Current Research - Scientific Assessments

Front Range water needs to 2040. Colorado’s Front Range is one of the most rapidly growing areas in the West. This on-going model-based study (“SPRAT – South Platt Regional Assessment Tool”) will investigate the region’s ability to meet new water needs through proposed projects, conservation, and groundwater. How a varying climate might affect these future needs and projects will also be studied. Researchers Goemans, Kenney.
Front Range large water providers’ vulnerabilities and climate products needs. This on-going task seeks to identify water user needs for climate products (information and forecasts) in order to better match these needs to WWA and NOAA research, and to develop a dialogue between the water policy community and the research community. Researchers Ray and Lowrey.
Current and Future Water Demand at a Major Front Range City. This task investigates the many forces that impact water demand for a major Denver suburb, Aurora Areas of study include how recent drought, climate variables, demographics, pricing, irrigation technology, in-home water meters and other variables affect water demand. A literature review on water demand is also included. Researchers Kenney, Klein, Goemans, Lowrey, Reidy (Aurora Water).
Colorado Meteorological Station Data long-term trends. In conjunction with the Colorado State Climatologist’s office, this study evaluates to what stations are suitable in Colorado for long-term precipitation and temperature trends. Researchers Wolter, Doesken (State Climatologist).
IPCC AR4 Model Suitability for Colorado. This study investigates the value and applicability of recent AR4 model run data for use by Denver Water and others water providers. Researchers Hoerling, Eischeid.
Streamflow Variability. In conjunction with an ongoing National Science Foundation (NSF) effort, this project explores apparent tendencies for Western rivers to illustrate increasing variability and synchroneity in streamflows. Researcher Jain.
Colorado River Flow Yield Study. This study synthesizes information from paleo streamflow reconstructions, future streamflow projections from models, native streamflow reconstructions and other sources to generate an accurate flow yield estimate for the Colorado River. Researchers Kenney, Pulwarty, Udall, Woodhouse.
Colorado River Drought Analysis. This on-going project involves updated analysis from the 1995 Severe and Sustained Drought Study with special emphasis given to lessons learned from the 1999 – 2004 drought. Researchers Kenney, Ray, Pulwarty.
Colorado River Climate Change Analysis. This project involves utilizing the USBR CRSS Model to investigate vulnerability of basin to changes in inflows based on IPCC AR4 model runs. Researchers Rajagopalan, Zagona (CADSWES at CU).
Estimating the impacts of complex climatic events: The economic costs of drought in Colorado, Nebraska and New Mexico. This study evaluates economic costs of drought in Colorado, Nebraska and New Mexico. In addition to developing impact assessment methodologies, this study will develop guidelines for impacts reporting at the state and local levels. This effort supplements a SARP funded proposal and will be a joint effort with the National Drought Mitigation Center. Researchers Pulwarty, Howe, Goemans.