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<br />EXPLORING WAYS <br />OF INCREASING <br />THE USE OF <br />SOUTH PLATTE <br />WATER <br /> <br />INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />Increasing population along Colorado's Front <br />Range presents an ongoing challenge lor water <br />managers. These managers must find ways of <br />maximizing the uses of available water to meet re- <br />quirements of water users without damage to water- <br />right owners. Efficient management of water is <br />imperative to meet the ever-increasing demands 01 <br />municipalities, industry and agriculture. <br /> <br /> <br />Water Pollution <br />Supply Control <br /> <br />Fish and Recreation <br />Wildlife <br /> <br /> <br />A system of storage reservoirs in combination with <br />interlocking rivers and canals is a complex network <br />that offers many options for skillful water manage- <br />ment. To examine these options water managers are <br />advised to raise "what if" questions that might <br />conceivably lead to better use of the available water <br />resource. <br /> <br />Addressing "What If" Questions <br /> <br />What if storage water rights were satisfied by <br />flexible delivery from any reservoir in position to make <br />delivery? Such a question leads to examination of a <br />possible water management option different from <br />prevailing practice." It mayor may not be a viable <br />option. Statutory requirements for water rights ad- <br />ministration may be one reason. Unwillingness of <br />water-right holders to pool their waters and accept <br />the flexible-delivery scheme is another likely con- <br />straint. But if the option is physically possible, and if it <br />offers to water-right owners sufficient advantages in <br />improved water supply or other incentives, the <br />constraints may be relaxed by appropriate statutory <br />or voluntary changes. <br />An important tool for answering such "what if" <br />questions is a simulation model of the water system. <br />This is made possible by the modern high-speed <br />digital computer. A simulation model is no more than <br />a computational procedure, but so many calculations <br />are required that without a computer the task would <br />be impractical. The model and computer go hand-in- <br />hand, each depending on the other. <br /> <br /> <br />To properly address water management questions, <br />a simulation model must be able to trace the life cycle <br /> <br />.To a limifed extent, river commissioners of the Colorado Division <br />of Water Resources do now administer storage rights and direct <br />flow rights with flexibility to accommodate exchanges agreed <br />upon by water-right owners. <br /> <br />1 <br />