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<br />B. Division 2, Pueblo, Colorado, Arkansas River Basin <br />Robert Jesse, Division Engineer <br /> <br />The satellite monitoring system is being utilized effectively for water <br />rights administration throughout Division 2. This includes the administration <br />of direct diversion rights, storage rights, transmountain diversion water, the <br />Arkansas River Winter Water Storage Program, and the Arkansas River Interstate <br />Compact. Division 2 covers a large and diverse geographical area with a <br />number of major senior rights. It is an arid, water thirsty area that <br />typically dries up the Arkansas River at several locations during the late <br />irrigation season. <br /> <br />Division 2 staff use the satellite monitoring system to keep an account- <br />ing of transmountain diversions that are delivered to storage, storage by <br />exchange, and routed to ditches in the Lower Arkansas River Valley. The <br />system has been valuable in determining daily diversions in a timely manner <br />for accurate accounting and delivery. An example involves the exchange of <br />Colorado Springs' transmountain diversion water discharged into Fountain Creek <br />for storage in Turquoise Reservoir. <br /> <br />The capability to monitor inflows and outflows of reservoirs with <br />accuracy in a timely manner has helped in the administration and accounting of <br />reservoirs in the division. The routing of natural streamflow and reservoir <br />releases to storage or through a reservoir is difficult and takes constant <br />attention to maintain proper discharge and storage. The system also helps in <br />keeping close watch on reservoir releases so that we can determine the section <br />of the river the release is in and prevent any diversion of these releases <br />except by the ditch or ditches calling for the water. The Division Engineer <br />routinely utilizes the system to track reservoir releases from Clear Creek <br />Reservoir, Pueblo Reservoir, and John Martin Reservoir. <br /> <br />We have had much success with the system in our exchange programs. It <br />has been very valuable in determining the exact amounts of water available for <br />exchanges, This permits maximum use of water available with no injury to <br />other water rights. <br /> <br />The water commissioners in Division 2 have found the system to be an <br />essential tool in setting the "river call". Flow conditions can vary dramati- <br />cally in the period of hours rather than days due to diurnal effects of spring <br />runoff, major tributary inflow, flash flooding from summer precipitation <br />events, the effects of major irrigation diversions, and a high volume of <br />imported water (transmountain diversions). The basinwide overview provided by <br />the system on a real-time basis is a valuable tool for both short-term and <br />long-term planning. This allows for maximum efficiency in putting Colorado <br />water to beneficial use in Colorado. The system has been especially effective <br />in setting the "river call" in the lower Arkansas River basin from Pueblo <br />Reservoir to the stateline. <br /> <br />The system has become an integral factor in the management program of <br />John Martin Reservoir, along with the attendant responsibilities of assuring <br />proper deliveries to the state of Kansas and maximizing utilization of water <br /> <br />-93- <br />