U.S. patent application number 14/884634 was filed with the patent office on 2016-02-04 for water rights analysis system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Pinnacle Software, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Pinnacle Software, LLC. Invention is credited to Collin J. Green, Jesse R. Lassley.
Application Number | 20160034912 14/884634 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48983113 |
Filed Date | 2016-02-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160034912 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lassley; Jesse R. ; et
al. |
February 4, 2016 |
WATER RIGHTS ANALYSIS SYSTEM
Abstract
Exemplary water rights analysis systems and methods are
disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes obtaining water
rights data from a water rights agency database, maintaining a
database of water rights data, receiving from a user a search query
for water rights data, and presenting the search results on the
user device. The exemplary method may additionally or alternatively
include displaying on the user device one or more graphical
elements on a geo-reference base layer representing one or more
water rights data elements, such as a point of diversion change.
Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Lassley; Jesse R.;
(Cottonwood Heights, UT) ; Green; Collin J.;
(Herriman, UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Pinnacle Software, LLC |
Salt Lake City |
UT |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Pinnacle Software, LLC
|
Family ID: |
48983113 |
Appl. No.: |
14/884634 |
Filed: |
October 15, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13772996 |
Feb 21, 2013 |
9195719 |
|
|
14884634 |
|
|
|
|
61601503 |
Feb 21, 2012 |
|
|
|
61663380 |
Jun 22, 2012 |
|
|
|
61699791 |
Sep 11, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/317 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 16/29 20190101;
G06Q 10/101 20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101; G06Q 50/06 20130101;
G06Q 50/26 20130101; G06Q 30/018 20130101; G06F 16/248
20190101 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/00 20060101
G06Q030/00; G06Q 50/06 20060101 G06Q050/06; G06Q 50/26 20060101
G06Q050/26; G06F 17/30 20060101 G06F017/30 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: obtaining, by a water rights analysis
system, water rights data from a water rights agency database;
maintaining, by the water rights analysis system, a water rights
database comprising the water rights data; receiving, by a water
rights analysis system from a user device, a search query for
defining a geographic search area; searching, by the water rights
analysis system, the water rights database to identify relevant
water rights data, the relevant water rights data comprising water
rights data for water rights having one or more geo-referenced
water rights data elements located within the geographic search
area; and presenting, by the water rights analysis system, the
relevant water rights data for display on the user device.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: searching, by the
water rights analysis system in response to the receiving, the
water rights database to identify at least one match to the search
query; determining, by the water rights analysis system, a
geographic starting point location based on the at least one match
to the search query; and defining, by the water rights analysis
system, the geographic search area based on the geographic starting
point location.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the search query comprises a
water rights data search query or a direct geographic search
query.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the water rights data search
query comprises an owner name or a water right reference
number.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein the direct geographic search
query comprises a user placement of a marker on a geo-reference
base layer, an address, a parcel number, or a section, township and
range entry.
6. The method of claim 2, wherein the searching the water rights
database to identify the relevant water rights data comprises
searching the water rights data associated with a hydrologic basin
in which the geographic starting point location is located.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the presenting comprises
displaying, on a geo-reference base layer, one or more graphical
elements representing one or more geo-referenced water rights data
elements of one or more relevant water rights represented by the
relevant water rights data.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the one or more graphical
elements comprises at least one of a placemark representing a point
of diversion, a polygon representing a place of use, a change line
representing a change in a point of diversion, a change line
representing a change in a place of use, and an exchange line
representing a water right exchange.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the change line includes one or
more end shape identifiers.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein: a starting endpoint of the
change line is located at one of a heretofore point of diversion of
a relevant water right included in the one or more relevant water
rights, an average of the heretofore points of diversion of the
relevant water right having multiple heretofore points of
diversion, and an intelligent average of the heretofore points of
diversion of the relevant water right having multiple heretofore
points of diversion; and a terminal endpoint of the change line is
located at one of a hereafter point of diversion of the relevant
water right, an average of the hereafter points of diversion of the
relevant water right having multiple hereafter points of diversion,
and an intelligent average of the hereafter points of diversion of
the relevant water right having multiple hereafter points of
diversion.
11. The method of claim 7, wherein the one or more graphical
elements are configured to be selectively removed from the
geo-reference base layer by a user of the user device.
12. The method of claim 7, wherein the one or more graphical
elements are configured to selectively display additional water
rights data associated with the relevant water rights.
13. The method of claim 7, wherein the geo-reference base layer
comprises a map, a satellite image, or an aerial image.
14. The method of claim 7, wherein the presenting further comprises
displaying a results table including the water rights data
associated with the relevant water rights, wherein the results
table is customizable by a user of the user device.
15. The method of claim 1, further comprising: translating, by the
water rights analysis system, the water rights data obtained from
the water rights agency database.
16. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing, by the
water rights analysis system, one or more filters for selective
application by a user, the one or more filters including filter
criteria corresponding to water rights data.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: receiving, by the
water rights analysis system from the user device, a selective
application of at least one of the one or more filters, wherein the
relevant water rights data represents the water rights that satisfy
the at least one of the one or more filters.
18. The method of claim 1, embodied as computer-executable
instructions on at least one non-transitory computer-readable
medium.
19. A method comprising: receiving, by a user device from a user,
user input comprising a search query for defining a geographic
search area; transmitting, by the user device, the search query to
a water rights analysis system; and receiving, by the user device
from the water rights analysis system, data representative of a
geo-reference base layer and a geographic search area and one or
more graphical elements representing one or more geo-referenced
water rights data elements of one or more relevant water rights;
and displaying, by the user device, the geo-reference base layer
with the geographic search area and the one or more graphical
elements, wherein the one or more relevant water rights have at
least one geo-referenced water rights data element located within
the geographic search area.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the one or more graphical
elements comprises one or more change lines representing a change
in a point of diversion or a change in a place of use of at least
one of the relevant water rights.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation application of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/772,996, filed Feb. 21, 2013,
which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/601,503 filed Feb. 21, 2012,
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/663,380 filed Jun. 22,
2012, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/699,791 filed
Sep. 11, 2012. All of these applications are incorporated herein by
reference in their respective entireties.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Water is one of the most important and vital natural
resources. It is the very life-blood of a sustainable society. In
the United States, the ownership and use of water is governed by
law, usually state law. There are two general legal systems for the
regulation of water. In the eastern United States, water is
regulated by riparian water rights. In the western United States,
where the climate is often arid and water is more scarce, water is
regulated by the prior appropriation doctrine. Under the prior
appropriation doctrine, all naturally-occurring waters are deemed
to be owned by the public as a whole, but regulated by the states
as trustees for the public. The states administer the regulation of
water through state regulatory agencies, usually headed by an
official often called the "state engineer." All water not already
appropriated, i.e., not being used, is available for appropriation
and use by any person for a beneficial purpose. Because water is
owned by the public, one who desires to appropriate water to put it
to a beneficial use (referred to as an "appropriator") does not
"own" the water, but obtains only a right to use the water. The
appropriator therefore only owns a "water right."
