Colorado – Consolidated Database Design and Real–Time Water Resources Data Management

Overall data management and timely water resources data interpretation are important objectives for the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (NCWCD). Riverside Technology, inc. (RTi) was contracted to provide a district-wide database design based on needs expressed by district personnel.

Pinewood Reservoir, part of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project

Interviews were conducted by RTi database design staff, and structured around the organization's business functions as determined by NCWCD management. Information collected during the needs analysis was then used to produce the district-wide database design. A number of additional factors were considered, including data normalization, ease of data access, performance, ease of system and data maintenance, and the pre-existing systems. In several cases, the existing systems were determined to be adequate and important, so these were documented to the extent possible and incorporated into the consolidated design. The database design was developed using the ERwin design tool to develop the database model. Deliverables included an entity relationship diagram, database dictionary, and database schema.

RTi also worked with the District to implement real-time data processing with the RiverTrak® Watcher product. The RiverTrak® system is a proprietary Windows-based PC tool developed by RTi that runs continuously in conjunction with external real-time hydrologic data collection systems. It allows the District data to be collected and analyzed, perform data processing tasks (e.g., convert stage to discharge, create hourly or daily average data values, etc.), and produce products to display on the District's website. The project has enabled the NCWCD District to use additional tools more effectively to monitor and manage its vital water resources.

2290 East Prospect Road, Suite 1, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525
phone: (970) 484–7573  fax: (970) 484–7593 www.riverside.com