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_i <br />3.1 INTRODUCTION <br />3.0 BASIN-WIDE HYDROL06IC MODEL <br />J Water availability in the Study Area was evaluated using a computerized <br />model of the area's water resources and the existing water rights which affect <br />usage of these resources. The geographic size of the basin, the complexity of <br />-� Colorado water law, and the large number of existin9 water rights in the basin <br />(approximately 5000 absolute decrees for consumptive use) made the use of a <br />Icomputer-based tool, or model, essential. <br />I The model was developed to meet the following general objectives: 1) to <br />simulate the historical hydrology of the basin, 2) to administer basin water <br />rights in accordance with Colorado water law, and 3) to represent the <br />Ioperation of existing water development facilities in the basin. <br />IThe model identifies areas of major water shortages under alternative <br />development assumptions and predicts future development that can be undertaken <br />� without impacting existing absolute water rights. The model can be utilized <br />� to identify geographical areas, legal considerations, and institutional issues <br />to be evaluated in greater detail in future phases of the study, if <br />undertaken.. <br />fThe remainder of this chapter discusses the development of the model, the <br />simplifying assumptions made, and the limitations of the model. <br />3.2 MODEL DESCRIPTION <br />' The basin model was developed using a network optimization modeling <br />I system. This type of modeling system uses sophisticated mathematical <br />relationships to allocate water in accordance with the seniority of the water <br />rights modeled. The result is that the model operates more efficiently than <br />Imodels based on simple accounting methods. In the model, the basin is <br />characterized as an interconnected network of reference lines called links <br />I <br />3-1 <br />