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• Board Meeting Date: 11/18/2007
• Description: CF Section - En-bloc Non-Reimbursable Investments - Division of Water Resources - Satellite Monitoring System Maintenance
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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a
Memorandum to CWCB Page 2
Discussion
The Satellite-linked Monitoring System (SMS) has been operating since 1985, starting with 82 linked
gaging stations, then 150, and, as the need for the data has increased, the SMS has expanded. Over the
last 17 years, in excess of 5.5 million dollars has been spent to develop the infrastructure of the SMS.
DWR operates and maintains over 450 data collection platforms (DCPs) on rivers, streams, reservoirs,
ditches and canals to collect and transmit basic stream flow and water elevation data for water
administration, including. interstate compacts, and flood flow alerts. Collectively, these platforms and the
computer equipment in Denver are the Satellite-linked Monitoring System (SMS). The USGS and other
entities operate an additional 300+ sites in Colorado. The USGS and DWR are working to improve data
availability and reduce duplication through improved gaging station effectiveness. The SMS provides basic
water flow data to the staffs of the Division of Water Resources and Colorado Water Conservation Board;
to many public and private entities, such as the Cities of Colorado Springs and Aurora, the Denver Water
Board, the Arkansas River Compact Commission, Emergency Coordinators for most Colorado counties; to
water rights holders; and to many recreationists such as fishermen, rafters, etc. Many programs of the
DWR, such as the Dam Safety Program, Colorado River Decision Support System and the Rio Grande
Decision Support System, and various river operations spreadsheets used by the seven Division
Engineers for water administration were built to rely upon the real-time data acquired through the SMS.
Water resources accounting programs utilizing the SMS include the Dolores Project, the Colorado-Big
Thompson. Project and the Fryingpan-Arkansas River Project. Also CWCB programs, such as Stream and
Lake Protection, Fload Protection and Water Supply Protection utilize the real-time data.
FY07 Accomplishments
The CWCB provided $300,000 in FY07 for satellite telemetry equipment upgrade and replacement, and
stream gage refurbishment. Using $245,000 of these funds, 50 sets of sategite-linked monitoring
equipment throughout Colorado were upgraded 'with high data rate satellite telemetry data collection
platforms and stage measurement equipment, telemetry equipment and grounding equipment. The high
data rate DCP upgrade program began in 2001. To date, 315 satellite monitoring gages, about 73% of the
current total system, have been upgraded from 100 baud to 300 baud transmission speed. The balance of
$55,000 was allocated to repair and refurbish stream gages throughout the State. Refurbishment projects
were completed at the following stream gages in FY 07. Several other projects were initiated in FY07 but
will carry over into FY08 for completion.
North Channel Cone'os R. near LaSauses $925.50
RIOSFKCO-steel for A-frame $894.79
Roubideau Creek at the Mouth near Delta* $3 800.00
N. Branch Cone'os R. near Cone os $1 756.96
Bi and Little S rin Creeks at Medano Ranch $1,177.30
LAKATLCO-install metal rate stairwa $3,944.28
Willow Creek bl Steamboat Lake• $1,561.51
Docks for Div 3 ra hic sta a recorders $1 665.68
Rule Creek near Taonerville $706.93
Florida R. at~ove Lemon Reservoir' $327.63
So. Platte R. nr Weidona' $394.57
Nava'o River at Banded Peak Ranch• $101.69
re lace ladders in 6 stillin wells Div 3 $584.52
Pu atoire R. at Ninemile $120.87
construction su lies for new Div 5 a es $950.08
Cotton Creek near Mineral Hot S rin 51,275.00
Leroux Creek-Div 4 $850.90
Crooked Arro o near Swink $166.69
Arkansas R. at Salida-new head wall and intake re airs $4,653.66
Strai ht Creek Tunnel' $2,141.81
Miscellaneous construction hardware and su lies $3,622.03
`work at gages marked with (') is only partially complete and will carryover into FY08.
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