University Collaboration on Colorado’s Decision Support Systems

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The Customer

Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) [2013]

The Challenge

The CWCB has provided funding for many years to develop Colorado’s Decision Support Systems (CDSS), which consist of data and software tools to model river basins and help make decisions about Colorado’s water resources. Colorado’s water systems are complex, often involving water rights and physical infrastructure that has evolved over 150 years. Although there are many who work in water resource careers, there are only a few who understand how to use CDSS tools. At the same time, there is a need to have more innovation in water resources in order to address the serious challenges facing Colorado water suppliers. The CWCB needs a way to develop the next generation of CDSS users and encourage innovative solutions to water resource issues.

The Solution

Partner with the Colorado Water Institute (CWI) and universities to provide CDSS training and encourage research innovation to be included in CDSS.

The Impact

This project will help universities leverage the benefits of CDSS in education and research, increase the number of graduates familiar with CDSS data and tools, and increase opportunities for collaboration.

(source: USDA)

The Implementation

The Open Water Foundation is partnering with the CWI at Colorado State University to facilitate greater integration of CDSS with Colorado universities by performing the following activities:

  • Identify points of contact at universities to collaborate on CDSS education and research
  • Conduct CDSS training workshops
  • Assist university researchers and educators in the installation and use of CDSS datasets and software tools
  • Evaluate processes to incorporate university research into CDSS
  • In general, establishing a better pipeline of innovation between CDSS and universities

This project is ongoing. It is envisioned that the project will result in a larger number of engineers and scientists that are capable with CDSS software and that utilizing CDSS will increase the efficiency of research and education in water resources.