains a contentious issue.

“Is it responsible to place the risk burden on the citizens in case of accidental operator error or unknowingly contributing to environmental damage?” questions the full report on Idaho Power’s cloud seeding activities³.

Temperature shifts, which can contribute to snowmelt and runoff, were not explicitly considered when earlier season cloud seeding took place. This raises concerns about the potential contribution of cloud seeding to the runoff flooding experienced in the Wood River Valley².

In response to these concerns, a recent 2023/2024 NOAA report by Conni Owen revealed that Idaho Power has created a new daily-updated long-term suspension criteria named the Flooding Index. The report also highlighted drawbacks to the Snow Water Supply Index (SWSI), which Idaho Power previously relied on, including inconsistencies in thresholds and database dependencies⁴.

The shift to new methods by Idaho Power is raising questions among Idahoans about the adequacy of the previous flood index and the need for more robust and transparent monitoring and evaluation of cloud seeding programs.

The delicate balance of nature isn’t as easy to manipulate as some presume, and the complex and sometimes unpredictable nature of cloud seeding underscores the need for careful oversight and transparency. As cloud seeding continues to be used as an experimental program with the potential to cause environmental and property damage, there is an urgent need for the government to prioritize the safety and well-being of local communities and ensure that proper safeguards and transparency measures are in place.

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