[0003] A water rights agency maintains the records and information
associated with each water right, usually with a separate file for
each water right. The paper records within a water right file are
available for review and inspection by members of the public at the
office of the water rights agency. In addition, most water rights
agencies maintain electronic copies of water rights records, such
as in a computer database, which allows the water rights agencies
as well as the public to electronically search for and retrieve
water rights records and information. Some of these databases and
water rights records are available to the public via the
Internet.
[0004] However, water rights agencies' electronic repositories and
databases have only limited usability for robust water rights
searches and analyses. For example, a water right file or
information can be obtained only by entering the assigned water
right number or the name of the water right's owner for a specific
water right. This requires that the searcher have a specific water
right to search for and know specific identifying information about
the water right. In addition, the information obtained from a water
rights agency database in a water right search is limited to the
single, specific water right searched. The information provided by
a water rights agency database is limited, and relevant water
rights information is often difficult to locate. Accordingly, there
exists a need for an improved water rights analysis tool.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The novel system, methods, and products described herein can
be understood in light of FIGS. 1-10, in which:
[0006] FIGS. 1A and 1B depict exemplary embodiments of the water
rights analysis system and network.
[0007] FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary embodiment of the water rights
analysis system.
[0008] FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a high-level
flowchart of a water rights analysis method.
[0009] FIGS. 4A and 4B depict exemplary embodiments of flow charts
of water rights analysis methods.
[0010] FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary embodiment of another water
rights analysis method.
[0011] FIGS. 6-15 depict representations of a user interface
according various exemplary embodiments of the water rights
analysis system.
[0012] Together, the Figures illustrate specific aspects of the
novel system, methods, and products described herein and constitute
a part of the specification. Together with the following
description, the Figures demonstrate and explain principles of the
system, methods, and products.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] The following detailed description includes specific details
in order to provide a thorough understanding of the novel water
rights analysis system and method. Reference is made to the
accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is
shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which a water
rights analysis tool may be implemented. These embodiments are
described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art
to implement and/or practice the novel water rights analysis system
and methods, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may
be utilized and that structural, logical, and other changes may be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the teachings
herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be
taken in a limiting sense.
[0014] Reference in the specification to "one embodiment" or "an
embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is
included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase
"in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not
necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
[0015] The various jurisdictions that administer water rights do so
through regulatory agencies and entities ("water rights agencies")
according to their own laws, regulations, and procedures, but the
methods of administering water rights in all jurisdictions are
similar. Water rights agencies include any federal, Indian tribe,
state, or local government entity or body that regulates or
administers water rights, including but not limited to state
executive agencies (often headed by an official titled a "state
engineer"), as well as courts and other judicial tribunals.
Examples of water rights agencies include, but are not limited to,
the Utah Division of Water Rights, California Division of Water
Rights (State Water Resources Control Board), State of Washington
Department of Ecology, Oregon Water Resources Department, Idaho
Department of Water Resources, Arizona Department of Water
Resources, New Mexico Office of the State Engineer, Colorado
Division of Water Resources, Wyoming State Engineer's Office,
Montana Water Rights Bureau, North Dakota State Water Commission,
South Dakota Division of Environmental Services (Water Rights
Program), Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, Kansas Division
of Water Resources (Department of Agriculture), Oklahoma Water
Resources Board, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Alaska
Division of Mining, Land, and (Water Department of Natural
Resources), Nevada Water Resources Division, and any of their
related agencies. However, a water rights agency may be any
government agency or entity that administers water rights.
[0016] New water rights may be created by several different
methods, each of which is defined more specifically in the relevant
jurisdiction's water laws. By way of example, in one method new
water rights are created by filing an application with a water
rights agency to appropriate water. If approved by the water rights
agency, the applicant may then begin the process of putting the
water to use, such as by drilling a well or installing a diversion
dam in a stream. Once the water has been put to use, the water
right applicant/owner may then perfect the water right by obtaining
a certificate or license from the water rights agency. Regardless
of how a water right is created, a water right, whether perfected
or unperfected, gives the water right owner the right to use water
only as approved by the water rights agency. The following
parameters of a water right may be specified and limited by the
water rights agency: (i) the quantity of water approved for use,
defined in volume or flow rate; (ii) the approved purposes for
which the water can be used (the "nature of use"); (iii) the
approved point(s) of diversion ("POD") where the water can be
diverted or withdrawn from the natural hydrologic system, such as
from a stream or a groundwater well; (iv) the approved places of
use for the water ("POU"); and (v) the periods during the year when
the water can be used. In addition, water rights agencies assign a
water right a priority date, often based on when the water was
first beneficially used or first appropriated. In times of
shortage, the water rights with the highest (oldest) priority will
be the first to receive water, while those with later priorities
will be the first to have the diversion or use of water
curtailed.
[0017] A standard unit of volume for a water right is the
acre-foot, which is the volume of water that covers one acre of
land one foot deep. One acre-foot of water is approximately 325,851
gallons. A standard unit of flow rate is second-feet, or cubic feet
per second (cfs). Approved natures of use of water often include,
but are not limited to, uses such as domestic, agricultural,
irrigation, industrial, manufacturing, mining, municipal,
stockwatering, storage, power production, and instream flows (e.g.
fish habitat).
[0018] Water rights are not static. The approved nature of use,
PODs, POUs, and period of use for a water right (the "heretofore"
parameters) can be changed or transferred to new locations, new
periods of use, and/or new purposes of use (the "hereafter"
parameters). To make such a change, the water right owner must
often file an application with the water rights agency (referred to
herein as a "change application"). The water rights agency
considers the merits of the change application, and then approves
or rejects the change application. Once a change application has
been approved by the water rights agency, the water right owner may
then begin to make the change, such as by developing a new point of
diversion, applying the water to a new place of use, or using the
water for a different purpose. Once the change has been completed
and the water put to beneficial use in accordance with the change,
the water right owner may then perfect the change by obtaining a
license or certificate from the water rights agency. For example,
if a water right owner desires to move the approved POD from a
point on a stream to an underground water well, the water right
owner must file a change application with the water rights agency,
showing the stream diversion as the heretofore POD and the proposed
well location as the hereafter POD. If the water rights agency
approves the change application, the water right owner may then
begin drilling the well. When the well is complete and has produced
water, the water right owner may then perfect the POD change by
obtaining a certificate for the change from the water rights
agency.
