WSP01765

• File Number: 8131.600
• Description: Southeastern Colorado Water conservancy District - SECWCD
• State: CO
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 2
• Date: 1/1/1972
• Title: Brochure No 7 - Scientific Water Management Arkansas Valley Colorado - 1969-2050 -- The Future of the Arkansas Valley is It's Water---
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

Analog-Computers at the Research Center in Phoenix,
Arizona. The Analog was completed in 1969, after
a number of years of field research, and is being
used to analyze the very complex ground water
programs in the San Luis Valley of Colorado. The
Valley is a closed basin, surrounded by 14,000 foot
peaks, which shed their heavy snows each year end
recharge the ground water basin. The area is noted
for artesian wells, which are the result of the intro-
duction of new water beyond the capabilities of the
ground water aquifer limitations. The U. S. G. 5., in
cooperation- with the Rio Grande Water Conservation
District, and the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation, are
working on solutions to this problem, in order that
the agricultural and domestic growth of the Valley
might be maintained while still permitting Colorado
to meet its Compact requirements with the States of
New Mexico and Texas. Scientific data are carefully
collected by scientists in the field, and made a part of
a 59 year study which the Computer answers in min-
utes. Otherwise, thousands of man hours of math-
ematicians and scientists would be required to perfect
solutions.

As has been demonstrated throughout this pub-
lication, the Electric-Analog-Model Science is well
proven. In recent years material prepared for the
Analog Computer has been made a part of a new
and extensive Digital Computer Program. The differ-
ence between the two is the fact the Analog shows
a picture of exactly what happens at a specific period
in time, but has no "memory bank" for solutions of
additional problems without extensive re-wiring of
the Analog. Analog data, and specific problems
can be fed into Digital Computers which do have
extensive memory banks, for answers to a myriad of
water management problems within minutes or hours.

The Directors of the Southeastern Colorado
Water Conservancy District, representing parts of nine
Counties in the Arkansas River Basin of Colorado,
have comprised a cooperating agency in on Analog-
Digital-Computer Program for nearly 10 years. As
sponsor of the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation IIFrying_
pan-Arkansas Project", the directors realized even be-
fore the Project was authorized by Congress in August
1962, that total effectiveness of this supplemental
supply of water could be perfected only if a scientific
program was worked out to determine the avail-
ability and use of native water. Extensive field data
are kept current by specialists from the U. S. Geologi-
cal Survey, and long-range water management pro-
grams are carefully studied by both the Analog and
Digital Computers to perfect solutions to various
water management programs within the Basin.
Having this capability at this time, it is possible to

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program total water supply and use through the year
of 2050. This material can then be used to assist the
agricultural sector in developing long.range crop pro-
grams, and municipalities, regardless of size, to pro-
ject future growth capabilities. Failure to have such a
scientific program available could bring about serious
water shortages involved in the IImining" of the
ground water table, and the disastrous results of
pumps not being deep enough or large enough to col-
lect water. This has been the experience in certain
areas of the United States, such as the High Plains of
Texas; Tucson Basin in Arizona; Houston, Texas;
Nebraska; and others.

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It also provides for the maximum use and re-use
of the water supply as it flows from the upper
reaches of the Arkansas River at elevations above
10,000 feet, to the Colorado-Kansas State Line, at an
elevation slightly in excess of 3,000 feet above sea
level.

SUMMARY

1. The analogy between flow of water and
electricity has been demonstrated conclu-
sively.
2. Application of the analogy to field prob-
lems is being used in several areas to
solve practical problems.

3. Use of computers leads to wiser planning,
management, and legislation.

4. Computer analyses lead to greater bene-
ficial use of water instead of arbitrary
regulation which can lead to curtailment
of use.

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Material used in this publication was lifted freely
from a number of scientific and technical papers, and
although it would be impassible to identify the
authors of each of these items, the Directors of the
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District are
indebted to such authorities as E. A. Moulder, District
Chief, U. S. Geological Survey in Denver; E. P. Patten,
Jr., Chief, Analog Model Unit, Research Center, U. S.
G. 5., Phoenix, Arizona; Dr. Robert M. Knight, Univer-
sity of Michigan law School; F. l. Sparks, Director,
Colorado Water Conservation Boardi Officers of the
Corps of Engineers, U. S. Army; and the U. S. Bureau
of Reclamation; along with many others.

Each of these men ore recognized as among the
most knowledgeable persons in the Water Research
field. Many scientific publications have been auth-
ored on the subject, and are available at the library

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