Weather modification has a rather unique status among water resource issues. Along with attracting attention as a potential water supply source, weather modification is of interest because of its varied and changing status in the scientific and public policy communities; it has an aura of controversy. Because of this, weather modification represents an interesting history of an idea in the study of water affairs. Arizona's interest in weather modification evolved over time, from early cloud seeding experimentation to the adoption of sophisticated computer modelling techniques that simulate climatological phenomenon and test weather modification premises. The evolution reflects a change in attitudes, from an optimistic expectation of immediate results to a more cautious, even skeptical regard about the potential of weather modification. State officials today view weather modification as a research topic and have no plans for direct application of cloud seeding.