[0019] Another type of water right is a water right exchange. A
water right exchange involves the release of water into a stream,
reservoir or other body of water in exchange for a like quantity of
water withdrawn at another point. For example, a person may divert
water from a groundwater well in exchange for releasing the same
quantity of water, such as from a reservoir, into a river upstream
from the groundwater well. Such an exchange is accomplished by
first filing an exchange application with the water rights agency.
Once the exchange application is approved, the applicant may then
begin to make the exchange and put the water to use in accordance
with the approval of exchange application.
[0020] As used herein, "water rights" refers to all water rights
administered by a water rights agency, whether perfected or
unperfected, and whether created or arising by a court decree or
order, a certificate issued by the water rights agency, a claim
filed with a water rights agency or a court, an approved
application to appropriate, an approved change application, a water
right segregation, and/or an approved exchange application, or any
other method under the law of the jurisdiction for creating a water
right. It should be appreciated that each jurisdiction may have its
own terminology with respect to water right rights regulation and
administration, and that the terms used herein are not intended to
be limiting but only representative of the nature and type of water
right and associated water right data among all jurisdictions.
[0021] The water rights system, methods, and products described
herein provide a unique and powerful tool for accessing large
amounts of water rights information and conveying it in a format
that allows performance of much more detailed, robust, and accurate
analyses of water rights information and trends than possible with
conventional tools.
[0022] FIG. 1A shows the components of a water rights analysis
system 101 and associated network. The water rights analysis system
101 is located on a server 102 and is connected to a water rights
agency database 104 via a network 103. The server 102 receives
water rights data from the water rights agency database 104 via the
network 103. The server 102 stores the received water rights data
in one or more databases (not shown) housed on the server 102. The
server 102 receives a search query from a user 105A via a user
device 106A transmitted to the server 102 via a network 107. Based
on the search query from user 105A, the water rights analysis
system 101 on the server 102 retrieves the relevant water rights
data called for by the user's search query and returns the search
results to the user device 106A.
[0023] The server 102 may comprise one or more servers, computers,
processors, or other devices capable of storing or executing the
water rights analysis system 101 and software to perform the
methods described herein. The user device 106A is any type of
electronic computing device that allows the user 105A to
electronically connect with the water rights analysis system 101
via a network (e.g., network 107) and receive or display visual or
graphical results. The user device 106A includes, but is not
limited to, a computer, laptop, tablet, mobile phone, smartphone,
personal digital assistant, gaming console, Internet television,
and the like. Indeed, the user device 106A may include any type of
computer processor configured to communicate via a network with the
water rights analysis system 101 and display results visually or
graphically, either on the user device 106A or on another visual
display device connected to the user device 106A, such as a monitor
or touch-screen. Any number of users 105A . . . 105N and user
devices 106A . . . 106N may communicate with the server 102 and run
queries on the water rights analysis system 101 at any given
time.
[0024] The networks 103 and 107 may include any type of electronic
network, including, but not limited to, the Internet, a local area
network, wireless area network, VPN, satellite network, fiber optic
network, and the like. The connection to the networks 103 and 107
may be accomplished via a network interface device (not shown),
which may comprise, for example, a telephone modem, a cable modem,
a DSL line, a satellite, a cellular network, a router, gateway,
hub, and the like.
[0025] The water rights agency database 104 contains water rights
data regarding the water rights administered by the water rights
agency, including, but not limited to, water rights data
representative of each water right's reference number, owner(s),
POD(s), POU(s), quantity of use, nature of use, period of use,
priority date, storage rights, status, and all associated change
applications and exchange applications, and any other applications
or information associated with the water right (e.g. extensions of
time, non-use applications, segregation applications, etc.). The
status of a water right is typically classified by the water rights
agency as approved, rejected, withdrawn, lapsed, or certificated
(i.e. perfected). The water rights data may also include water
rights data representative of the basis for the water right, such
as a court order or decree, application to appropriate, change
application, exchange application, water right segregation, claim,
or otherwise. For all change applications, the water rights data
may include the "heretofore" and "hereafter" parameters of the
water right, including but not limited to the PODs, POUs, quantity
of use, nature of use, period of use, priority date, and storage
rights. There are also other application types that have similar,
relevant data, such as but not limited to, non-use applications,
applications to extend the time for filing proof or perfection
applications, water reuse applications, and segregation
applications. In addition, the water rights data may include
hydrologic basins and their boundaries, water rights agency
policies, and groundwater management plans. In sum, water right
data is any data and/or information stored in the water rights
agency database 104 pertaining to water rights.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 1B, the system may also optionally be
communicatively coupled to a real property database 108 containing
real property data, i.e. data regarding real property parcels. The
real property database 108 may be one or more databases containing
geo-referenced parcel boundary line data, such as a database of
real property parcels maintained or administered by a state tax
commission, county assessor, or county recorder. The property data
stored in the real property database 108 may also include data for
each parcel such as the parcel number, owner name and contact
address, parcel address, and legal description. In this embodiment,
the water rights analysis system 101 receives real property data
from the real property database 108 and stores it in the water
rights analysis system 101.
[0027] In another embodiment (not shown), the water rights analysis
system 101 is stored on computer media readable by removable disk
drive or stored in solid state memory, volatile or otherwise (not
shown) in communication with the processor in the user device 106A.
For example, the water rights analysis system 101 may be installed
on the user device 106A hard drive, or may be software accessed
from a CD-ROM or other removable storage media. In this embodiment,
all water rights data and property data is previously obtained from
a water rights agency database 104 and real property database 108
and stored in the water rights analysis system 101 databases, and
may be updated periodically. Such variations are all within the
knowledge of one skilled in the art and, thus, will not be further
elaborated on herein.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 2, components of the water rights
analysis system 101 are shown in more detail. As shown, the water
rights analysis system 101 may include a communication module 201,
processing module 203, search module 211, translator module 216,
user interface module 218, and data storage facility 202. The
components of system 101 may communicate with one another,
including sending data to and receiving data from one another via
communication infrastructure, using any suitable communication
technologies.
