BOARD02021 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Page 2 " Background: The Colorado Water and Power Authority funded the purchase of the satellite-linked monitoring system (SMS) in the middle 80's. It consisted of a network of 150 stream gauges, which were upgraded with satellite telemetry. including data collection platforms (DCP's). The signal from the DCP's is transmitted via the GOES satellite to a direct readout ground station installed in the Centennial Building. The base level of operation and maintenance of this system is funded through a general fund appropriation of approximately $200,000/year. User fees collected from water users provide approximately $50,000/year. In the early 90's a VAX computer and 35 additional DCP's were purchased by the CWPA to enhance the system. Existing General and Cash Funds were not sufficient to replace the aging DCP's, " - In 1993, the Division of Water Resources applied to the CWCB for $113,000 to acquire 15 new sets of satellite telemetry equipment and to systematically refurbish the stream gauges operated throughout the state. The request was based on the need to replace aging OCP's, that generally have a useful life of approximately 10 years. In addition, funding was proposed for the systematic refurbishment of stream-flow measurement gauges throughout the network to ensure quality data. The Division of Water Resources submitted annual requests to fund these needs to the CWCB since 1993. In 1997, the amount was increased to $120.000 to cover increased costs of DCP's. A total of 90 DCP's have been acquired and installed in the original 150 sites. A majority of the 90 old DCP's removed were repaired and utilized to add satellite telemetry to additional stream gauges, ditches and canals throughout the state for water administration and instream flow monitoring. At present the SMS operates OCP's in approximately 300 sites, approximately 95% of all stream gauges operated by the DWR have satellite telemetry. In addition to the measurement of stream flow many important canals and ditches within the state also have DCP's. This system provides accurate, real-time stream flow data to the DWR, other state and Federal agencies, water users and the public. The system is used for water administration, flood and drought waming, recreation, and many other . uses. The Colorado Water Conservation Division uses the SMS for instream flow monitoring, assisiance with flood and drought waming, interstate compact administration, and input data to the various decision support systems developed in conjunction with OWR During FYOO the Division of Water Resources is converting the base hardware and software from the aging VAX computer to a server on our Windows NT network. Funding for this conversion has come from the normal operation and maintenance funds appropriated to the Division of Water Resources, a portion of which is provided by fees charged to water users. Over the last few years, NESDIS has been developing a new DCP technology to increase the rate of transmission from the DCP to the GEOS satellite from 100 baud to 300 baud. The new technology results in more transmissions from more stations, It does, however, require a new DCP, NESDIS has given satellite users such as the State of Colorado approximately 10 years to replace all existing OCP's with the new ones. At this time, we are expected to have all our 100-baud DCP's replaced by 2010. NESDIS does not charge cooperators such as the State of Colorado for the use of the GOES satellite and down links as long as we make all our data available to other agencies, such as the USGS, NWS. etc. We are also given access to all the data transmitted by others via the GOES, Proposed Plan: The FY01 request is an increase from the requests made for the last six years. The increase is necessary to keep the SMS providing stream flow data. Similar funding will be required annually during the next ten years for replacement of OCP's on the existing 300 sites with 300-baud DCP's and continued refurbishment of existing steam gauges. Cc: Jack Byers Mike Serlet Jim McDanold .