7285

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7285
• Author: Stewart, J. M.
• Title: Summary of Water-Resources Activities of the U.S. Geological Survey in Colorado, Fiscal Year 1987.
• USFW Year: 1987.
• USFW - Doc Type: Open-File Report 87-388,
• Copyright Material: NO

PROJECT TITLE:

Statewide Water-Use Inventory

PROJECT NUMBER:

CO-78-007

STUDY LOCATION:

Statewide

COOPERATING AGENCY:

Colorado Department of Natural
Resources, Division of Water
Water Resources, Office of the
State Engineer

PROJECT CHIEF AND
OFFICE:

David L. Litke, District Office, Lakewood

PROJECT DURATION:

October 1977 to September 1987

PROBLEM: Water-use data in Colorado are not complete and detailed enough for
planning purposes and implementation of a State Water Plan. Sources of
water supplies, water use, and the volume of water consumed or available
for multiple-use requires documentation, so State and local managers and
planners may be better informed to make decisions for development of the
State's water resources.

OBJECTIVES: Develop an inventory procedure to obtai n both current and future
water-use data. Develop a computerized data base that can be accessed by
a variety of users.

APPROACH: Obtain water-use data by contacting users, accessing pre-existing
data bases, and developing estimation techniques when necessary.

PROGRESS: Water-use data for Colorado for 1985 were collected for twelve
categori es of water use. Data were summari zed for each of Colorado IS
63 counties and 98 hydro 1 ogi c units. An i rri gat ion water- use data base
was established for estimating irrigation water use for 1970-85. A
computerized data base showing monthly ditch withdrawals for the State's
15,000 ditches also was established.

PLANS FOR FY 87: Site specific water-use information will be entered into an
INFO data base. ARC-INFO (proprietary software package) will be investi-
gated as a tool in analysis and presentation of water-use data. A report
discussing water use by county in Colorado will be prepared.

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