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The development of new equipment and methods to learn about the complex weather systems encountered during intensive research takes various forms and can have far-reaching benefits. Because clouds are dynamic, swiftly changing phenomena, precise and rapid data collection techniques must be used. Project Skywater research places a premium on new ideas and constant feedback among scientists to gather information of the highest quality. Each of the sections in this report reviews important technological advances made by Project Skywater in weather forecasting, atmospheric measurement, seeding methods, and computer analysis. During fiscal year 1979, Project Skywater field projects embarked on new experimental phases. HIPLEX (High Plains Cooperative Program) research, which studies convective rain stimulation on the High Plains, initiated a randomized seeding experiment on small cumulus congestus clouds in Montana. Data collection and hypotheses development continued at the Texas HIPLEX site. Winter orographic precipitation augmentation in the Sierra Nevada under the SCPP (Sierra Cooperative Pilot Project) advanced into a calibration testing phase, in which small-scale seeding experiments are conducted on designated cloud types to refine the project design. Under a congressional direct ive, the Colorado River Bas in Project cont inued prel iminar y pl ann ing as a prelude to possible cloud seeding operations in the Colorado River Basin. A conceptual plan was drafted during fiscal year 1979 for winter precipi- tation augmentation in the basin. A Southwest Drought Research Program, directed towards developing, in advance, state contingency plans, was 'initiated during fiscal year 1979 for imple- menting drought cloud seeding and background studies to identify appropriate techniques and time frames. The program follows a congressional directive to "conduct rain 'augmentation research in the Southwest in areas which drought patterns are developing." ,f< Environmental and social impact studies are developed side by side with the meteorological component of Project Skywater research. SCPP research includes studies to assess the ecological effects of cloud seeding in the Sierra Nevada. An Environmental Assessment was initiated for the project. HIPLEX studies made progress in identifying the value and impacts of addi- tional rainfall during the growing season on High Plains crops and grasses. The policy of including a broad representation of academic and private sector scientific communities and state and local governments in the planning and assessments of Project Skywater research extends to the public as well. Private citizen participation is encouraged in the Sierra Nevada through the SCPP Citizens Council. Council members and project scientists meet regularly to discuss project developments. In this way, the emerging technology of precipitation enhancement is developed in full coordination with its ultimate beneficiaries. , 2