When planning for future water supplies or analyzing efficient ways to use existing water sources, many constraining parameters need to be considered simultaneously. These parameters include hydrology (streamflows, precipitation); physical facilities (diversion structures, canals, reservoirs); plus legal and administrative constraints (water rights, river compacts, reservoir operations). In many cases, these constraints can be simplified and analyzed using a spreadsheet type approach. For many of our clients, the surface water systems or water rights that affect their planning efforts are too complicated to be easily represented with this approach.  In these cases, we recommend an analysis using a surface water rights allocation model.

LRE has adopted the State of Colorado's StateMod model as our water rights allocation model of choice, both because of our vast experience makes it a cost-effective option and because the model has been widely used to analyze water projects throughout the Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Nebraska.  StateMod accurately represents administration in western States.

Surface water rights allocation models offer several advantages to our clients. Once the surface water system base input files are developed, the model can be exercised to quickly and cost-effectively look at alternative water supply options. This as an important benefit because the model is not developed around known options, but is easily adaptable to alternatives yet to be considered. Models can provide information at every modeled location including simulated physical streamflow, water available to a new water rights, water diverted under a direct water right, water released from a reservoir, and specific demand shortages.

LRE modelers often work with our clients during the input file development and initial model simulations. This "on-the-job" training reduces their dependency on LRE for on-going planning efforts.  LRE expert modelers are frequently asked to review models developed by other consultants, State, and Federal Agencies in StateMod and other software platforms including RiverWare and MODSIM.