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project- specific reservoir operations that may be encountered in the CRDSS applications, it may <br />be necessary to develop specific subroutines to incorporate into the code. In its favor, BESTSM <br />has the ability to allow the inclusion of these project - specific subroutines. On the downside, <br />such development would necessarily require a background in FORTRAN programming and a <br />thorough understanding of the design and functionality of the BESTSM solution techniques. <br />Ease of Understanding The fundamental logic of BESTSM is straightforward and relatively <br />easy to understand, as are the input and data requirements. However, the Green Mountain <br />version of BESTSM that is available to the State does not have supporting documentation, <br />making it very difficult to follow the logic, answer specific questions about detailed solution <br />methodologies, and understand what all of the variables represent. The lack of supporting <br />documentation also would necessitate considerably more time and work effort to get the CRDSS <br />Project Team up to speed on the function and development of BESTSM for the CRDSS. <br />Development for the CRDSS and Future Maintenance Although the source code is available <br />for the Green Mountain version of BESTSM, it is not presently supported by its developer, <br />Boyle Engineering. It is our understanding that Boyle has substantially rewritten the source <br />code, changing variable descriptions and enhancing subroutines. Accordingly, it is assumed that <br />the State and the CRDSS Project Team would be totally responsible for its development for the <br />CRDSS and for continued maintenance, presumably without assistance from the original model <br />developer. Similarly, since this model resides in the private sector, future upgrades or <br />enhancements of the model may be dependent on future applications of the model by Boyle. <br />This is a fundamental difference between a non - supported, privately developed model and a <br />supported, public domain model. <br />Level One Decision Criteria <br />Availability of Model Code As stated herein, the older Green Mountain version of BESTSM is <br />available to the State, and it is our understanding that it could be freely used for the CRDSS. <br />Changes to the code, such as might be required for project - specific reservoir operations, would <br />require program changes and accordingly a thorough understanding of the logic and function of <br />the model. The Green Mountain version is not presently supported by the original developer, <br />Boyle Engineering. <br />Model Functionality BESTSM appears to address most of the issues of functionality for the <br />CRDSS objectives. BESTSM apparently does not have the ability to exchange from a direct <br />diversion to a second direct diversion, which is considered a potentially serious shortcoming. <br />The BESTSM procedures for accounting for multiple accounts in reservoirs appears to be a <br />strength of the model. <br />Past Applications The current version of BESTSM has reportedly gained acceptance as a <br />suitable allocation /accounting model for water rights planning. Adoption of the model by <br />Denver Water is indicative of its support. There is a concern, however, that the CRDSS would <br />be using an older, unsupported, undocumented version of the model code. <br />Documentation There is no supporting documentation for the Green Mountain version of <br />BESTSM, making it difficult to fully understand the numerous variables and the solution logic. <br />This in itself is a serious, if not fatal, shortcoming of the BESTSM model with respect to its <br />potential use in the CRDSS. <br />,4275 05.10.94 4 1.15 -3 Fosha, Hyre <br />