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Water Resources Administration Issues <br />The DWR has responsibility for administering the water rights in Colorado's rivers. This is a challenging <br />task made complicated by changing flows and reservoir levels, and increased uses of the state's waters. <br />State water managers are seeking more efficient administration to maximize conservation and prevent <br />waste. Recreation and tourism have become the state's second leading industry in recent years. Water is <br />needed to support fishing, whitewater rafting, and other water-based recreational activities. The water <br />supply available to the different interests can be increased through the use of comprehensive real-time <br />information and prediction tools contained in the Colorado River Decision Support System (CRDSS). <br />II. COLORADO RIVER DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM <br />MOTIVATION FOR A DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM <br />As Colorado enters a new era of water management, cooperation among state agencies, water providers <br />and water users is essential so that informed decisions can be made. A comprehensive decision support <br />system is needed that will provide Colorado agencies, water users and managers a better means for <br />organizing, accessing and evaluating a wide range of information and alternative strategies, and to <br />establish informed and factual positions regarding the major issues. <br />In 1992, the Colorado State Legislature authorized the CWCB to conduct a needs analysis and feasibility <br />study for a Colorado River Decision Support System. In 1993, the Board was authorized to design and <br />implement the CRDSS. The Governor's Executive Order of July 1992 established the Colorado River <br />Policy Advisory Council and the associated Decision Support System Advisory Committee to address <br />Colorado River matters and provide advice and guidance regarding CRDSS. <br />CRDSS GOALS AND OBJECTIVES <br />The principal goal of the CRDSS is to provide the capability to develop credible information on which to <br />base informed decisions concerning management of Colorado River water resources. The CRDSS will: <br />• Develop accurate, user-friendly databases helpful in the administration and allocation of waters of <br />the Colorado River and its tributaries. <br />