Senate Joint Resolution 94-32 Concerning the Management, Conservation, and Preservation of Water Resources of CO

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u is 5. o Conclusions The key conclusions and products of this report are: • A bibliography has been developed which describes approximately 7,500 pertinent reports related .to water supply, drought periods, expected shortages, and interstate compacts. On a broad scale, a wealth of individual information items exist throughout the state. Local, smaller scale, data also exists, but are too numerous to describe. The bibliography shows that most of the data on a statewide basis has not been updated since the early 1970's. • Large scale data collection needs are significant and include additional irrigated acreage information in Divisions 1, 2, and 3 and ground water pumping data in Divisions 1 and 3. Compilation of statewide data is also needed. Detailed, local data requirements are expected to continue to be addressed as needed. • Data management needs are large in Divisions 1, 2 and 3. These needs are similar to those which resulted in developing the Colorado River Decision Support System (CRDSS) for Divisions 4, 5, 6 and 7, and the South Platte Water Rights Management System (SPWRMS) in Division 1. A plan and schedule have been developed which will allow a statewide "Colorado Water Decision Support System" to be realized. The development of this system is estimated to cost 5 million dollars and would take approximately 8 years to complete. • Development of accurate water budgets throughout the state is difficult given the current level of data collection and available resources. Approximately 70 % of the water available for use in Colorado comes during the May though July runoff period. Therefore, the keys to drought preparedness must include storage and runoff forecasting, demand management, interruptible supply arrangements, conjunctive use and other innovative tools to aid in managing Colorado's water resources. While there may be adequate storage to meet today's needs under normal runoff conditions, there is not enough storage to sustain these uses through a severe and sustained period of drought. However, development of additional storage is very expensive, permit intensive, and requires 20 to 30 years from planning to construction. As growth continues in the state, the ability to meet increasing demands and to sustain water supplies through droughts will become increasingly difficult. Decisions on how future supply demands are met will have to be made in the very near future if the state is to meet those demands. In the Colorado River Basin (Water Divisions 4, 5, 6 and 7), consumptive use of water is the measure of Colorado's compact apportionment under the "Law of the Colorado 17