Migration from tabular to spatial data analysis techniques for water management in Idaho David R. Tuthill Jr, Christian R. Petrich, Michael H. Ciscell, Bruce A. Kissinger and James R. Oakleaf David R. Tuthill Jr (corresponding author) Michael H. Ciscell Idaho Department of Water Resources, 1301 N. Orchard, Boise, ID 83706, USA Tel: (+1) 208 327 7929; Fax: (+1) 208 327 5400; E-mail: dtuthill@idwr.state.id.us Christian R. Petrich Idaho Water Resources Research Institute, University of Idaho–Boise Center, 800 Park Blvd, Boise, ID 83712, USA Bruce A. Kissinger Enabling Technologies, Inc., 4386 Cochees Way, Boise, ID 83709, USA James R. Oakleaf US Bureau of Reclamation, 1359 Hansen Avenue, Burley, ID 83318, USA ABSTRACT The State of Idaho has insufficient water supplies in many basins. Competition for water has spawned a complex system of administering water rights. Administration of water rights has historically been accomplished using paper records. During the 1970s a tabular, proprietary database was developed in conjunction with various mapping techniques. Emerging capabilities of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are now facilitating administrators in the use of spatial data throughout their decision-making processes. This paper portrays various arenas where GIS is being used to enhance spatial capabilities related to water resources in the state, leading to improved and conjunctive management of surface and ground water. Key words | conjunctive management, GIS, spatial analysis, water distribution INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND Water is the lifeblood of the Western United States. As pioneers journeyed on the Oregon Trail toward the West Coast in covered wagons during the period from the 1840s until the 1860s, few stopped to homestead in the arid sagebrush territory that was to become Idaho. The lure of gold finally brought attention to the Idaho area during the 1860s. Enterprising settlers began divert- ing water for irrigation, to provide food for fortune- seekers. During the past 140 years more than 3 million acres have been brought into agricultural production via irrigation projects throughout the state. While the Snake River seemed inexhaustible to early pioneers, this river and many others quickly became fully appropriated. Some form of regulation was required. Scores of water right decrees were granted by courts throughout the state near the turn of the century, and in 1903 a state agency was formed to provide for distribution of water based on the appropriation doctrine of water rights, where first in time is first in right. This agency, now called the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR), is responsible for managing and administering the distribution of water. Techniques for portraying water information have evolved during the last nine decades. Initial paper records were utilized to populate digital database tables, which are currently being dynamically tied to the physical location being referenced in the data. This paper discusses the recent emergence of these spatial techniques and tools being utilized in Idaho water management, and the major improvement in accuracy and efficiency resulting from these applications. 183 © IWA Publishing 2000 Journal of Hydroinformatics | 02.3 | 2000 Downloaded from https://iwaponline.com/jh/article-pdf/2/3/183/392085/183.pdf by guest on 05 July 2020