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<br />D R AFT <br /> <br />Since its inception in 1962, the goal of the Bureau of Reclamation's <br />Project Skywater has been to develop practical cloud seeding techni- <br />ques to increase rain and snow in the Nation's critically water-short <br />areas. Most of the research has been performed in cooperation with <br />universities, private firms, state agencies, and local groups in <br />three principle water problem regions - the Colorado River, the <br />Sierra Nevada, and the High Plains. Technical support and emergency <br />drought aid have furthered a "learn-by-doing" approach and built <br />local experience in weather modification. <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />Early in the Bureau's program, four components were identified as <br />necessary steps for any weather modification program established to <br />resolve water needs 2/ 3/. These components, as shown in figure 1, <br />are: <br /> <br />1. A Program Decision component or "Should we do it?" Assessment <br />by sponsors of water needs and anticipated results, costs, and <br />risks. <br /> <br />II. A Recognition of Opportunity component or "What clouds should <br />we seed?" Forecasting and identifying clouds that can be treated <br />to produce increased precipitation. <br /> <br />'~ <br /> <br />III. A Treatment of Opportunity component or "How do we seed the <br />clouds?" Delivery of the appropriate amount and type of seeding <br /> <br />,! <br /> <br />2 <br />