CDSS_2001_Annual_Preport

• Title: CDSS 2001 Annual Report
• Description: A recap of the work done for and by the Colorado Decision Support Systems.
• Decision Support - Doc Type: Publication
• Date: 1/1/2002
• DSS: All
• Basin: Statewide
• Prepared By: CWCB

Products and documentation from these contracts are Decision Support System (SPDSS) will encompass
also available on the CDSS website. These products the entire South Platte and North Platte River basins.
include databases and data viewing and analysis The South Platte River basin study area includes all
tools. of Water Division 1 except Water Districts 49 and 65
that cover to the Republican River drainage. The
A Memorandum of Understanding was negotiated North Platte River basin study area includes Water
with the Rio Grande Water Conservation District District 47 in Water Division 6 and Water Districts
(RGWCD). This cooperative agreement provides for 48 and 76 in Water Division 1.
the RGWCD to observe and publish water level data
for the 15 confined aquifer wells constructed under The SPDSS will consist of data that characterize the
RGDSS. In return, the State observes and publishes hydrologic and hydrogeologic features of these
streamflow data for 13 new gages constructed under basins and tools that provide enhanced water
RGDSS; 11 located on the east rim of the valley and administration and water resource planning
2 located on the Conejos River. capabilities. The purpose of the SPDSS is to assist
water users and State officials in developing,
Colorado River Basin
managing, and preserving the water resources of the
North Platte and South Platte River basins. It is
There have been numerous activities within the
estimated to cost $15 million dollars to develop over
various West Slope basins that required the use of the
a six to seven year period or approximately $2
CRDSS surface water planning models. The Yampa
million per year. The initial effort will focus on
River basin model is being used extensively in the
collecting the hydrologic data for basic information
formulation of “A Management Plan for the Yampa
for the CWCB, DWR, and water users to fulfill their
River Basin” which is intended to promote the
own specific needs and in model input and
recovery of its endangered fishes. Similar activities
calibration information for the State and water users.
were completed for the 15 Mile Reach PBO and are
currently underway in the Gunnison River associated
with the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish
2002 Goals
Recovery Program and the quantification of the
National Park Service reserved water rights filing in
This coming year will be devoted to developing a
the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
detailed work plan for the ongoing maintenance of
existing System, beginning the first phase of the
Additional modeling activities are occurring on the
South Platte data collection effort and completing the
Colorado River as part of the Coordinated Facility
Rio Grande ground water model. Focus will also be
Operation Study and on the San Juan River related to
on filling the positions available under the pending
the reoperation of Navajo Reservoir. The water
operation and maintenance decision item.
resource planning model has recently been upgraded
to better reflect the water uses by irrigators. With the
South Platte Development
model upgrade, the existing river basin water
The first development contracts of SPDSS will be
resource planning models need to be modified to
negotiated and the data collection component of the
reflect this update.
SPDSS initiated. Data collection activities are
expected to begin with the mapping of irrigated
A pilot study was completed that looked at how to
acreage and the collection of key administrative data.
efficiently undertake the task of updating the GIS
irrigated acreage coverages in the future. Based on
Rio Grande Development
this pilot study, work is proceeding with updating
This will be the final year of the Rio Grande Decision
irrigated acreage for the western slope. Work was
Support System development. Major activities are
done in cooperation with the Upper Gunnison River
expected to include completion of the ground water
Water Conservancy District and the Colorado River
model and the ground water portion of the surface
Water Conservation District to complete a water use
water model.
study using several CDSS tools.
South Platte River Basin
The South Platte DSS feasibility study was
completed in November 2001. The South Platte