[0029] Communication module 201 may be configured to facilitate
communication between system 101 and user devices 106N, water
rights agency databases 104, and real property databases 108. In
particular, communication module 201 may be configured to transmit
and/or receive communication signals and/or data to/from user
devices 106N, water rights agency databases 104, and real property
databases 108. Examples of communication module 201 may include,
without limitation, a wired network interface (such as a network
interface card), a wireless network interface (such as a wireless
network interface card), a modem, and any other suitable
interface.
[0030] Processing module 203 may include one or more hardware
processors and may be configured to execute and/or direct execution
of one or more of the water right analysis system processes or
operations described herein. Processing module 203 may direct
execution of operations in accordance with computer-executable
instructions such as may be stored in storage facility 202 or
another computer-readable medium.
[0031] User interface module 218 may be configured to provide one
or more user interfaces configured to facilitate user interaction
with system 101. For example, user interface module 218 may provide
a user interface through which one or more functions, options,
features, and/or tools may be provided to a user and through which
user input may be received. In certain embodiments, user interface
module 218 may be configured to direct a user device to display one
or more web pages and/or any other content as may serve a
particular implementation.
[0032] The water rights analysis system 101 also includes a search
module 211 for receiving and processing a user's search query. The
search module 211 is configured to receive a search query from a
user device, to communicate with the system databases, and to
return to the user device the results of the user's search
query.
[0033] Data storage facility 202 may include one or more data
storage media, devices, and/or configurations and may employ any
type, form, and combination of data storage media and/or device.
For example, data storage facility 202 may include, but is not
limited to, a hard drive, network drive, flash drive, magnetic
disc, optical disc, random access memory ("RAM"), dynamic RAM
("DRAM"), other non-volatile and/or volatile data storage units,
holographic storage medium, or a combination or sub-combination
thereof. Electronic data, including data described herein, may be
temporarily and/or permanently stored in data storage facility
202.
[0034] In some examples, data may be arranged in one or more
databases residing within storage facility 202. For example, data
storage facility 202 may include one or more water rights databases
210 for storing water rights data received from one or more water
rights agency databases 104. The search module 211 is configured to
receive a search query from a user device 106A and run the process
described below to identify the relevant water rights data in the
water rights databases 210 and return the search results to the
user device via a user interface. The data storage facility 202 may
also include a geographic information system (GIS) reference
dataset 212 that correlates to geo-referenced water rights data and
comprises a base layer of the search results output to the user
device. Data regarding the users' use of the system 101 may be
maintained in a separate system and user database 213 for system
data and user accounts.
[0035] In one embodiment, the data storage facility 202 may also
include a hydrologic basins database 214 containing hydrologic
basins data. In another embodiment, the data storage facility 202
also includes a real property database 215 containing real property
data obtained from an external real property database (e.g., real
property database 108).
[0036] The water rights databases 210 generally comprise one or
more tables or relational databases for water rights data, but may
be any type of database known to those of skill in the art capable
of implementation in the present system and methods. In one
embodiment, the water rights data is stored in the system databases
210 in the same form and type of databases as the data is stored in
the water rights agency databases 204. In this embodiment, the
system databases 210 may be a copy of the water rights agency
databases 204. The system databases 210 may include all of the
water rights data included in the regulatory agency database 204.
For example, in one embodiment, the water rights databases for Utah
comprise separate tables for water rights, owners, change
applications, heretofore PODs, heretofore and hereafter nature of
use, and correlations among the tables, such as which water rights
are evidenced by which changes.
[0037] The water rights analysis system 101 may also include one or
more GIS datasets 212 for visually displaying as the search results
the geo-referenced water rights data, hydrologic basins data, and
any other data stored in the system's databases. In one embodiment,
the GIS dataset 212 comprises a geo-reference base layer such as a
map or ortho-rectified satellite or aerial image. Any type of map
may be used as the geo-reference base layer, including a street
map, political boundaries map, topographical map, U.S. Geological
Survey (USGS) maps, surveys, and the like. The GIS dataset 212 may
be based on a geographic coordinate system or a projected
coordinate system. The GIS dataset 212 is capable of presenting any
geographically referenced data on the geo-reference base layer, and
is characterized by either raster datasets or vector datasets. In
one embodiment, the GIS dataset 212 is derived from any free, open
source, or commercially available GIS web-mapping or imaging
application, API or software development kit, such as, but not
limited to, Google Maps, GoogleEarth, and OpenLayers.
Geo-referenced data stored in the water rights databases 210,
hydrologic basins databases 214, real property databases 215, and
any other geo-referenced data is correlated with the GIS dataset
212 so that it may be displayed on the geo-reference base image
layer in the search results. The GIS dataset 212 may also include
other datasets besides the geo-reference base layer, including but
not limited to datasets for features (points, lines, polygons),
attributes, and continuous surfaces.
[0038] The water rights analysis system 101 may also include a
system database 213 for storing system and user data about the
water rights analysis system 101 and its users. Such system and
user data includes, but is not limited to, a table of registered
users, user account settings, user profiles, user billing data,
user reports, user search histories, user logins, bandwidth usage,
customer service requests, error messages, and the like. Indeed,
any type of information about the water rights analysis system 101
and its users may be included in the system database 213.
[0039] The hydrologic basins databases 214 may contain all
hydrologic basins data. Many water rights agencies geographically
divide their jurisdiction according to hydrologic basins and
regulate and administer water rights according to the hydrologic
basins in which the water rights are located. Hydrologic basins
data received from the water rights agency databases 104 generally
comprise the geo-referenced location vector data that define
hydrologic basins as polygons. Hydrologic basins data may also
include any other data associated by the water rights agency
databases 104 with the hydrologic basins, such as basin names or
identifiers, and correlations to the hydrologic basins data. The
hydrologic basins data is geographically referenced to the GIS
dataset 212 so that the hydrologic basins may be displayed on the
base map layer, such as by showing the basin boundaries or shading
or cross-hatching the basin areas.
[0040] In another embodiment (not shown), the water rights analysis
system 101 includes a database of water rights agency
administrative policies. Often, a water rights agency will issue or
promulgate policies or groundwater management plans that affect
water rights within specific hydrologic basins or other geographic
regions. For example, the Utah Division of Water Rights has adopted
a policy prohibiting certain POD changes within a portion of the
Tooele Valley basin. A separate administrative policies database
may be included in the system 101 for all such water rights agency
policies and plans.
