Abstract

StoneFly Technology (StoneFly), the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), Utah State University (USU), and several Utah water user groups are working to create "virtual" river basins on the Internet. Websites with accurate real-time representations of the Sevier, San Rafael, and Duchense river basins are being developed. These river basin Websites, coupled with low-cost automatic remote-control on all major structures, allow for nearly instantaneous decision making. The ability to see what is happening throughout a river basin and to react promptly to changing hydrologic and weather conditions is dramatically improving the way rivers and irrigation canals are operated. Additionally, these Websites are important elements in building trust and encouraging collaboration among the various stakeholders. They also contain important elements for making any technological innovations sustainable.