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SECTION I. INTRODUCTION Project Skywater is t e research program of the Office of Atmospheric Resources Research, D vision of Research, Water and Power Resources Service to develop an effecti e and socially acceptable cloud.seeding technology for precipitation enhance ent. This mission is translated into carefully con- ceived, multiyear res arch projects designed to resolve the scientific, environmental, econom c, social, and legal uncertainties of precipitation enhancement activitie and to advance our understanding of the complex weather systems cross ng the United States. The research is carried out in partnership with scie tists, water resource planners, and state and local governments. The world's water sup ly is a shifting, uncertain resource subject to natural variations in distrib tion and availability. Historical precipitation totals in many areas of the nited States fluctuate widely from year to year, frustrating water pla ning strategies and, in some cases, inhibiting steady economic growth. Dro ght and moisture shortfalls warrant special concern as demographic trends na ionwide indicate significant population and industrial migration to the semi rid Western States. This factor places an increasing burden on water supplies reserved previously for agriculture and recreation. The aim of precipitation management research is to investigate ways of making the precipitation mec anism, the vital water delivery link in the hydrological cycle, more efficient and thus beneficial to changing human needs. Cloud seeding could be an i portant addition to the arsenal of water resource management tools available to us in the future. . This report records Project Skywater progress and accomplishments toward the scientific development of a usable precipitation enhancement technology during fiscal year 1979. This period began on October 1, 1978, and ended on September 30, 1979. The overall approach of Project Skywater research projects is to consider carefully knowledge gained from each study component before moving ahead to the next phase of an e periment. In this way, a thorough understanding of the physical processes that form precipitation may be secured and applied to sound, statistically d signed experiments. Final results attained during the experiments can then r st on firm statistical foundations. To accomplish these objectives: ls, Project Skywater research is directed toward three . To confirm the ph sical basis for cloud seeding in the principal weather situations convective and orographic, .. . To achieve effect"ve systems of opportunity recognition and treatment, and . To safeguard agai st adverse atmospheric, environmental, and social effect s . 1