WSPC06904

• File Number: 8283.200
• Description: Colorado River Basin-Colorado River Computer Models-Colorado River Decision Support System-Ray
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 3/29/1994
• Title: Project Management-Future Framework for CRDSS Management
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Operating Principles/Plan

MAR-29-1994 09'47 FROM RIVERSIDE TECHNOLOGY,INC

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13038564474275 P.02

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TOWARD A FUTURE FRAMEWORK
FOR CRDSS MANAGEMENT

Wirh the CROSS. the State of Colorado is paying for rhe development of 3n advanced information
system featuring databases, models, and decision support features, In effect. the system will be a
capital asset that requires rhe same type of care as orher capital, except that this asset has two
distinctive features: continuously evolving technology and a revolving door of users. Dealing wirh
these features. evolving technology and revolving users, requires a special approach to CROSS
development and management.

Nature of CROSS

As CRDSS is to be data,driven, its basic platform is data. Eventually, these data will be available in
GIS maps and in digital numerical fonn. While we have a good idea of some of it, such as the
consumptive use inputs and stream gaging data. rhe organization and frameworks for data
management will evolve on a collaborative hasis, Eventually. a single management entity will be
required to manage the data.

Next, CRDSS features simulation models, First. the Big River Model is required to give identical
simulations of the entire river basin to enable Colomdo to check its policies against those of the
Bureau and srates, and vice, versa. This being rhe case. the Big River Model must be developed in
parallel with Bureau efforts. although an interim version may be developed while rhe Bureau plans
its program,

Next, the Water Rights Planning Model (WRPM) is to be a simulation model of water balances
within Colorado's subbasins of the river. These include the Gunnison, Yampa, Upper Colorado and
San Juan, and other subdh'isions. Initially, the WRPM will berequiced to undertake standard
modeling tasks such as reservoir operation accounting, water rights and exchange modeling, and
stream channel routing, Most importantly, the WRPM must perform these tasks in a realistic way
that recognizes Colorado's water rights administration system,

As the CRDSS evolves, each of its components must come under unified management or the capital
asset will be dispersed. A long-term management plan to provide the unified management is
required. This management plan must be worked out within the responsible agency, Colorado's
Department of Natural Resources. Suggestions for the plan follow:

I, Databases

Several databases are under development and may generally fit one of three types: data that can be
managed within the SEO water rights administration databases; data rhat are unique to and necessary
for the operation of the models; and data such as that used in policy srudies but not falling in the
other categories. As CROSS is developed, the SEO data should be captured in the SEO database, the
model input data should remain with the CROSS models, and the other data should be cataloged in
reports and disks for later retrieval on an as-needed basis.

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