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Development of the SPDSS will build upon the experience, databases, tools and models already <br />completed for the CRDSS and RGDSS. The South Platte River basin, however, is a more <br />complex river basin from hydrologic, hydrogeologic and institutional perspectives than either the <br />Colorado River or the Rio Grande basins. Consequently, in order to produce a working SPDSS <br />it will be necessary, in some instances, to develop new data and enhance or develop new analysis <br />tools and models. <br />This feasibility study is based on the needs identified by water users, the CWCB and DWR as <br />expressed in a series of interviews and meetings. An original set of 71 interviews was conducted <br />with water users and State officials in late 2000 and early 2001 to determine these needs. This <br />was supplemented with three public meetings located throughout the basin and numerous <br />individual meetings with water users that have continued throughout the feasibility study. A <br />core advisory group has been formed and met twice. Their guidance is expected to continue <br />throughout development and implementation of the SPDSS. Technical advisory groups are also <br />expected to form during implementation to provide input and guidance on specific SPDSS <br />components. <br />SPDSS ALTERNATIVES <br />Based on the needs identified by the water users, the CWCB and DWR, the feasibility study <br />consulting team evaluated the components necessary to provide the specified functionality. In <br />some cases, a need could be addressed purely by a data component (e.g., additional data <br />collection). In other cases, a need could be addressed only through the use of modeling or <br />implementation of a new tool. Where a tool was needed, existing CDSS components were <br />evaluated and enhancements identified, if necessary. Through this process, three alternative <br />levels of development for the SPDSS were identified: <br />Alternative 1 gives the water users, CWCB and DWR a "good start alternative" that <br />begins to collect data and develop tools for administration and planning. It includes a data <br />collection program that is required to better manage the system, develops monthly water <br />resource planning tools and provides limited support for improving water administration. <br />It also includes updating the existing SB 96-74 groundwater model of the Denver Basin. <br />Because alternative 1 is the "good start alternative", neither the data collection nor <br />planning tools will meet many of the needs of the CWCB, DWR or water users in the <br />near future nor all the needs listed in Chapter 2. <br />Alternative 2 is the "recommended alternative" that provides the water users, CWCB and <br />DWR a cost effective DSS that collects necessary data and develops appropriate tools for <br />administration and planning. Alternative 2 builds on the activities listed under <br />Alternative 1, plus the additional data collection and components that will be needed by <br />the CWCB and DWR to efficiently carry out their respective duties both at the monthly <br />and daily level. Alternative 2 expands the data collection program to include diversions <br />that represent 85 percent of the average recorded diversions annually. Additional <br />monitoring wells will be constructed, providing needed information on the geologic <br />structure and aquifer properties of the groundwater basins. The surface and groundwater <br />planning tools will be expanded to enable water users, the CWCB and DWR to address <br />p:Adata\gen\spdss\final report\executive summary.doc E'-2 <br />October 31, 2001 <br />