By SMPN

When devastating floods swept through the Texas Hill Country in early July, claiming the lives of over 130 people, a wave of grief was quickly followed by controversy. Some blamed the tragedy on a cloud seeding operation that took place more than 100 miles away, pointing fingers at Rainmaker Technology Corporation and its CEO, Augustus Doricko. Though experts and officials say there is no evidence linking the weather modification effort to the flooding, the event has reignited public interest—and concern—over a technology that's been used for decades to enhance rainfall.
A recent article on www.theepochtimes.com explores how cloud seeding, once seen as a niche tool, is now becoming part of a broader conversation about how we manage water in an era of increasing droughts, water shortages, and extreme weather.

What Is Cloud Seeding?
Despite some misconceptions, cloud seeding does not create storms or clouds from scratch. Instead, it enhances the rain potential of existing clouds. The process involves dispersing substances—typically silver iodide or table salt—into clouds to encourage the formation of raindrops or snowflakes. These particles act as nuclei that attract moisture, hastening the cloud’s natural precipitation process.
“The vast majority of water that traverses the troposphere in the United States just gets recycled by the ocean,” says Doricko. “Cloud seeding takes a small percent more of that water and helps it fall over land, where it can be used.”

A Technology with Deep Roots
Cloud seeding isn't new. The technology dates back to the 1940s when scientists first experimented with weather modification to increase snowfall in upstate New York. Since then, states including Texas, Utah, California, and North Dakota have used the method to combat drought, enhance snowpack, and replenish aquifers.
In Texas, for instance, programs have operated for decades across tens of millions of acres. However, due to the recent rains and public outcry following the Hill Country floods, all cloud seeding efforts in the state have been temporarily suspended.
Doricko insists that operations like the one his company conducted on July 2—well south of the flood zone—had no impact on the storm system that caused the deadly floods. “It’s unfortunate that people link the two,” he says, “but I welcome the opportunity to educate the public.”

Where and When Is Cloud Seeding Used?
Cloud seeding is typically employed in regions suffering from prolonged dry spells or those that depend heavily on snowmelt. Doricko’s company works in multiple states, including Utah, Colorado, Oregon, and parts of California. In Utah, operations run from October to April to help build up the winter snowpack, which is crucial for water supply during the dry season.
“The snow we generate acts like a natural battery,” Doricko explains. “It melts slowly, releasing water into rivers and aquifers.”
Because water flows across state lines, cloud seeding has implications for regional water management. For example, states like California and Arizona help fund seeding projects in upstream areas like Colorado, recognizing the downstream benefits.
However, Doricko emphasizes that safety measures are built into every program. If there's any threat of flooding or dangerous storms, operations must be halted—even if local communities are eager for rain.

Who Regulates Cloud Seeding?
In the U.S., cloud seeding operates under a mix of federal and state oversight. Operators must notify the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) at least 10 days before a seeding event, though NOAA has no power to approve or deny these actions.
In Texas, cloud seeding requires a state-issued license, and applicants must demonstrate meteorological expertise and meet specific safety and financial criteria. But while permits are mandatory, reporting after the fact is minimal. Doricko argues that more federal oversight could help ensure transparency and public trust.
“Right now, people have to rely on trust,” he says. “We need better data collection and public reporting to show how effective and safe cloud seeding really is.”

What Does the Research Say?
Research on cloud seeding’s effectiveness and environmental impact has grown steadily since the mid-20th century. So far, studies suggest the practice is relatively low risk. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, for example, says that after decades of monitoring, no significant environmental impacts have been found from seeding projects.
Rainwater samples from seeded clouds show only trace amounts of silver—well below federal health guidelines. In fact, the iodine used in table salt far exceeds what's found in rain from seeded clouds.
Cost-wise, cloud seeding has shown promising returns. Utah’s water agency estimates it costs between $5 and $10 per acre-foot to boost snowfall by 5 to 15 percent. And in North Dakota, a 2019 study showed cloud seeding increased farm rainfall and significantly reduced crop damage from hail, delivering up to $53 in benefits for every $1 spent.
Still, results can vary based on geography and climate. "It doesn’t work just anywhere,” cautions the Utah Division of Water Resources. “The conditions have to be right.”

Weather Modification vs. Geoengineering
Cloud seeding is sometimes confused with other atmospheric interventions, such as geoengineering or so-called “chemtrails.” However, scientists distinguish cloud seeding as a localized, short-term method to stimulate rain, whereas geoengineering involves altering global climate patterns—such as reflecting sunlight to cool the Earth.
Doricko agrees that more scrutiny is warranted for large-scale climate engineering. “Dimming the sun is a real technology that we need to take very seriously,” he says. “But it’s not the same as cloud seeding.”

A Shifting Public and Political Landscape
As interest in cloud seeding grows, so does opposition. In May, Florida banned all forms of weather modification, despite previously allowing cloud seeding under state oversight. The legislation reflects growing public wariness about human interference with the environment.
Some federal lawmakers are also calling for bans. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) recently declared on social media that no entity should be allowed to modify weather “by any means possible.”
But for Doricko, the future of cloud seeding lies not in fear, but in informed discussion and innovation.
“I believe this technology can help transform our water landscape,” he says. “If we can harness just a bit more of the atmosphere’s moisture, we can not only end drought, but green deserts and make more land viable for farming.”
As climate pressures mount, cloud seeding may yet prove to be one of the tools humanity turns to—not to control nature, but to live more sustainably within it.
To read the full article visit: https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/what-to-know-about-cloud-seeding-5885087.