[0041] The real property database 215 stores geo-referenced vector
parcel data referenced to the GIS dataset 212. The real property
database 215 is configured to communicate with the search module
211 to allow a user to perform a search query based on geographic
location parameters, such as a parcel number or identifier, rather
than a water right.
[0042] The water rights analysis system 101 may also maintain a
unique set of water rights databases 210, hydrologic basins
databases 214, and real property databases 215 for each different
jurisdiction. For each state, the set of databases is referred to
as the "state databases."
[0043] The water rights analysis system 101 may also include a
translator module 216 that translates the data stored in the
system's databases for use in the methods described below. The
translator module 216 allows the water rights analysis system 101
to run the same processes with only one set of instructions on all
search queries for all jurisdictions. The translator module 216
allows the same front end of the system 101 to receive data from
water rights agencies in multiple different jurisdictions and to
deal with database schema changes. In one embodiment, because each
jurisdiction and water rights agency uses its own terminology and
field identifiers in its water rights agency databases 104, the
translator module 216 translates the data into a common format or
identifier for easier use with the front end of the water rights
analysis system 101. For example, Utah's CH_STATUS field is
translated to CHANGE_STATUS. Another state may have a field named
TRANSFER_STATUS, which would also translate to CHANGE_STATUS so the
field name is the same from the front end for all state water
rights data.
[0044] In another embodiment, the translator module 216 translates
data obtained from the water rights agency databases by
consolidating related data into single rows in the tables. For
example, water rights data maintained by a water rights agency may
have a separate row for every instance that an owner or a POD is
used in a water right application, thus leading to many duplicate
rows and errors associated with new or updated data. The water
rights analysis system 101 is structured to have one row for an
owner, POD, or water right so as to eliminate the above-described
problems. This is done by the translator module 216, which
normalizes multiple rows in the water rights agency data into one
row whenever the multiple rows are determined to be the same. For
example, this may be done by matching the first name, last name,
care of, address, address city, and address fields for water right
owners and/or water right protesters. For PODs, the normalizing may
be done by matching the POD type and geographic location of the
PODs.
[0045] Additionally, the translator module 216 may also fix
imported data by removing unprintable strings and control
characters and translating Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM)
coordinates into latitude and longitude coordinates.
[0046] In one embodiment, the water rights data is translated by
the translator module 216 only when a user initiates a search. In
an alternative embodiment, water rights data received from the
water rights agency databases 204 is translated before it is stored
in the system's water rights databases 210. Thus, the system's
databases are not exact copies of the water rights agency databases
104, but instead are already in a format useable by the water
rights analysis system 101 when a user search query is received.
However, it should be appreciated that either arrangement may be
used in the water rights analysis system 101. Maintaining the
system's databases in the same format as the water rights agency
databases 104, and thus translating the water rights data only when
a user initiates a search query, makes updating the system
databases from the water rights agency databases 104 easier and
faster at the cost of slightly more processing time when a user
performs a search. On the other hand, translating the data received
prior to storing it in the system's databases makes updating the
system's databases longer and more cumbersome, but decreases the
processing time when a user performs a search. It should be
understood that the system 101 may receive water rights data,
hydrologic basins data, and property data from water rights agency
databases, hydrologic basins databases, and real property databases
at any time, and at any scheduled interval. For example, the system
101 may update all databases once a week at a time when few users
are likely to be using the system 101.
[0047] The water rights analysis system 101 is also configured to
detect changes to the water rights data in the water rights agency
databases 210 by checking for changes in electronic or paper
documents scanned and stored in the water rights agency database.
Each such document is downloaded by the system 101 and hashed using
any common low collision hashing algorithm to generate a fixed
length string, such as a 64- or 128-character hash. The hash is
stored in the water rights databases 210 in the system along with
the time the document was downloaded and hashed. The next time the
file is checked from the water rights agency database 104, a new
hash is generated and compared with the stored hash. If the new
hash is different the file has changed, in which case the system
101 saves the downloaded document in the water rights databases and
may provide a notification to an administrator or to a user via an
alert on the website. All previous versions of the document can be
stored over time to show a full history of changes. This can be
done by storing every version of the document explicitly or by
storing the incremental changes or any other algorithm known to
those skilled in the art.
[0048] In some examples, one or more of the modules and data
storage facility shown in FIG. 2 may be implemented at least in
part as computing instructions (e.g., as one or more applications)
residing within data storage facility 202 or other
computer-readable medium and configured to direct processing module
203 to perform and/or direct one or more other components of water
rights analysis system 101 to perform one or more of the processes
and/or operations described herein. In certain embodiments, for
example, search module 211 may be implemented, at least in part, as
computing instructions residing within data storage facility 202
and configured to direct processing module 203 to perform one or
more of the processes and/or functions described herein.
[0049] An exemplary process performed by the water rights analysis
system 101 is illustrated in FIG. 3 as a software program executing
in the system server 102. FIG. 3 shows a high-level flowchart of
one embodiment of the process that implements the functions of the
water rights analysis system described above. While FIG. 3
illustrates exemplary steps according to one embodiment, other
embodiments may omit, add to, reorder, and/or modify any of the
steps shown in FIG. 3.
[0050] The water rights analysis system receives a search query
input from a user (step 301). Based on the search query, the system
defines a geographic search area (step 302), which allows the
system to identify the relevant water rights data in the system
databases (step 303) and return the relevant water rights data to
the user device as the search results output via a user interface
(step 304). Relevant water rights data includes all water rights
data for water rights having one or more geo-referenced water
rights data elements, such as POD or POU, that are located within
the search area. The geographic search area may be refined,
resized, or relocated by the user (step 305), and the search
results returned to the user may also be filtered and customized by
the user (step 306).
[0051] The search query is used to determine a geographic starting
point location on the geo-reference base layer around which a
search area can be defined. Referring to FIG. 4A, the search query
may be received by the water rights analysis system from a user in
many different forms. The search query may comprise a water rights
data search created by the user entering a search term into a
search box on the user interface (step 401). The search term may be
any of the water rights data in the system water rights databases,
such as a water right number, water right owner, or change
application number. It should be appreciated that the system may be
configured to allow the user to search for any of the water rights
data in any of the system's databases. The system scans the water
rights databases for matching data to identify the matching water
right (step 402). If there are several matching results, such as if
several water rights are owned by the same owner, the system
displays a listing of all matching water rights (step 403) and
allows the user to select the desired water right (step 404). If
there is only one matching result, or if the user has selected one
water right from a list of multiple results, the system then
defines the geographic starting point location as any one of the
PODs of the water right, as described herein (step 405).
