HomeMy WebLinkAbout981484.tiff V,'ELD Cr; STATE OF COLORADO
OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER co
Division Division of Water Resources ^p hm" - - '�� �b�
Department of Natural Resources ''
1313 Sherman Street,Room 818 '* ,•
Denver,Colorado 80203 �i---'- '-Noe-
Phone(303)866-3581 TO '
FAX(303)866-3589 Roy Romer
Governor
lames S.Lochhead
Executive Director
Hal D.Simpson
State Engineer
July 20, 1998
Dear Water User:
I am pleased to provide you with a copy of the 1997 Annual Report of the
Colorado Division of Water Resources. The Annual Report is an effort on my part
to inform the Legislature and citizens of Colorado on the mission and activities of
this office. This report also focuses on some of the accomplishments in the areas
of water administration, information technology, and public safety.
I strongly believe that we must do more to inform our citizens of the
importance of water resources to their daily activities. I would appreciate it if you
could take the time from your busy schedule to review these documents. If you
should have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Sincerely,
Hal D. Simpson
State Engineer
Enclosure
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A Leader in the West in Water Resources Management Annual Report for the Year 1997
ver the past year, the Division of Water O Resources has been engaged in an intense
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program to redevelop a mission for the
organization that captures the spirit of our dedicated e also recognize that the
employees as they provide service to the public and resource we administer and
the state. The program involved a series of ten protect is the reason we exist.
meetings throughout the state with the employees as To this end the administration, safety
they described to each other and the management of and use of Colorado's water resources
the organization the things they value most about is something the Division is deeply
their jobs, the public they serve, the resource and committed to. The Division will serve
each other. As a result of this process, the Division the public through the generation of
was able to develop a new mission, created by the creative solutions in the water resource
employees themselves, which refocuses the arena and help our customers
organization in a new direction, one which the understand complex water issues. And
agency believes will serve our employees and its through the use of technology, we
customers well as we move toward the 21"century. believe we can provide the latest means
to properly administer and collect
This document, known as our Vision for Success, timely information to effectively
sets forth what the agency is about and where we manage the resource.
would like to go over the next five years. In the d !t
coming months, the organization will begin to set !`lEw//�Q�II//P
specific goals for accomplishing this mission and 1�
the State Engineer will be actively visiting with
water users and the public, seeking input on our tewardship of the resources at our
long-range strategies. \ disposal is an obligation that this
�J agency
PEDDLE takes extreme
pride in. As an of Cotok_
organization, we e O
eople are the cornerstone of the agency. From p
our employees to the customers we serve, the
understand and
accept our e
organization recognizes and places a large obligation to they
emphasis on serving people in an efficient and taxpayers and fed- 5°
effective manner. ourselves in oFtvATts'
using and
We believe we have a highly dedicated staff of protecting all resources, including
employees who truly care about the people they natural, human and capital, to the best
serve. And in serving those customers, the agency of our ability.
is committed to ensuring that we have the resources
and methods available for them to meet
the needs of the water user community in Colorado
and the Western United States.
imrommerob rtavot '
77/C INf1 t 4s, P0NA61 The Division now has computers in
the possession of all senior water
0414 /lvfVt/1v9TI4N commissioners. Coupling this with
the implementation of Hydrobase, a
• The Division's Record Section in Denver was fully integrated database with real
nominated for the State of Colorado's Outstanding time data entry/management
Customer Service Award in recognition of the capabilities will change the face of
excellent service they provide to the water users of water administration in the future.
the state.
Complete integration of
communication capabilities
• In an effort to improve convenience for our
statewide via E-mail, intemet,
customers, the Division began accepting credit
Intranet, and wide area network.
cards for payment or services and products
rendered. Provided Geographical Information
• New data verification standards were implemented. Systems (GIS) to field offices,
completed base layers for numerous
maps, provided litigation support
• Imaging of well permitting and sensitive
and coordinated and shared data
documents was initiated.
with numerous entities in the state
• Increases in the number of gaging stations with and region.
near real time satellite measurement occurred.
MOM 1((oMOA(15
• A Geographical Positioning System (GPS)
program was implemented for providing precise Successful compliance with the
locations of structures in field. Arkansas River Compact under the
Arkansas Rules and Regulations.
