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<br />Memorandum to Rod Kuharich
<br />8/23/2006
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<br />Page 2
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<br />deteriorating, harden certain key stations against flood events so that we can continue to collect critical,
<br />real-time stream flow data in times of flood, refurbish and replace cableways used for high flow
<br />measurements and subsequent calibration of the upper end of stage-discharge relationships, and
<br />continue, as necessary, the operation of vital gages which are currently operated by the United States
<br />Geological Survey (USGS). This is part of a continuing annual request for funds to support this program.
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<br />Discussion
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<br />The Satellite-linked Monitoring System (SMS) has been operating since 1985, starting with 82 linked
<br />gaging stations, then 150, and, as the need for the data has increased, the SMS has expanded. Over the
<br />last 15 years, in excess of five million dollars has been spent to develop the infrastructure of the SMS.
<br />DWR operates and maintains over 450 data collection platforms (DCPs) on rivers, streams, reservoirs,
<br />ditches and canals to collect and transmit basic stream flow and water elevation data for water
<br />administration, including interstate compacts, and flood flow alerts. Collectively, these platforms and the
<br />computer equipment in Denver are the Satellite-linked Monitoring System (SMS). The USGS and other
<br />entities operate an additional 300+ sites in Colorado, The USGS and DWR are working to improve data
<br />availability and reduce duplication through improved gaging station effectiveness. The SMS provides basic
<br />water flow data to many public and private entities, such as the Cities of Colorado Springs and Aurora, the
<br />Denver Water Board, the Arkansas River Compact Commission, Emergency Coordinators for most
<br />Colorado counties, water rights users, fishermen, rafters and the staffs of the Division of Water Resources
<br />and Colorado Water Conservation Board. Many programs of the DWR, such as the Dam Safety Program,
<br />Colorado River Decision Support System and the Rio Grande Decision Support System, and various river
<br />operations spreadsheets used by the seven Division Engineers for water administration were built to rely
<br />upon the real-time data acquired through the SMS. Water resources accounting programs utilizing the
<br />SMS include the Dolores Project, the Colorado-Big Thompson Project and the Fryingpan-Arkansas River
<br />Project. Also CWCB programs, such as Stream and Lake Protection, Flood Protection and Water Supply
<br />Protection utilize the real-time data.
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<br />FY06 Accomplishments
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<br />The CWeB provided $303,000 in FY06 for telemetry replacement, and stream gage refurbishment. Using
<br />$248,000 of these funds, 55 sets of satellite-linked monitoring equipment throughout Colorado were
<br />upgraded with high data rate satellite telemetry data collection platforms. The high data rate DCP
<br />upgrade program began in 2001. To date, 265 gages, about 2/3 of the current total system, have been
<br />upgraded. The balance of $55,000 was used to repair and refurbish stream gages throughout the State.
<br />A partial list of refurbishment projects were completed at the following stream gages in FY 06:
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<br />Michiqan River at Walden $300
<br />Trinchera Creek at Turner's Ranch $9,530
<br />'Refurbishment of 4 cableways in Div 3 $6,920
<br />Bear Creek at Morrison $6,000
<br />Rule Creek near Toonerville $3,060
<br />Arkansas River at Granite $690
<br />Purgatoire River at Trinidad $850
<br />,Lake Creek above Twin Lakes $2,410
<br />Multatrina Ditch $2,600
<br />South Platte at Henderson $2,580
<br />iTwin Lakes Tunnel $200
<br />:North Crestone Creek $300
<br />,Refurbishment of 4 Div 1 gages with stage-discharqe recorders $4,700
<br />Various small refurbishment projects in Div 3 $1 , 190
<br />[Miscellaneous construction hardware and s~s -- $1.950
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