[0052] As shown in FIG. 4A, the user may also proceed with a direct
geographic location search instead of a water rights data search.
In one embodiment, the system may display the geo-reference layer,
such as a map or aerial photo, at the outset on the user device. In
one form of a geographic location search, the user manually places
a geographic point location marker on the geo-reference layer (step
410). This may be done by drag-and-drop, i.e. allowing the user to
select a point location marker by clicking on the marker (with the
use of a mouse or touch-pad or other user-controlled device) and
dragging it onto the geo-reference layer and dropping the marker at
the desired location where the user wishes to query the system for
water rights data. Or, it may be done by allowing the user to point
a cursor or arrow or other similar marker controlled by the user at
the location on the geo-reference layer and then performing a
user-controlled action to designate the location, such as clicking,
double-clicking, or right selecting and selecting an option from a
pop-up menu. Regardless of the method followed, the system
determines the starting point location as the coordinate location
of the marker (step 411). In another embodiment (not shown), the
user may draw a rectangle on the geo-reference layer to define the
search area.
[0053] In a further embodiment, the direct geographic search query
comprises a user searching for a physical location address, county
selection, or zip code (step 412). In this embodiment, the system
determines a point coordinate location for the address or zip code
by geocoding (step 413). Geocoding is the process of determining
associated geographic point location coordinates from other
information, such as street addresses or zip codes. Any type of
geocoding system may be used, including those available through
third parties. The use of geocoding is known to those of skill in
the art, and therefore is not discussed further.
[0054] In another option, the direct geographic search query
comprises a parcel number search, commenced by the user entering a
property parcel number (step 414). The number is of the type
assigned or maintained by a state, county, or other government
entity, such as a tax parcel number, for real property parcels. The
system scans the real property database to locate a matching parcel
(step 415). A point location coordinate is then derived from the
property data by retrieving the polygon vector data defining the
parcel's boundaries and determining the geometric center of the
parcel polygon (step 416). In another embodiment (not shown), the
system may define a starting point location from a parcel number
search by scanning the real property database to determine the
physical address for the parcel number, and then determine a point
location coordinate for the address as described above through the
use of geocoding.
[0055] In another embodiment, the direct geographic search query
comprises a search based on a township and range search, and may
further include a section search within the township and range.
[0056] In another embodiment shown in FIG. 4B, the system may be
configured to receive a user selection of the relevant jurisdiction
for the user's search query (step 400). Receiving a user selection
of the relevant jurisdiction allows the system to determine which
system databases will be searched for the relevant water rights
data to return in the search results. In one example, the system is
configured to allow the user to select in which state the user will
be searching.
[0057] In another embodiment (not shown), the system is configured
to allow the user to specify the desired type of water rights data
to search in the water rights databases and to present to the user
as search results. By way of example, the system may allow the user
to conduct a water creation search, current water search, change
applications search, or exchange applications search. Indeed, the
system may be configured to allow the user to define the type of
search to be performed, and the options for such may be based on
any water rights data. A water creation search directs the water
rights analysis system to search and present to the user water
rights data relating to the creation of water rights, such as
applications to appropriate, water claims, and the like. A current
water search directs the system to identify and display the current
parameters of one or more water rights, without showing any
historical changes (such as POD changes).
[0058] Having identified a geographic starting point location, the
system defines a geographic search area around the geographic
starting point location (420). The search area generally comprises
a set of vector data creating a polygon layer on the geo-reference
layer. The search area may be any shape, including but not limited
to a circle or polygon. In another embodiment, the search area is
the hydrologic basin polygon in which the geographic point location
is located, as defined by the water rights agency hydrologic basin
data. The search area may also be any size. The system may have a
default setting for the size of the search area, and may allow the
user to adjust the default setting. The geographic search area may
be defined with the geographic starting point anywhere within the
search area, but most preferably as the center of the search area.
The system displays the search area on the geo-reference layer on
the user device (step 421). The user may refine and resize the
search area at any time during the process as desired by the user,
making the search area larger or smaller, or altering its shape and
dimensions.
[0059] In another embodiment not shown, the search area is defined
as a hydrologic basin as defined in the hydrologic basins database.
In this manner, a user may search all water rights within a certain
hydrologic basin.
[0060] After the search area has been defined, the system
identifies the relevant water rights data and presents the search
results output to the user device. To identify the relevant water
rights data, the system performs a point-in-polygon test on all
geo-referenced water rights data, such as POD or POU, to determine
if any water rights data elements are located within the search
area (step 422). The point-in-polygon test may comprise any method
known to those of skill in the art, such as, but not limited to, a
ray casting method or angle addition. If a water rights data
element is located within the search area, such as a POD, the water
rights data, and other associated information, is displayed to the
user as the search results (step 423). If the water rights data
elements are not located within the search area for a particular
water right, the water rights data is not displayed in the search
results (step 424).
[0061] The system may determine relevancy based on the existence of
only one water rights data element being located within the search
area. For example, a water right may have all but one POD located
outside of the search area, but the location of one POD within the
search area will result in the water right associated with that POD
being defined as relevant. The criteria for determining relevancy
may be adjusted or defined differently, whether by the system
default settings or by the user. For example, a user may adjust the
settings such that only those water rights having all
geo-referenced water rights data elements within the search area
are relevant. Or, in an alternative example, relevancy is based
only on the heretofore, or hereafter PODs.
[0062] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4B, the system may
also perform an additional step prior to defining the search area,
in order to filter or narrow the list of water rights data that the
system will scan to determine which water rights data is relevant
to return as the search results output. This additional step
comprises determining the hydrologic basin in which the search is
performed (step 430). Water rights data for each water right are
often tied in the system databases, directly or indirectly through
correlation tables, to the hydrologic basin in which the water
right's PODs are located. By determining in which hydrologic basin
the search is to be performed, the system can eliminate significant
amounts of water rights data to be searched in determining the
relevant water rights data for the search results output. This can
result in a significant decrease in processing time. The applicable
hydrologic basin is determined from the search query.
[0063] If the search query is a textual water rights data search,
such as a water right number or owner name, the system searches the
water rights databases until it identifies and locates the water
right entered by the user. The system then determines from the
water rights databases and hydrologic basins databases in which
hydrologic basin the water right is located. For example, if a user
searches for Utah water right number 15-422, the system determines
from the system water rights database that the water right is
located in Utah hydrologic basin number 15. Thus, when searching
for relevant water rights data for the search results in later
process steps (see below), the system will only search water rights
data for water rights located in hydrologic basin number 15 (step
422). Otherwise, the system would search all water rights data for
all water rights in the state.
