Cloud seeding

Between new technology, funding and the Legislature's backing, “Utah is climbing its way to one of the best programs in the world,” said the director of the state's cloud seeding program.

Water experts say cloud seeding deserves more funding and research to measure its impact on the drought-stricken Colorado River basin.

Silver iodide has been the dominant ingredient for cloud seeding in the West, but it doesn't work so well in warm temperatures.

Cloud seeding involves using planes and ground-based equipment to put silver iodide into clouds when weather conditions are right. Colorado, Utah and Wyoming have all expanded their cloud-seeding programs in recent years.

The funding comes as key reservoirs on the Colorado River hit record lows and booming Western cities and industries fail to adjust their water use to increasingly shrinking supplies.

Each winter, anxious water managers, farmers and city leaders in the American Southwest turn their eyes toward the snowy peaks of the southern Rocky...