THE COLLECTION OF FOG-DRIP

Fog and low stratus clouds are the dominant climatic feature along the central California coastline during the summer months. This moisture source is not only a critical feature in the local hydrologic cycle, but may prove to be a valuable source for augmenting the water supplies. During the summer of 1982 an experiment was conducted to examine the relative efficiency of two man-made fog collection systems, the harp and cylinder. The systems were designed to maximize the collection of water droplets on vertically strung wires. The system collected a rain gauge equivalent of between 25. 2 and 80. 4 cm/unit vertical area as compared to the mean annual rainfall of 60 cm. Refs.