WSPC06972

• File Number: 8283.100
• Description: Colorado River Computer Models - Colorado River Simulation System - Reclamation - CORSIM
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 9/1/1973
• Author: DOI-BOR
• Title: Application of a River Network Model to Water Quality Investigations for the Colorado River
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

001811

Introduction

This report describes the application of a simplified flow and salt
accounting model to the Colorado River Basin. Referring to Figure 1,
the upper boundaries of the modeled portion consisted of the four
stations

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- Colorado River near Cisco, Utah
- Green River at Green River, Utah
- San Rafael River near Green River, Utah'
- San Juan River near Bluff, Utah

while the lower boundary was the Colorado River at Imperial Dam,
Arizona-California.

The model, previously referred to as the "Colorado River Quick and
Dirty Model" or the "Interim Water Quality Simulation Model for the
Colorado River," was nominally intended to duplicate procedures used
in the biennial progress report on water quality in the Colorado River
Basin.[l]* Although there are many similarities, there are also
fundamental differences since the model simulates reservoir operations.

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The model was programed in FORTRAN IV and is operational on the Control
Data Corporation (CDC) -3800 computer located at the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) computer center in Boulder, Colo-
rado. It is a completely general program and may be applied to other
river basins. System definition and operation as well as activities
within 'the basin are specified by the input data. A user's manual [2]
is available and should be consulted for details of the program.

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A number of runs were made in attaining a base condition comparable
to the present modified results produced by the biennial report method.
Conclusions derived from this experience are presented, parameters used
in the program application are detailed, and the estimated effects of
future basin developments, salinity control projects, and water augmen-
tation measures are given.

Model Description

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The model is basically an accounting system with limited simulation
capabilities. Flows and salinity are routed through the river sys-
tem using a time frame of 1 month. Time-dependent interactions of

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. The first number in brackets refers to references contained in the
list of references cited. \'/here pertinent, specific page or figure
numbers of the reference follow its number.