Decision Support Systems provide an integrated tool to plan for future water needs and to address real-time water supply issues. A Decision Support System is an information-driven system that manages data and provides tools to access and analyze these data to make informed decisions.

Many of our clients have projects that require analysis using an extensive amount of raw data.  Raw data can include climate data, hydrology data, diversion records, pumping data, water rights, and acreage data.  Analysis tools generally include consumptive use, surface water rights allocation, and ground water models.  When LRE clients require analyses of a large amount of data, we recommend and build Decision Support Systems to allow information to flow from a database management system to model input files, then to an output management system for reviewing, interpreting, and presenting results.

LRE has worked closely with several entities to develop both statewide and client-specific Decision Support Systems.  LRE has taken an active role in helping the Colorado Water Conservation Board and the Colorado State Engineer's Office development of the State of Colorado’s Decision Support System (CDSS). In fact, we routinely provide training sessions to state personnel, water providers, and other water resource consultants. We have answered planning questions for clients using the CDSS database, GIS, and modeling tools in every river basin in Colorado.

We have also developed Decision Support Systems to manage and analyze information for specific clients, including the North Platte Natural Resources District, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, and Central Colorado Water Conservancy District. We assisted the State of Wyoming in determining the feasibility of a state-wide Decision Support System and investigated and recommended database platforms and analysis tools.

Specific water resource issues differ for each of LRE’s clients; however, there is a consistent need to store and manage information, analyze the data considering varying planning and administrative needs, and present the information to decision makers.