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CRDSS <br />TASK MEMORANDUM 1.15-5 <br />Water Rights Planning Model <br />Evaluation of Program MODSIM <br />1.0 ISSUE <br />The purpose of this memorandum is to generally describe the computer program MODSIM and to <br />address its suitability for incorporation into the CRDSS. The evaluation of the model's functionality <br />with respect to the intended goals and objectives of the CRDSS was made based on a review of the <br />model structure and utilization of the Level One and Level Two decision criteria described in Task <br />Memorandum 1.15-2. <br />2.0 DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS <br />Background Information <br />Program MODSIM is a river basin network simulation model developed by Dr. John Labadie at <br />Colorado State University based on an earlier model, SIMYLD II, developed for the Texas Water <br />Development Board. From its initial development in the late 1970s, the model has continually been <br />upgraded and enhanced with respect to project features and capabilities. MODSIM was developed to <br />enable the simulation of large-scale, complex water resource systems, including considerations for <br />water rights priorities, reservoir operations, and important institutional and legal factors that affect <br />river basin planning functions. The current version is available in both PC (DOS) and workstation <br />(UNIX) environments. For purposes of this CRDSS review, the evaluation was based on the <br />functionality of the workstation version of the model which, if the model is selected, would be <br />available for use in the CRDSS workstation environment. It is further noted that the model <br />documentation used for this review was written for the PC version. Although the two versions are <br />kept reasonably current with each other, the workstation version presently has a number of additional <br />enhancements that have not yet been added to the PC version. <br />MODSIM is generally considered to be in the public domain, and executable versions of the model <br />are available for use by private, state, and quasi-municipal water users. In the past, the source code <br />for the model has not been available. Since accessibility to the source code is of major importance to <br />the CRDSS, the State and Colorado State University are negotiating an agreement in which the <br />source code would be made available to the State. The State would be allowed to change or modify <br />the source code as necessary for State-related projects, including the CRDSS. If modifications are <br />made to the source code by the State, it would be clearly stated that such modifications were made <br />by the State and that the original developer (Labadie) assumes no responsibility for erroneous model <br />results that potentially could occur as a result of those changes. The Agreement also contains terms <br />and conditions related to the use of the source code by a third party if obtained through the State. <br />Such third-party use would be allowed only subject to a specific agreement with the State. Changes <br />to the source code would not be allowed; there would be no attempts by the third party to <br />commercialize the use of the model for profit; and there would be some form of definition of the <br />third party's intended use of the source code, including a time limit. Executable versions of the <br />model can be freely distributed and used by parties outside of the State. <br />1 <br />A275 05.10.94 1.15-5 Fosha, Hyre <br />