Cloud Seeding Boosts Idaho's Snowpack and Water Supply

Long-running program adds over 1 million acre-feet of water annually to the state's reservoirs

Jan. 29, 2026 at 8:23pm

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Cloud seeding has been an effective tool for increasing snowpack and water supply in Idaho for over 20 years, according to experts. The state's cloud seeding program, run by Idaho Power and local partners, uses ground-based generators and aircraft to disperse silver iodide particles into clouds, helping them release more moisture as snow. Data shows the program adds an average of 1.1 million acre-feet of water annually to the Snake River Basin, a significant boost to the state's water resources.

Why it matters

Having adequate water supply is crucial for Idaho's ecosystem and economy. Cloud seeding helps bolster the state's snowpack, which feeds into rivers and reservoirs, providing water for agriculture, hydropower, and other uses. The program is seen as a cost-effective way to increase water resources compared to building new dams or other infrastructure.

The details

Idaho's cloud seeding program operates from November through March or April, targeting high-elevation mountain areas. Ground-based generators and aircraft release silver iodide particles into clouds, helping ice crystals form and increasing snowfall. Monitoring has shown no significant environmental buildup of silver from the program. Cloud seeding is estimated to increase snowpack by about 10% in the basins it targets.

  • The Idaho Power cloud seeding program runs from November 1 through the end of March or April.
  • The program has been in operation for over 20 years, with data showing consistent increases in snowpack.

The players

Idaho Power

An electric utility company that operates a major cloud seeding program in Idaho, using both ground-based generators and aircraft.

High Country RC&D

A nonprofit organization that collaborates with Idaho Power to provide funding and an aircraft for cloud seeding operations in eastern Idaho.

Conni and Marty Owen

Operators of Let It Snow Incorporated, which manages 25 ground-based cloud seeding generators in eastern Idaho under contract with High Country RC&D and Clark County.

Shaun Parkinson

Meteorology leader and cloud seeding program manager for Idaho Power.

Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR)

The state agency that oversees and provides funding for cloud seeding programs in Idaho.

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What they’re saying

“Mother Nature is very inefficient at getting water that's in the atmosphere and putting it on the ground as precipitation. Cloud seeding helps Mother Nature out a little bit by coaxing a little bit more precipitation out of the atmosphere than what would occur naturally.”

— Derek Blestrud, Atmospheric Science Supervisor, Idaho Power

“We have 20 years of data that we can look back at statistically and see the cause and effect from the target area versus control areas, and what has been the change in precipitation. That story is pretty compelling.”

— Shaun Parkinson, Meteorology Leader and Cloud Seeding Program Manager, Idaho Power

“The cost of an acre-foot of water is upwards of 75 dollars per acre-foot. Our whole budget last year was 311,000 dollars, and we supplied 7.1 percent more snowpack in eastern Idaho.”

— Conni Owen, Operator, Let It Snow Incorporated

What’s next

Idaho Power and its partners plan to continue expanding the cloud seeding program to further boost the state's water supply, with the goal of adding even more snowpack to key basins and reservoirs.

The takeaway

Cloud seeding has proven to be a cost-effective and environmentally responsible way for Idaho to increase its water resources, providing a valuable tool to supplement the state's snowpack and ensure adequate water supplies for agriculture, hydropower, and other critical uses.