Document Type : Research Paper

Author

• Kamal Omidvar

Member of Faculty, University of Yazd

Abstract

North American meteorological advisors implemented the summer plan of cloud insemination in the countries of Guatemala and Honduras. The two countries, as their neighbors in Central America, provide the bulk of their electrical energy from hydroelectric power facilities. The Chixoy dams in Guatemala and El Cajon in Honduras provide more than 50 percent of the electric power consumed in these two countries. Usually the Chixoy dams are filled with water in the summer, but this dam was not filled in 1991 due to a strong case of the El Nino, the fact which led to disruptions in production of hydroelectric power. For this reason, the fertility plan was implemented in the months of October and November, which correspond to the end of rainy season. Opportunities for insemination were limited. A more comprehensive plan was conducted in late May until July and late September until late October, 1992.
The goal of this plan was to increase rainfall on the Chixoy River Basin. The preliminary assessment indicated that the possible fertilizing effects during June 1992 was an average of 17% increase in rainfall in several precipitation control stations facing the wind.
According to preliminary calculations, the runoff cost potential of this fertility plan was about a few American dollars per Acer Foot. A similar plan was implemented from late August until late November 1993 on the El Cajon River Basin, Honduras. The preliminary analysis of possible effects of this fertility plan is currently in progress.