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Memorandum to CWCB Page 2 <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 500 data collection platforms (DCPs)on rivers, streams, reservoirs, ditches and canals to <br /> collect and transmit basic stream flow and water elevation data to support the Division's primary mission of <br /> water rights administration. Included is support of interstate compact administration, and flow alerts based <br /> on parameter thresholds (e.g., low flow alerts in support of CWCB 1SF programs, high flow alerts in support <br /> of flood protection decision making and flood warning). Collectively,these platforms and the computer <br /> equipment in Denver are the Satellite-linked Monitoring System (SMS). The USGS and other entities <br /> operate an additional 300+ sites in Colorado. The USGS and DWR are working to improve data availability <br /> and reduce duplication through improved gaging station effectiveness. The SMS provides basic water flow <br /> data to the staffs of the Division of Water Resources and Colorado Water Conservation Board;to many <br /> public and private entities, such as the Cities of Colorado Springs and Aurora, the Denver Water Board, the <br /> Arkansas River Compact Commission, Emergency Coordinators for most Colorado counties; to water rights <br /> holders; and to many recreationists such as fishermen, rafters, etc. Many programs of the DWR, such as <br /> various river operations analysis spreadsheets used in each of the seven DWR Division offices for water <br /> administration, and the DWR Safety of Dams Program rely upon the real-time data acquired through the <br /> SMS. Water resources accounting programs utilizing the SMS include the Dolores Project, the Colorado-Big • <br /> Thompson Project and the Fryingpan-Arkansas River Project. CWCB programs, such as Stream and Lake <br /> Protection, Flood Protection and Water Supply Protection also utilize the real-time data. <br /> FY2010-11 Funding Request <br /> Replacement of Satellite Telemetry Equipment <br /> DWR requests $195,000 in FY2010-11 for the replacement of out-dated DCPs and associated satellite <br /> telemetry equipment and upgrade of associated satellite transmission components. The National Oceanic <br /> and 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 be upgraded by <br /> 2013 to transmit data at 300 baud as compared to the 100 baud rate of first generation DCPs. It is projected <br /> that the upgrade to high data rate DCPs throughout the DWR satellite monitoring system will be completed in <br /> FY2010-11. An important benefit of the high data rate upgrade program has been the more frequent(from <br /> once per four hours to once per hour)transmission of data from remote sites to the central computer. This <br /> has resulted in near'real-time' data on the system. The current equipment costs of a high data rate DCP <br /> upgrade with the new GOES transceivers, antennas, batteries, gage height sensors, solar panels, wiring, and <br /> grounding equipment for a standard stilling well type stream gage station is about$5000. <br /> In addition, NOAA, through the Satellite Telemetry Interagency Working Group(of which the State of <br /> Colorado is a non-voting member)continues to explore means of increasing the capacity of the GOES <br /> • <br /> satellite system. NOAA is currently planning the next technology upgrade: implementation of narrow band <br /> transmission protocols. This improvement will cut the band width of each telemetry assignment from 300 <br /> kHz to 150 kHz, effectively doubling the satellite transmission capacity. Most GOES transmitter <br /> manufacturers have agreed this will be a firmware upgrade to their equipment, as opposed to the wholesale <br />