WMOD00301 ‎(2)‎

• Title: Conceptual Plan to Develop Water Augmentation by Weather Modification in the Colorado River
• Date: 5/14/1979
• Weather Modification - Doc Type: Report

D R AFT

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Weather modification research on lIincreasing rainfall by cloud
seedingll by the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation
was authorized by Congress within t~e Public Works Appropriation
Act, 1962 (Public Law 87-330) 1/. In similar manner, the Bureau of
Reclamation was further directed in 1968 to lIinitiate pilot weather
modification projects in connection with the atmospheric water
resources research program,1I 8/ and in 1977 specifically directed and
funded to IIprepare plans for the Colorado River Augmentation Program. II !if

Through the Emergency Drought Act of 1977 (Public Law 95-18, as
amended), the Bureau of Reclamation granted over $2 million to six
states for supplemental support of their operational cloud seeding
projects, including a total of over $1 million to the States of
Colorado and Utah for winter cloud seeding in the Colorado River
Basin. The Bureau also provides technical assistance, computer
system support, and equipment loans to operational weather modification
projects through cooperative agreements with the appropriate state
agencies and local users.

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The growing recognition of weather modification as a means for water
resources management in critically water-short areas by the Department
of the Interior is also reflected in a recent congressional recommenda-
tion to the Bureau of Reclamation:

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