[0064] If the search query is a direct geographic search query, the
point location coordinate is used to determine the relevant
hydrologic basin for the water rights data search. This is done by
the system performing a point-in-polygon test with the point
location coordinate compared against the water rights
agency-defined polygons for hydrologic basins in the system
database. Each water rights agency defines unique hydrologic basins
with vector data in the form of polygons. The point location
coordinate is compared against all hydrologic basin polygons until
the relevant basin is identified from the system database.
[0065] It should be appreciated that many other methods known to
those of skill in the art, or in the spirit and scope of these
teachings, may be used to determine the relevant hydrologic basin.
However, it should be understood that determining the hydrologic
basin is not required to implement the system. In an embodiment of
the system and process, determining the relevant hydrologic basin
is omitted.
[0066] In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 5, the system may be
configured to search for all water rights associated with a
particular owner to present an "inventory" of that owner's water
rights on the user device. To begin, a search query is received by
the water rights analysis system (step 501). The search query may
comprise all or part of an owner name, such as a last name, a first
name, an entity name, and the beginning letters of a first or last
name. The search query may also include additional information to
further identify the owner, such as owner's address, or a "care of"
(c/o) designation. The system then searches the water rights
database to identify all water rights associated with the owner
specified in the search query (step 502).
[0067] In one embodiment, the search accounts for spelling errors
in the owner name data maintained in the water rights database,
because water rights data obtained from a water rights agency often
contains spelling and typographical errors. In this embodiment,
every owner name in the water rights database is parsed into
separate words (e.g. first name, middle name, last name, entity
name) for comparison with the search query terms. The system
accounts for spelling errors by comparing each of the following
permutations of the search query against the parsed owner names
from the water rights databases: all names having an added letter
(a-z) at the beginning, an added letter at the end (a-z), a change
in any one letter to a different letter (a-z), and/or a change in
any second letter to a different letter (a-z). Matches are added to
a list of possible search results and presented to the user for
user selection (step 503). It should be appreciated that methods
other than those described herein may be used to capture errors and
misspellings in owner name data. The user then selects the relevant
water rights, i.e. the water rights that the user desires to
include in the inventory (step 504). After the relevant water
rights have been selected, the system returns the search results by
presenting the relevant water rights on a display associated with
the user device, as described herein (step 505).
[0068] The search results from any of the searches described above
may be presented to the user device in different forms. As shown in
FIGS. 6-14, the search results output may comprise one or more
search results layers of geo-referenced water rights data displayed
on the geo-reference base layer. In these examples, the search
results layers are vector data comprising graphical elements, such
as points, lines, and/or polygons, representing the relevant
geo-referenced water rights data elements. Any geo-referenced water
rights data elements may be represented in the search results by a
graphical element. In another output format, as shown in FIG. 15,
the search results are presented in a fully-customizable results
table or other textual listing. In another embodiment, the search
results are presented in both formats.
[0069] The relevant water rights data elements represented in the
geo-reference layers output may include any geo-spatially
referenced water rights data elements in the system database,
including but not limited to PODs, POUs, parcel boundaries,
irrigation duty, crop distribution, and the like, as well as public
land survey system information (e.g., township, range, and section
data and boundaries). In one embodiment, the system obtains an
official overlay layer from the relevant water rights agency
database for display. The geo-reference layers and water rights
data represented therein may be color-coded by heretofore and
hereafter values if the search is a change application or exchange
application search. Furthermore, each geo-reference layer of the
search results can be toggled on and off by the user.
[0070] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, point locations that
are located within the search area 602, such as PODs, are
represented by a placemark icon 603 on the geo-reference base layer
601 on the user interface 600. The system may display a placemark
icon 603 on the geo-reference base layer 601 for each POD
associated with a relevant water right, or for each POD located
within the search area. In another embodiment, the system displays
just one placemark icon 603 for a water right having more than one
POD. In this embodiment, the POD identified on the map with a
placemark 603 may be determined by any means, such as randomly or
in sequential order of the PODs listed in the system database, or
by averaging, as described herein. In another embodiment, the user
may have the option to select whether the system displays a
placemark 603 for all PODs for each water right, or for only one
POD for each water right. The user may also have the option of
selecting the criteria to determine which POD is represented on the
map by a placemark 603. The system may also be configured to
display placemarks 603 for all PODs located in the search area 602
for each water right.
[0071] The POD placemark icons 603 may also be configured to
display additional information about the associated water right.
For example, as shown in FIG. 6, by clicking on or otherwise
selecting the placemark icon 603, the system may display one or
more popups, dialog boxes, or balloons 605 with water rights data
and information about the water right or POD represented by the POD
placemark icon 603, such as the water right number, owner, POD
legal description, the priority date or filing date of the water
right, and/or a hyperlink to the water right record or file on the
water rights agency database. While this data is only an example,
any water rights data in the system database associated with the
POD or its associated water right may be displayed in the popups,
dialog boxes, or balloons 605.
[0072] In another embodiment, the POUs for water rights having a
POU located within the search area 602 may be represented on the
geo-reference base layer. This may be shown by line or polygon
vector data defining the boundaries 606 of the POU, or shading the
area comprising the POU. The POU information for each water right
is contained within the water rights databases.
[0073] The system may also visually display POD changes for a water
right, which is done by displaying a line (a "change line") 610
from a heretofore POD 609-1 to a hereafter POD 609-2 as a vector
data layer on the geo-reference base layer 601. For water rights
having only one heretofore and one hereafter POD, the change line
610 may be a single line between the two PODs (a "one-to-one"
change), as shown in FIG. 6. But for water rights having multiple
heretofore and/or hereafter PODs, the change line may take many
different forms. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the system
displays, on geo-reference base layer 701 on user interface 700, a
change line 710 from only one heretofore POD 709-1 to only one
hereafter POD 709-4, even though there are multiple heretofore and
hereafter PODs 709 (e.g., PODs 709-1 through 709-5). The heretofore
and hereafter PODs 709 used for the change line 710 may be
determined randomly, or they may be determined according to which
PODs are located within the search area 702, or any other method.
Regardless of which PODs are used, the change line 710 starts and
stops on actual PODs.
