Real Time Data Resources: River Calls, River Flows, Reservoir Levels, Weather Data and Well Permit Information
Water resources engineering is a very data intensive field. Our models, analysis and predictions are only as good as the information we can get our hands on. For water users, the amount of information they need can be highly variable, from information about the call on the river, to historic river flows, and more. To help water users find reliable and trustworthy sources of data, we have compiled this quick list of water resources data goldmines. These are data provided directly from the sources, and most of these data sources are updated in real-time, providing users with accurate, timely, free information to meet a wide range of needs. If you are looking for call information, river flows, weather data, or water rights information, check out these sources below.
River Call Data
In the Colorado Prior Appropriation system, the call on the river determines if a water user has the ability to take water or not on a given day. And since the call can change on a daily basis, it is vital for water users to have access to real-time river call data from a reliable source. The State of Colorado provides that service at no cost to anyone with an internet connection. Simply follow the link below and, on the left hand side of the page, you can narrow the call to the water division or water district you want to know about. Historic call data are also available, just use the additional link we have provided.
River Flows and Reservoir Levels
Real-time river flow data are an invaluable tool to many different people. Farmers, anglers, boaters, water users, and more rely on accurate and reliable river flow data. Since, unlike river calls, no one organization is solely responsible for monitoring river flows and reservoir levels, you may need to click through a few of the options below before you find the one with the specific information you want. Once you find the station you want, historic data can also be found for that station. See the links below for more information.
CDWR Statewide Flows Interactive Map: The Colorado Division of Water Resources (CDWR) maintains the largest network of real-time river and reservoir data in the state, so I would recommend checking here first.
USGS Statewide Flows Interactive Map: Next, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) maintains less sites, but if you can’t find the data you are looking for through the CDWR, the USGS is your next best bet.
South Platte River Flows: Finally, if you know you just want information on the Lower South Platte River from Chatfield Reservoir to the state line with Nebraska, the Lower South Platte Water Conservancy District maintains a great real-time river flow and ditch diversion table on its website.
River gauging station on the Cucharas River in Colorado
Uncompahgre River, Colorado
Weather Data
Finding a weather forecast is something everyone knows how to do. In fact, weather forecasts are nearly unavoidable in day-to-day life. Finding historic climate data, however, is significantly more challenging. The largest, and most reliable, weather data set in Colorado is the Colorado Decision Support Systems, more commonly known as the CDSS. Follow the link below and you should be able to find weather data for your area in either daily or monthly values.
Colorado Decision Support System
Well Permit Information
Well permits are another easy one to look up, just as long as you know the well permit number. If you have the permit number, simply go to the link below, under the ‘More Options’ tab, select ‘Permit Number’, and you should be able to easily find the information you are looking for.
Permit Number Well Permit Database
If you don’t know the permit number, you can still find the information you’re looking for, it’s just a little more difficult. Your solution is to go to the interactive map link below, zoom into the area of the well, and toggle on the ‘Well Application’ function on the left-hand side. Know that you can use any information about the well, for example the depth of the well or the year it was installed, to find the right well. From there, just click on the well in the map feature, click ’View Additional Details’ and you should be able to find all the information you need.
