BOARD01778

• Board Meeting Date: 11/20/2000
• Description: Directors' Reports
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

threshold that might warrant development of additional water resources. The study is currently in progress. We are
awaiting a final version of the Plan of Study.

State Engineer's Office - Satellite Monitoring Svstem Maintenance
Authorization: Annual Construction Fund Bill Grant Amount: $120,000
Water Source: Inclusive of streams in all basins Project Type: Stream Gauge Maint.
Location: Statewide Project Manager: Jeff Baessler

e

This project involves the continued maintenance of the State of Colorado Satellite-linked monitoring system (SMS). The
Division of Water Resources (DWR) is responsible for the SMS which has been in operation since 1985 and has become
an important administration and management tool. The DWR operates approximately 300 satellite gaging stations
throughout the state. Approximately 210 are operating with aging Satellite Data Collection Platforms (DCPs) which are
becoming obsolete. These DCP's potentially must be replaced by 201 I, when the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration-National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) implements high-speed
satellite transmissions. Along with the replacement process, the DWR must increase the number of stations that are
maintained in order to provide better administration, take over stations the United States Geologic Survey (USGS) has
been operating, improve monitoring of CWCB instream flow rights, and aid in the maintenance and continued
development of the State's Decision Support Systems. Of the 300 stations, only 90 have new model 8210 DCPs that are
capable of operating within the coming NESDIS guidelines.

The CWCBs construction fund has been providing $120,000 per year to pay for the replacement of old DCPs. In
FY I 998- I 999 these funds were used to replace approximately fifteen satellite installations with new electronic equipment
in addition to a modest gaging station renovation program. However, in order to keep pace with the changing technology
and NESDIS requirements, it has been estimated by DWR that approximately $240,000 per year will now be required.
At its January 2000 Board Meeting, the CWCB approved $120,000 for year 2000 fttnding, but suggested that future
funding of the SMS be moved out ofthe annual construction fund Bill request and into the DWR permanent Long Bill.

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation - Closed Basin Proiect e
Authorization: HB 00-1419 Grant Amount: $188,000
Water Source: Closed Basin Project Type: Right of Way Acqsition
Location: San Luis Valley N. of Alamosa Project Manager: Mike Serlet
This project is the acquisition of right-of-way (ROW) for the Closed Basin project in the San Luis Valley. The project was
completed several years ago however, based on contractttal agreement, the ROW needs to be acquired frorn the State Land
Board by the CWCB and then assigned to the Bureatt of Reclamation (BaR) for their operation of the project. The BaR has
defined the legal descriptions for the ROWand the Land Board is currently preparing the land transfer docttments. The final
acqttisition process should be completed in 2001.

CWCB - Sottth Platte River Water Management and Storalle Sites
Authorization: HB 00-1419 Grant Amottnt: $140,000
Water Source: South Platte River Project Type: Water Supply Study
Location: Project Manager: Rick Brown

This project is a reconnaissance level study of water management and storage sites in the lower South Platte basin. The
study area will focus on potential water management opportunities from approximately the Tamarack Ranch State Wildlife
Area to the Colorado-Nebraska state-line. The study is intended to provide information that will assist in identifying surface
storage structures that could facilitate Colorado's management of South Platte River flows, including coordination with
ground water recharge projects, for in-state beneficial uses, such as water right and South Platte River Compact
administration and providing benefits for biological species of concern in Colorado, and for participation in an endangered
species program being developed pursuant to the Platte River Cooperative Agreement.

A scope of work for the study has been finalized with input from a technical advisory committee. It is anticipated that a tit
Request for Qualifications will be advertised in mid-September 2000. The qualified consultant will be selected and the study