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Flexibility." This research builds on a concept previously worked on by Utah State and Reclamation's Provo Projects Office to adapt the complex technology of canal automation to smaller canal sys- tems. Small irrigation districts may hesitate to use a technology developed primarily for larger systems, but consid- erable water savings through more efficient deliveries could result from ap- plying this idea in many other water user organizations. . Colorado State University - "Present and Future River Basin Irrigation Water De- mand Reduction Caused by Implementation of Water Conservation Technologies." This research will help answer the question: "How much do water conservation practices really.affect demand?" Colorado State will use GIS (Geographic Information Systems) tech- nology to assess the water savings of several water conservation approaches, including conversion of surface irriga- tion to sprinkler irrigation, use of SURGE surface irrigation techniques, crop conversion or removing land from production, urban water metering and conservation programs, and irrigation scheduling using automated telephone response systems. . UMA Engineering, Inc. - "Flow Meas- urement Using an Overshot Gate." Inexpensive devices for measuring water in laterals and ditches would help con- serve water by providing accurate measurement of water delivered to irri- gated crops. UMA Engineering, Inc., will work with the Water Conservation Laboratory of the Agricultural Research Service in Phoenix, Arizona. This labora- tory has an extensive background and excellent reputation in water measure- ment research. The overshot gate, a commonly used control device, soon may be available as a low-cost water measurement device. 17 The agreements require each of the three cooperators to provide matching funds or services of at least 25 percent of the project cost. Reclamation research personnel are monitoring the projects and will work closely with the investigators to ensure that useful results are obtained. Another part emphasizes drinking water conservation The remaining $250,000 of the fiscal year 1992 program was used for a coopera- tive agreement for research on conserva- tion of drinking water. A WW ARF, which is fmanced by American Water Works Association member utilities, is matching our contribution, and has awarded contracts to: . James M. Montgomery, Inc. - "Impacts of Water Use Reductions in the U.S." This research will provide the data utility managers need to accurately determine fmancial and other impacts of water demand management on their operating costs and capital facilities. . Wade Miller Associates, Inc. - "The Development of a Guidance Manual for Managing the Revenue and Cash Flow Effects of Conservation and Demand Management." The work will develop an overall framework and analytical tools for utility managers for analysis and appropriate response to the revenue and cash flow impacts of conservation and demand management programs. (We expect this and the Montgomery project to be complementary.) . A&N Technical Services, Inc. - "Reve- nue Instability Induced by Conservation Rate Structures: An Empirical Investiga- tion of Coping Strategies." This study will empirically examine the experience of water agencies that have adopted con- servation rate structures and propose how quantitative tools might (1) measure and cope with the added uncertainty, and (2) make explicit the magnitude of trade- offs among revenue stability, equity, and incentives for efficient use of water.