Proposed Horse Heaven Hills cloud-seeding pilot project draws commissioner opposition
By Dan Thesman on Thursday, October 22nd, 2026 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
BENTON COUNTY, Washington — Representatives from cloud-seeding technology company Rainmaker Technology Corporation in El Segundo, California, presented a proposed weather modification pilot project for the Horse Heaven Hills area to the Benton County Board of Commissioners during a special board meeting Wednesday.
The meeting opened with a briefing from Deputy State Climatologist Karin Bumbaco, who highlighted warm winter trends, declining snowpack, and uncertain seasonal precipitation forecasts across Washington.
Following the climate update, Rainmaker executives Brandon Monson and Amie Dobracki outlined the proposed pilot program aimed at enhancing seasonal rainfall in the Horse Heaven Hills. Monson explained that the project targets inefficient cloud decks using autonomous drones to disperse silver iodide. The silver iodide particles act as a nucleating agent. In cloud seeding, a nucleating agent is a micro-particle introduced into a cloud to kick-start the formation of ice crystals or rain droplets. Essentially, a nucleating agent provides the missing physical trigger that allows cloud moisture to convert into falling rain or snow.
According to Rainmaker’s projections, the project could yield a 10 percent to 15 percent seasonal precipitation increase over six to seven months, adding an estimated 11,000 to 17,000 acre-feet of water to the targeted area. Dobracki stressed that cloud seeding cannot create storms or cause severe flooding, noting that flight operations strictly observe safety suspensions during weather warnings or burn-scar runoff concerns.
Despite the presentation, Commissioner Michael Alvarez voiced firm opposition to the project. Clarifying that the board had not solicited the proposal, Alvarez emphasized his duty to represent the county’s 220,000 residents and local agricultural stakeholders.
“Until I hear directly from them, I remain opposed to the project,” Alvarez stated. “I do not want Benton County or the Horse Heaven Hills to be a guinea pig for something that is still having validation in the research.”
Map illustrating cloud-seeding pilot project for Horse Heaven Hills (courtesy Rainmaker)
