BOARD00807

• Board Meeting Date: 9/13/2005
• Description: ISF Section - Funding Limitations on USGS Streamgaging Programs in Colorado
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

e

e

e

STATE OF COLORADO

Colorado Water Conservation Board
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman S_, Room 721
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
www.cwcb.state.co.us

MEMORANDUM

Bill Owens
Governor

RussellG<orge
Executive Director

TO:

Colorado Water Conservation Board Members

Rod Kuharich
CWCBDirector

FROM:

Jeff Baessler

Rick Brown
Acting Deputy Director

DATE:

September 12, 2005

SUBJECT: Agenda Item 17, September 13-14, 2005 Board Meeting
Funding limitations on USGS Streamgaging Programs in Colorado

Background

In Colorado, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) currently operates
approximately 251 stream flow gages as part of its Cooperative Water Program (CWP).
This program utilizes cost-sharing partnerships between the USGS and water-resource
agencies at state and local levels as well as other entities. An additional 34 gages are
operated under the National Stream flow Information Program (NSIP). This program
provides full federal funding for the continued operation and maintenance of critical
gages, such as those used for compact administration.

In recent years, the USGS has received reduced or near level federal funding for both
stream gaging programs in Colorado and nationwide. At the same time, mandatory
federal salary increases and other inflationary costs have steadily increased, resulting in
a net funding loss. This has translated directly into the loss of valuable gages as well as
increased costs to cost-share cooperators.

In Colorado, this reduction in funding has created a real potential for the loss of up to 20
gages during fiscal year 2006. The period of record for each of these individual gages
varies, but the average period of record for all of these gages is approximately 18 years.
This represents a significant loss in data that could be used for modeling within the
state's DSS systems. In addition, staff has estimated that 40% of these gages can
currently be accessed to help with monitoring and administration of the Board's ISF
rights. A continued reduction in federal funding combined with budgetary constraints on
state and local funding partners will result in a continual decline in the number of active
CWP gages in Colorado.

Flood Protection. Water Supply Planning And Finane:< . Stream And Lake Protection
Water Supply Protection. Conservation and Drought Planning