PHOTOGRAPHIC COVERAGE OF THE SIERRA SNOW FIELDS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP72R00410R000100080005-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 12, 2006
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: October 17, 1969
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release. 2006/01Tc UR-RDP72
25X1
copy o /a,
17 OCT 1969
25X1 MEMORANDUM FOR: Chairman
Committee on Imagery Requirements and Exploitation
THROUGH Deputy Director for Science and Technology
25X1
1. We will be happy to provide the additional coverage
of the Sierra Snow Fields as requested in referenced memorandum.
25X1 2. I lin R&D office, will be 25X1
the focal point for Mr. Baker. He wi work.dir. ectly with
25X1 I lof our operations staff who will
schedule and conduct the operations necessary for the
requested coverage.
3. We understand the coverage requested involves the
same flight lines previously provided us by Mr. Baker and
covered during the Spring of 1969. This repeat coverage
will be run in October 1969 and then in March, April, May,
and June 1970 for a total of five good imagery producing
SUBJECT Photographic Coverage of the Sierra Snow
Fields
flights.
DG/5&i
FLE COPY
On file DOC release instructions apply.
DONALD R. ROSS
Brigadier General, USAF
Director of Special Activities
25X1
25X1
'SECRET
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Approved For Release 2
10 October 1969
MEMORANDUM FOR: Brigadier General Donald H. Ross
. Director, Office of Special Activities
THROUGH . Deputy Director for Science and
Technology
SUBJECT : Photographic Coverage of the Sierra
Snow Fields
1 The enclosed memorandum is largely self-explanatory.
with John Parangosky's concurrence, worked with
consultant to this Committee, and now 25X1
Chairman of the Imagery Collection Requirements Subcommittee of
COMIREX, in arranging for repetitive coverage with the tracking
camera of the U-2 of three major watersheds in the Sierra Nevadas
during the late winter and spring of 1969. The watersheds were
delineated on a map provided by Donald Baker, hydrologist in the
National Environmental Satellite Center of ESSA, Department of
Commerce. Twelve training missions by Agency U-2 aircraft were
flown over these watersheds in response to ESSA's previous request.
The processed film from the tracking camera was provided, without
cost, directly to Dick Tarble, Chief Hydrologist of the Sacramento
River Forecast Center, who analyzed the results of each mission
immediately after receipt. It proved to be a very practical tool in
forecasting potential water supply. He was enthusiastic in his reports
to Washington regarding the usefulness of the material.
2, has already been in touch withi 25X1
about this current request. ESSA is asking only for the film from the 25X1
tracking camera. If desirable, Don Baker (Code 157, Extension 7236;'
T-KH cleared) would be most happy to come to office
to discuss ESSA's requirement in detail.
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 Approved For Release 2
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3. In view of the very practical application of such
material by the Sacramento River Forecast Center and the
attempt on the part of ESSA and Don Steininger to reduce the
coverage requirement to a minimum number of five missions,
assuming the quality of imagery from the tracking camera is
adequate, I strongly urge that your organization make every
effort to respond favorably to the enclosed request.
25X1
Chairman
Committee on Imagery Requirements and Exploitation
25X1
2
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EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20506
25X1
October 6, 1969
25X1
Chairman, COMIREX, CIA
SUBJECT: Photographic Coverage of the Sierra Snow Fields
As you will recall, a request was made by ESSA through II for 25X1
photographic coverage of the Sierra snow fields during the spring of
1969. This coverage has been extremely useful and furnished informa-
tion which could not be obtained in any other manner. For example, the
photography showed much less snow over the Kern River Basin than
predicted earlier; therefore, it was possible to make the decision not
to release water from the reservoirs since the peak flow period had
passed.
In view of the high value of the 1969 Agency aircraft-borne photography
in managing the Sierra watershed, it is requested that five training
flights be used for this purpose again. Assuming that the aircraft crew
training schedule can accommodate this request, the following schedule
will meet ESSA's requirements:
1. One "clear day" run during October before the first snow
falls so that carry-over snow from last season can be determined.
! S
2. Routine flights on or near the first of each month (27th to
4th) beginning March 1st through June
GROUP I
Excluded from automatic down-
grading and declassification.
ARGO Steering CommittWe
Copy of
25X
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