DENVER, CO – With more frequent, severe drought, many are looking for better ways to address water supply and storage as climate change alters life in Colorado and the West. The newly released Colorado Water Plan provides a framework for helping Colorado meet its water challenges through water conservation and collaborative action around water development. To help Coloradans understand the data and scenario planning that underpin the Water Plan, the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) partnered with data science company RS21 to develop the Colorado Water Plan interactive website. The data-driven platform illuminates the state’s water needs through 2050 and promotes an in-depth understanding of the complexities involved in regional water challenges.
The Colorado Water Plan Interactive Tool models data from five plausible future water scenarios based on factors such as climate conditions, social values, economics, water supplies and demands for water across sectors.
"The state of Colorado faces increasing and multifaceted water challenges, and we are excited to release this interactive tool to elevate the state-of-the-art data and analysis that lays the foundation for the 2023 Water Plan." said Russ Sands, Water Supply Planning Section Chief for CWCB. "The interactive tool will help Coloradans understand the risks we face and the opportunities to collaborate to find solutions for a more secure water future."
The interactive tool shows how scenario planning, using the best available science, can provide insights for what future conditions might look like. Decision makers and water users can use the information to understand which drivers might contribute to more favorable versus harmful outcomes and better understand the inherent complexities.
“We're proud to partner with the Colorado Water Conservation Board to help increase access and visibility to the Colorado Water Plan” said Trisha Miller, RS21 Director of Research and Development. “The website aims to highlight the dynamics of water supply and demand with the hope that more people across the state can more easily access and understand the data that supports the Water Plan.”
The CWCB unveiled the tool at the Colorado Water Plan Launch & Celebration in late January. The interactive website is available to the public in both English and Spanish at https://waterplandata.state.co.us.
About Colorado Water Conservation Board
The Colorado Water Conservation Board mission is to conserve, develop and manage Colorado’s water for present and future generations. The CWCB represents each major water basin in the state and other state agencies in a joint effort to use water wisely and protect Colorado's water for future generations. The CWCB was created 85 years ago in 1937 and today it remains Colorado's most comprehensive water information resource. The agency works on a broad range of programs and provides technical and financial assistance to support the Colorado Water Plan. Governed by a 15-member Board, CWCB's responsibilities include protecting Colorado's streams and lakes, flood mitigation, watershed protection, stream restoration, drought planning, water supply planning, and water project financing.
About RS21
RS21 is a rapidly growing data science company that uses artificial intelligence, design, data engineering, and modern software development methods to empower organizations to make data-driven decisions that positively impact the world. Our innovative solutions are insightful, intuitive, inspiring, and intellectually honest. With offices in Albuquerque, NM and Washington, DC, RS21 is an Inc. 5000 fastest-growing company three years in a row and a Fast Company Best Workplace for Innovators.
We help clients achieve programmatic goals, improve efficiencies, reduce costs, and maximize productivity using MOTHR, our human-centered, artificial intelligence engine that allows users to seamlessly integrate data and reveal insights at hyper speed. We navigate complex data issues in the fields of healthcare, defense, safety, urban planning, energy, cyber, land use, climate, disaster preparedness, disaster recovery, space, and social equity. For more information, visit http://www.rs21.io.
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