BOARD02200

• Board Meeting Date: 3/26/2001
• Description: CWCB Director's Report
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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Platte Water Conservancy District, Ground Water Appropriators of the South Platte, the Platte
River Project, and the Colorado Division of Wildlife.

CWCB Colorado River Decision Support Svstem
Authorization: SB 96-153
Water Source: Colorado River
Location: Coiorado River

Grant Amount: $6,000,000
Project Type: Decision Support Systrn
Project Manager: Randy Seahohn

The Colorado River Decision Support System (CRDSS) is a multi-year project that began in
1993 that has databases and models which provide improved data and decision making capability
for many criticai Colorado River pI arming, administrative and operationai issues. The CRDSS is
centered around databases containing historical information on streamflow, climate and water
uses, as well as tabulations of water rights and water management policies. Data are keyed to
locations in the river basin using a geographic information system. This computer-based system
allows decision-makers to access water resource data and to simulate potential decisions and
policies, and examine potential consequences. CRDSS is 98% complete and is being used as a
management to in all of the 5 major river basins.

Grand Valley Water Users Association Grand Valley Water Management Proiect
Authorization: SB 97-008 Grant AmoUnt: $1,250,000
Water Source: Colorado River Project Type: Irrigation Canal Rehab.
Location: Mesa County - N. of Grand Junction Project Manager: Randy Seahohn

. This project is the construction of check structures and automated control systems in the
Government Highline Canal near Grand Junction. The project is designed to conserve water by
reducing late SUllll1ler spills from the Government Highline Canal and to use as much of the
conserved water as possibie to increase flows in the Colorado River and help recover endangered
fish. Theproject is in conjunction with the CWCB, the Grand Valley Water Users Association
and the Bureau of Reclamation. The grant funds will be used for long term maintenance and
operation of the system. The Association has invested the grant funds in long-tenn securities,
thus developing a cash flow to be used for the project expenses. The Bureau has awarded the
check structure construction contract to May Concrete, Inc. of Grand Junction. Construction will
commence in November 2000 and be completed by April 1, 2001.

Denver Museum of Natural History - Denver Basin Aouifer Core Study
Authorization: HE 98-1189 Grant Amount: $90,000
Water Source: Denver Basin Aquifer Project Type: Gmdwater Investigation
Location: Bibert County, 1 mi. E. of Kiowa Project Manager: Mike Serlet

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This project is the acquisition of a 2,200-foot core of the Denver Basin aquifers near Kiowa in the
central Denver Basin. The purpose of the core is to heip develop an integrated hydrologic and
geologic framework for the Denver Basin aquifers. This will ensble State, County, and municipal
planners to promote appropriate development of the Basin's water resources. This core-drilling
project is part of a three-year National Science Foundation research study thai will focus on the
evolution of the Denver Basin and its landscapes. Drilling commenced March 1, 1999 by Layne
Western, Inc. and was completed in April. Core analysis will continue for three years.