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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 7.0 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS A combined experimental and operational rain augmentation project was conducted from 10 June through 12 September, 1978. The entire state of Delaware was de'signated as the target area. An Experimental Period was defined as 1200 through 2200 hours each day. The remaining hours were declared available exclusively for opera- tional seeding. One-third of the Experimental Periods, which were declared suitable for rain augmentaion, were designated as controls. These days were selected through a randomization schedule. On the control days the seeding was executed using placebos (sand flares). The operations center Iradar site was established at the Georgetown Municiapl Airport. A 5-cm weather radar was utilized to monitor the rainfall events. Both PPI and Rill data were recorded. The seeding aircraft was equipped with a computer-controlled data acquisition system. This allowed for measurements of cloud liquid water content and updraft speeds. Daily weather forecasts were accomplished using data from the NWS at Wilmington, Delaware and rawinsonde data from Dulles International Airport. "GO" days were declared based on the meteoro- logical analysis of the potential for dynamic seedabil ity. Severe weather conditions were closely monitored and procedures were estab- lished to terminate seeding operations when potential risks existed. A Steering Committee was established to exercise "local control" over the seeding operations. This committee communicated with the J?roject Director on a daily basis suggesting regions of the State where priority seeding should be conducted. The Committee also had the authority to cease operations if the soil moisture b€!came too high. This authority was exercised twice, resulting in 44 dlays of partial or complete shut down. 120 '.