• A power conversion coefficient (PCC) program is
now fully operational in the Arkansas River basin. Ongoing engineering support for
This program calculates ground water well use via Colorado in Kansas v. Colorado
power records, saving time and money for the state before the United States Supreme
and water users. Court.
• A gaging station refurbishment program was Continuing efforts on the South
implemented in conjunction with the Colorado Platte, Republican, and Colorado
Water Conservation Board. Rivers, including the Rio Grande.
• The monitoring of over 1,000 wells and 450 Ongoing administration of five
gaging sites statewide keeps information up to interstate compacts and two federal
date. decrees to protect the entitlements of
Colorado water users.
F slope of Colorado. Deliverables
IN Willa, include real time streamflow
presentation, database viewing, and
water information sheets to assist in
even field offices monitor and administer the river administration.
waters of the state and assist in ensuring safe
dams and wells for our residents. Over 120 • In cooperation with the Colorado
water commissioners work in the field along with Water Conservation Board, the
dam safety engineers, hydrographers and water Colorado River Decision Support
resource engineers and support staff. System (CRDSS) was enhanced to
Accomplishments of particular distinction include: include water resource planning
models for 100% of the basin's
• Timely, accurate data collection and consumptive use. This assists in
administration of 152,763 water rights
evaluating water for endangered
statewide. species issues on the Colorado, San
Juan and Yampa River Basins.
• Delivery of over 18,000,000 acre-feet of water to irrigation, storage, municipal and • Successfully negotiated a long
other uses throughout the state in water year standing dispute in the Horse Creek
1996 (October 1, 1996 to September 30, Basin (Division 2) through
1997). mediation, developing a win/win
solution for all parties involved.
• Review and inspection of 376 Class 1, 2 & 3
dams.
WONP /tiff POBIi(I�f�TY
Through our dam safety program we
The Division handles many special technical are facilitating an extreme
projects. A professionally skilled geotechnical, precipitation study that may reduce
hydrographic, dam safety and engineering staff costs to dam owners while ensuring
assist the legislature and the state in analyzing the safety of the public.
problems, developing innovative solutions and
planning for the future. Some highlights include: Enforcement of statutes and rules
regarding the proper construction of
• Facilitation of the Senate Bill 74 study, which wells and installation of pumps
examines complex water issues, and conjunctive through the Colorado Board of Well
use with the Denver Basin aquifers. Construction and Pump Installation
Contractors. These actions ensure
• Beginning implementation of the Well safe drinking water for the public.
Evaluation Tool (WET), which aggressively uses
technology for evaluation and issuance of well Instant access to streamflow
permits. conditions via the World Wide Web,
enhancing local monitoring, planning
• The Colorado Water Rights Administration Tool, and emergency preparation.
which enhances and extends the South Platte
Water Rights Management System to the western
9 8I L/8q
rave-11444 The v of Weoe anticipat of saf , engiwateriDi commissioners,
Res will urc be retiring in thees nextthatmany few years.its Insenior antictipationffrom of these neers even tots,
the Division is implementing a career development program for existing staff that will
prepare them to move into these important positions. This program focuses on education,
training, mentoring and leadership development. We will also actively recruit highly qualified
persons to fill positions where existing staff are not available for promotion from within.
On a broader scale, over the following months the Division of Water Resources will be putting
together goals, objectives and tactics to set forth a new strategic plan for the future, one that
meets the needs of the water users and our employees. Once draft goals are set, the State
Engineer will be meeting with various water user groups and our employees throughout the state
to seek their input on the future direction of the organization. After the input has been received
and reviewed, finalized goal for the agency will be put in place. Our employees will then
develop the tactics for achieving those goals.
We invite your input on this process. If you would like to be kept informed or provide feedback
to the agency, please do not hesitate to contact us at: The Colorado Division of Water Resources,
1313 Sherman Street, Room 818, Denver, CO 80203. We can be reached by phone at: (303)
866-3581 or fax (303) 866-3589. We look forward to managing the water resources of the state
with you in the future.
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This report is available on-line via the World Wide Web at:
http://www.dnr.state.co.usiwater/AnnIrpt.htm
Our 1997 Cumulative Yearly Statistics is also available on-line at:
http://www.dnr.state.co_us/water/I stdata.htm
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