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1.0 INTRODUCTION <br />As Colorado enters a new era of water management, cooperation among state agencies, water <br />providers, and water users is essential so that informed decisions can be made. The State of Colorado <br />is constantly evaluating management of its water resources in response to increases in population and <br />demand, droughts, and reductions in federal water program funding. Water management for more <br />efficient use of existing supply is receiving greater attention by both water users and state agencies. A <br />comprehensive decision support system (DSS) is needed that will provide Colorado agencies, water <br />users, and managers a better means for organizing, accessing, and evaluating a wide range of <br />information and alternative strategies, and to establish informed and factual positions regarding the <br />major issues. <br />The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) and the Colorado Division of Water Resources <br />(CDWR) have identified a need for and funded a feasibility study to develop and implement a DSS <br />with appropriate analytical tools for making informed decisions regarding Rio Grande basin water <br />and water management. The Rio Grande Decision Support System (RGDSS) is intended to support <br />water management decision making for those concerned with Rio Grande water issues in Colorado. <br />The RGDSS first and foremost must provide state officials and water users in the Rio Grande basin an <br />effective system with which to plan, develop, and manage their water resources. The initial vision for <br />the RGDSS is to create a system that is capable of supporting a common database of information <br />required by water managers; providing an overall water budget for the Rio Grande; providing better <br />water planning and administration tools; and improving, if possible, runoff forecasting in the basin. <br />The RGDSS is intended to be an extension of and compatible with the existing Colorado River <br />Decision Support System (CROSS). Accordingly, the RGDSS will need to accomplish the following: <br />• Provide comprehensive, accurate, user-friendly databases compatible with the CDWR <br />HydroBase database <br />• Provide data and models to evaluate alternative water development and administration <br />strategies that can maximize the use of available resources in all types of hydrologic <br />conditions and the development of sound water resources management strategies <br />• Provide a functional, integrated system that can be maintained and upgraded by the State <br />• Have the capability to accurately represent current and potential federal and state <br />administrative and operational policies and laws <br />• Promote information sharing among government agencies and water users <br />Specifically, the RGDSS feasibility study objectives are listed below: <br />Identify the scope, functions, components, and data needs of a DSS for the Rio Grande <br />basin <br />• Identify the costs and schedule required to develop a DSS for the Rio Grande basin <br />• Determine the feasibility of developing a DSS for the Rio Grande similar to the CROSS <br />This report is introduced through a brief discussion of the study purposes. In addition, the Rio Grande <br />basin is described, including the geographic and geohydrologic setting, the water development and <br />a454/report/fmaUintro.doc 07/2&~OS l - l <br />