An algorithm for calculating the altitude that a plume will rise due to momentum and buoyancy forces before reaching an equilibrium height. Plume rise increases with higher buoyancy or momentum of the plume and decreases with increasing wind speed or vertical temperature gradient in the atmosphere. The rate of rise is fastest at the point of emission and decreases due to the entrainment of ambient air, which has minimal momentum and generally lower temperatures than the original plume. The plume is considered to be at its final height when the rate of rise decreases to at point where it is equivalent to vertical velocities generated by turbulence in the atmosphere.