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DWR and CWCB Flood Hardening of Existing Stream Gages Page 2 <br /> user needs such as water rights administration, compact protection, flood forecasting and warning, and • <br /> Decision Support System implementation and use. DWR must maintain the electronics in satellite-linked <br /> data collection stations, refurbish gage station infrastructure and non-electronic hardware for stations that <br /> are deteriorating, harden certain key stations against flood events so that we can continue to collect <br /> critical, real-time stream flow data in times of flood, refurbish/replace cableways used for high flow <br /> measurements or implement alternate means of high flow measurement(for subsequent calibration of <br /> the upper end of stage-discharge relationships), and continue, as necessary, the operation of vital gages <br /> which are currently operated by the United States Geological Survey(USGS). The current request is <br /> part of a continuing annual request for funds to support this program. <br /> Background <br /> The Satellite-linked Monitoring System (SMS)has been operating since 1985, starting with 82 linked gaging <br /> stations. As the need for the data has increased, the SMS has expanded. Since inception, in excess of 7.5 <br /> million dollars has been spent to develop the infrastructure of the SMS. Currently, DWR operates and <br /> maintains over 450 data collection platforms(DCPs)on rivers, streams, reservoirs, ditches and canals to <br /> collect and transmit basic stream flow and water elevation data for water administration, including interstate <br /> compacts, and flood flow alerts. Collectively, these platforms and the computer equipment in Denver are the <br /> Satellite-linked Monitoring System (SMS). The USGS and other entities operate an additional 300+ sites in <br /> Colorado. The USGS and DWR are working to improve data availability and reduce duplication through <br /> improved gaging station effectiveness. The SMS provides basic water flow data to the staffs of the Division <br /> of Water Resources and Colorado Water Conservation Board; to many public and private entities, such as <br /> the Cities of Colorado Springs and Aurora, the Denver Water Board, the Arkansas River Compact <br /> Commission, Emergency Coordinators for most Colorado counties; to water rights holders; and to many <br /> recreationists such as fishermen, rafters, etc. Many programs of the DWR, such as the Dam Safety <br /> Program, Colorado River Decision Support System and the Rio Grande Decision Support System, and <br /> various river operations spreadsheets used by the seven Division Engineers for water administration were <br /> • <br /> built to rely upon the real-time data acquired through the SMS. Water resources accounting programs <br /> utilizing the SMS include the Dolores Project, the Colorado-Big Thompson Project and the Fryingpan- <br /> Arkansas River Project. Also CWCB programs, such as Stream and Lake Protection, Flood Protection and <br /> Water Supply Protection utilize the real-time data. <br /> FY2009-10 Funding Request <br /> Replacement of Satellite Telemetry Equipment <br /> DWR requests $245,000 in FY2009-10 for the replacement of out-dated DCPs and associated satellite <br /> telemetry equipment and the upgrade of satellite transmission components. The National Oceanic and <br /> Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)operates the GOES satellite via which stream stage and water body <br /> surface elevation data are telemetered from remote sites to the central computer in Denver. The use of this <br /> satellite and all the ancillary hardware and software, including staffing, is valued at over$500 million dollars. <br /> The State of Colorado has been able to utilize this system at no charge. By 2001, the use of the GOES <br /> satellite system had increased to the point where demand had begun to exceed satellite channel capacity. <br /> NOAA, therefore, mandated that all DCPs using the GOES satellites for data transmission must be upgraded <br /> by 2013 to transmit data at a faster rate. In addition, NOAA, through the Satellite Telemetry Interagency <br /> Working Group(of which the State of Colorado is a non-voting member)continues to explore means of <br /> increasing the capacity of the GOES satellite system. Many of the DCPs that DWR operates can not be <br /> upgraded and therefore have to be completely replaced. The useful life of this equipment averages about 8- <br /> 10 years, sometimes shorter in the humid and/or harsh cold environments in which the equipment is housed. <br /> In order to continue using the present system to collect and transmit basic stream flow and water body <br /> elevation data, all sets of electronic equipment must be replaced approximately every 8-10 years. Since <br /> DWR operates over 450 total sets of DCP equipment this equates to an average of about 45 replacements <br /> per year. An important benefit of the high data rate upgrade program has been the more frequent(from <br /> • <br />