Colorado Water Conversation Board Division of Water Resources

Home Browse Search

Lake McConaughy, and (3) utilizing a groundwater recharge and river re- regulation project on the Tamarack State Wildlife Area in Colorado. The plan identifies other water conservation or water supply means for further enhancing flow conditions by an additional 60,000 to 80,000 acre -feet per year from water conservation or new water supply sources within the three States (Governance Committee of the Cooperative Agreement for Platte River Research 2000). Colorado's portion of the Water Action Plan is known as the Tamarack Plan. The Tamarack Plan includes a variety of activities (both on and off the state wildlife area) aimed at re- timing water from periods when flows are in excess of target flows to periods when there are shortages. For example, at the state wildlife area groundwater can be pumped from the South Platte alluvium up to ponds and recharge areas to re- regulate flows that are in excess of legal rights and physical demands for water in Colorado. The ponds and recharge areas provide instate environmental benefits for Colorado species of concern and other wildlife. A secondary benefit of the groundwater recharge that results from the Tamarack Plan is an estimated increase in flows at the Julesburg gage by an average of approximately 27,000 acre -feet over the flows that would otherwise occur during that period. Water rights for the operation of the components of the Tamarack Plan will be obtained and exercised under Colorado law for beneficial uses in Colorado (Platte River Endangered Species Partnership 2000). An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is currently being prepared for the Platte River program, as well as a range of alternatives as required under the National Environmental Policy Act. Following completion of the EIS, the Federal government and States may agree to participate in a 15 -year implementation program. 1.4 DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS The term DSS has become a common phrase used to describe multiple software products and systems that are linked together. A DSS is typically a group of databases and tools that help users make decisions, not by telling them what to do, but by providing data displays, analytical results, and model output that summarize the information that the decision maker needs in order to make a decision. A DSS does not have to be large or complex, but it should provide a timely and relatively complete view of a problem such that it can be addressed efficiently and comprehensively. 1.4.1 DSS Classes DSS use can be divided into three main classes. 1. Planning DSS 2. Administration DSS 3. Integrated planning and administration DSS 1 -8 p:data \gen\spdss\final report \chapter Ldoc October 31, 2001