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<br />II. SYSTEM APPLICATIONS <br /> <br />A. Water Rights Administration <br /> <br />The primary utility of the Colorado satellite-linked monitoring system is <br />for water rights administration. The availability of real-time data from a <br />network of key gaging stations in each major river basin in Colorado provides <br />an overview of the hydrologic conditions of the basin that was previously not <br />available. By evaluating real-time data for upstream stations, downstream <br />flow conditions can typically be predicted 24 to 48 hours in advance. This <br />becomes an essential planning tool in the hands of the Division Engineers and <br />Water Commissioners. The "river call" can be adjusted more precisely to <br />satisfy as many water rights as possible. Access to real-time data makes it <br />possible to adjust the "river call" to match dynamic hydrologic conditions. <br />If additional water supplies are available, more junior rights can be satis- <br />fied. On the other hand, if water supplies decrease, then water use can be <br />curtailed to protect senior rights. <br /> <br />The administration of water rights in Colorado is becoming increasingly <br />more complex due to increased demands, implementation of augmentation plans, <br />water exchanges. transmountain diversions, and minimum streamflow require- <br />ments. The number of water rights increased by 19% from 1982 to 1987, from <br />102,028 to 121,415. The number of structures requiring direct administration <br />increased during the same period by 11% from 18,295 to 23,717. Plans for <br />water rights transfers approved by the water courts are becoming increasingly <br />complex. This is especially evident where agricultural water rights are <br />transferred to municipal use. One point that must not be overlooked is that <br />Colorado is currently in the high point of a wet cycle. Historical and <br />statistical evidence strongly indicate that Colorado can expect to experience <br />a downturn in this cycle. As the availability of water decreases, the neces- <br />sity of the system for water rights administration increases. <br /> <br />There is considerable interest in monitoring transmountain diversions, <br />both by western slope water users and the eastern slope entities diverting the <br />water. Transmountain diversion water is administered under different laws <br />than water originating in the basin. In general, this water may be claimed <br />for reuse by the diverter until it is totally consumed. Fourteen transmoun- <br />tain diversions are monitored by the system. <br /> <br />Water exchanges between water users are becoming increasingly frequent. <br />These exchanges can provide for more effective utilization of available water <br />resources in high demand river basins, but can be difficult to administer. <br />The satellite-linked monitoring system has proven to be an integral component <br />in monitoring and accounting of these exchanges. <br /> <br />Many municipalities and major irrigation companies have reservoir storage <br />rights. Generally, these entities can call for release of stored water on <br />demand. The Division Engineer must be able to delineate the natural flow from <br />the storage release while in the stream. He then must track the release and <br /> <br />-51- <br />