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II. COLORADO RIVER DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM MOTIVATION FOR A DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM As Colorado enters a new era of water management, cooperation among state agencies, water providers and water users is essential so that informed decisions can be made. A comprehensive decision support system is needed that will provide Colorado agencies, water users and managers a better means for organizing, accessing and evaluating a wide range of information and alternative strategies, and to establish informed and factual positions regarding the major issues. In 1992, the Colorado State Legislature authorized the CWCB to conduct a needs analysis and feasibility study for a Colorado River Decision Support System. In 1993, the Board was authorized to design and implement the CRDSS. The Governor's Executive Order of July 1992 established the Colorado River Policy Advisory Council and the associated Decision Support System Advisory Committee to address Colorado River matters and provide advice and guidance regarding CRDSS. CROSS GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The principal goal of the CRDSS is to provide the capability to develop credible information on which to base informed decisions concerning management of Colorado River water resources. The CRDSS will: o Develop accurate, user-friendly databases helpful in the administration and allocation of waters of the Colorado River and its tributaries. o Provide data and models to evaluate alternative water administration strategies which can maximize utilization of available resources in all types of hydrologic conditions. o Be a functional system that can be used by decision-makers and others, and be maintained and upgraded by the State. o Have the capability to accurately represent current and potential Federal and State administrative and operating policies and laws. <:::) o c:::t o en w o Promote information sharing among government agencies and water users. The CRDSS will consist of databases and models which will provide improved data and decision making capability for many critical Colorado River planning, administrative and operational issues. The CRDSS is centered around databases containing historical information on streamflow, climate and water uses, as well as tabulations of water rights and water management policies. Data are keyed to locations in the river basin using a geographic information system. This computer-based system will allow decision makers to access water resource data and to simulate potential decisions and policies, and examine potential consequences related to the following: 4