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<br />. . <br />C: COM SAT GENERAL CORPORATION <br /> <br />? <br />) <br /> <br />August 2, 1982 <br /> <br />-.J <br />~ TO: THE COLORADO WATER RESOURCES COMMUNITY <br />Q <br /> <br />The attached report summarizes the performance and results of the <br />COMSAT General satellite-linked, automated water monitoring network from July 27 <br />through July 30, 1982--a period of unusually heavy rainfall along the southern <br />Front Range and Arkansas River Basin. <br /> <br />The COMSAT General water monitoring network was initiated in October, <br />1981 in cooperation with the State Eogineer and the U.S. Geological Survey. <br />It has been providing operational services, at no cost, to State, Federal and <br />regional organizations during the Spring and Summer of 1982. One of the unique <br />features of our satellite-linked network is its ability to comprehensively monitor <br />high flows or flood conditions at the remote stations,' mainstem locations, dams <br />and canals along the approximately 300 miles of the Arkansas Basin in Colorado. <br />The network performed at 99.998 per cent reliability during the entire period <br />of potential flooding, while continuing to provide needed routine water infor~ <br />mation services for water administration, field operations and record keeping. <br /> <br />On July 14, 1982 COMSATGeneral presented a service and funding pro- <br />posal to the Interim Committee for Agriculture and Natural Resources of the <br />Colorado General Assembly. The essence of our proposal is that our network and <br />services have conclusively proven their value to State water managers and users <br />over the past ten months. Conservative benefits to the State for 1983 total <br />at least $1.5 million. We asked State government and the General Assembly to <br />provide bridge funding for this year of $100,000 and to favorably consider a <br />$500,000 appropriation for 1983. <br /> <br />COMSAT General and Environmental Research and Technology of Denver <br />and Ft. Collins--a sister COMSAT company--have spent over $1.0 million to de- <br />velop the network, in addition to our original capital investment. We simply <br />cannot afford to continue the program without revenues from users and bene- <br />ficiaries. By October 1 of this year the Corporation must decide whether or <br />not to continue the Colorado program. We believe that the record of system <br />performance and use from July 27-30 gives additional justification for the State <br />and other users to fund continuation of the COMSAT General network. If funding <br />can be found, we plan to expand our current index stations on the Colorado and <br />Rio Grande and to install new stations on the eastern Platte River in 1983. <br /> <br />We solicit your individual and collective support to continue the <br />program in Colorado. Our local contact in Deover is Pat Bartosh (779-6940), <br />Bill Beanland in Pueblo (c/o 543-6530) and in Washington, D. C., Tim Alexander <br />(202-863-7243) . <br /> <br />COMSAT GENERAL CORPORATION. 950 L'ENFANT PLAiA ~W, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20024 . PHONE 202.863-6010 . TELEX 89-2668 <br />