Benton County commissioners are considering a cloud seeding pilot project for the Horse Heaven Hills in response to the persistent drought affecting the region. 

The commission will have a special meeting at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 21 to discuss water conditions in the Horse Heaven Hills and Yakima Basin. Presentations include an update on current climate conditions from a state climatologist and presentation on cloud seeding technologies from Washington State Business Development and Government Affairs. 

Cloud seeding has been used for more than 80 years to modify weather, often precipitation, by dispersing substances such as silver iodide in the air, according to a 2024 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office. The dispersion substances can aid in cloud formation by releasing latent heat and attracting moisture. 

Nine U.S. states currently perform cloud seeding, while 10 have banned or have considered banning cloud seeding or weather modification in general, according to GAO. 

After four years of drought, the Yakima Valley is one of the hardest hit regions in the state. While irrigators were set to receive their full allocation of water in October, last year’s irrigation season ended abruptly because river flows were critically low. 

And conditions aren’t expected to change. Less water is expected to be available in summer and early fall by the 2040s, according to a draft forecast from the state Department of Ecology and the state Water Research Center at Washington State University.    

To view the Benton County commissioners agenda and access a link to watch the meeting remotely, go to: bentoncountywa.gov/news/?rz=newsDetails&id=250.