This report deals with the planning of Automated Data Acquisition and Control Systems (ADACS) and is written to introduce the general engineering and management audience to the types of considerations which must be addressed for successful implementation of such systems. Brief discussions are presented on such topics as basic system requirements, minicomputer components, systems implementation, programming of minicomputes, data acquisition, process control, and data transmission. The ADACS developed for use at the Chesapeake Bay model, a large hydraulic model of the Chesapeake Bay, is discussed as an example of WES experience. (Author).