[0074] In another embodiment for displaying a POD change line, as
shown in the user interface 800 depicted in FIG. 8, the system
displays, in search area 802 on geo-reference base layer 801, only
one change line 810 from the average heretofore POD 813 to the
average hereafter POD 814. The PODs 809 (e.g. PODs 809-1 through
809-5) shown in FIG. 8 are averaged by determining the geometric
center of the polygon defined by all PODs for the heretofore and
the hereafter groups. This method gives the user a good
approximation and overview of the POD change from a glance.
[0075] In another embodiment for displaying a POD change line, the
system displays one or more change lines between heretofore and
hereafter PODs determined according to an "intelligent average." To
do this, the system groups the heretofore PODs into relevant
subgroups and then averages them using an algorithm as follows:
[0076] 1. determine the farthest distance between a heretofore POD
and hereafter POD; [0077] 2. determine the "group distance" as a
pre-defined fraction of farthest distance, such as 1/10 of the
farthest distance; [0078] 3. group all PODs within the "group
distance" from each other, creating one or more groups; and [0079]
4. determine the average of each group, as described above for
averaging. The pre-defined fraction used to determine the "group
distance" may be configured at a fraction other than 1/10, or the
user may define the fraction. Indeed, the fraction may be
determined according to any other method known to those of skill in
the art. Intelligent averaging makes a POD change to a single
general area, such as a new well field, display only one change
line, but a POD change going in two different directions, as shown
in user interface 900 depicted in FIG. 9, might display, in search
area 902 on geo-reference base layer 901, multiple change lines
910-1 and 910-2. Doing this gives a good approximation and overview
of the POD change where there are multiple heretofore or hereafter
PODs 909 (e.g. PODs 909-1 through 909-5) at different general
locations. Using the fraction of the total distance also keeps
small movements to multiple points from being grouped. In another
embodiment for displaying a POD change, as shown in user interface
1000 depicted FIG. 10, the system displays, in search area 1002 on
geo-reference base layer 1001, change lines 1010-1, 1010-2, 1010-3,
1010-4, 1010-5, and 1010-6 from each heretofore POD 1009-1, 1009-2,
and 1009-3 to each hereafter POD 1009-4 and 1009-5, referred to as
"cross product."
[0080] Some water rights do not have specific point location data
for PODs. For example, where a water right allows stockwatering
from a stream anywhere within a 40-acre tract of land, the POD is
not a single point location, but is any point along the stream
within the 40-acre tract, or between two defined points on a stream
(i.e. from "point-to-point"). In one embodiment, as shown in user
interface 1000 depicted in FIG. 11, the system determines the
center 1115 of the tract of land 1106 (located in search area 1102
on geo-reference base layer 1101) in which the point-to-point is
located, often a full township/range section (640 acres), or a
quarter-quarter section (40 acres), and uses such center point 1115
as the starting or ending point(s) for the change line 1110, along
with POD 1109 as the other of the starting or ending point, and
also displays the tract(s) of land, either with a boundary polygon
1116 or area shading or cross-hatching, or both. If the
point-to-point is a single point, as is sometimes the case, then
the single point is treated like a POD. In another embodiment, an
entire 40-acre section, quarter-quarter section, section, or
township may be shown as necessary if there is insufficient data to
identify a point-to-point or center point.
[0081] The change lines may take many different forms and
configurations. In one aspect, the change lines have shape
identifiers at one or both ends of the change line, representing
the heretofore and hereafter PODs. For example, as shown in FIG. 6,
the change line 610 may be configured to terminate with an arrow at
the hereafter POD 609-2. The arrow 620 also shows the direction in
which the POD was moved from its original location, as well as
distinguishes between the heretofore and hereafter PODs. In another
embodiment, where there are multiple water rights or POD changes
within the search area, the change lines, or the shape identifiers,
may be color coded, such as to distinguish between different POD
change applications.
[0082] In another embodiment, the change lines themselves are color
coded to indicate the status of the POD changes. In one example, a
green change line indicates that the POD change was approved by the
water rights agency; a red change line indicates that the POD
change was denied or rejected by the water rights agency; and a
yellow change line indicates that the water rights agency has not
made a determination yet regarding the POD change. In another
aspect, there may also be several change lines stacked on top of
each other, such as when there are identical POD changes. The
different change lines in the stack may be distinguished in many
ways, such as by color coding the lines; providing a unique shape
identifier at the heretofore POD, such as a square shape when
change lines are stacked, and a circle shape when there is only one
change line; providing a different thickness for each change line
in the stack such that the stack goes from thinnest to thickest,
with the thickest at the bottom; curving the change lines into arcs
of different radii; or any combination of the above. Indeed, any
method known to those of skill in the art may be used to
distinguish stacked lines from single change lines, and to
distinguish among stacked change lines in a stack.
[0083] The change line is also configured to display additional
information when the user clicks on the change line. For example,
as shown in FIG. 7, by clicking or otherwise selecting change line
710, the system displays one or more popups, dialog boxes, and/or
balloons 705 with additional water rights data about the POD change
represented by the change line, such as the change application
number, the associated water right number, the POD legal
descriptions, the priority date or filing date of the change
application, and/or a hyperlink to the change application or water
right record or file on the water rights agency database. While
this data is only an example, any data in the system database
associated with the POD change application or its associated water
right may be displayed in the popups, dialog boxes, and/or balloons
705.
[0084] The system may determine which change lines to display
within the search area by one of three methods. In the first, only
those change lines that both begin and end at PODs within the
search area will be displayed. In the second, only change lines
that end at PODs within the search area will be displayed. In the
third, only change lines that begin at a POD within the search area
will be displayed. In another embodiment, if a change line is
displayed, as determined by any of the methods just described
above, all other change lines and/or PODs associated with the same
water right are also displayed, regardless if they satisfy the same
criteria. The system is configured to allow the user to determine
which method will be used to determine which change lines will be
displayed in the search area. In addition, the system is configured
to allow the user to determine how the POD changes are displayed,
i.e. one-to-one, averaged, intelligent averaged, or cross product,
as described above.
[0085] The system is also configured to allow the user to
selectively remove or hide any of the water rights data displayed
in the search results on the geo-reference layer. This may be done,
for example, by clicking or otherwise selecting a change line or
POD icon to initiate the popup box, and then selecting an option to
remove or hide the change line or POD icon, or simply clicking on
the change line or POD icon. In this way, the user can remove or
filter through and remove or hide water rights data that is of
little interest to his or her search. In one embodiment, a user may
remove all water rights data associated with a water right or
change application, or only individual representations of the water
right data, such as an individual change line or POD.
[0086] As described above, the search results may include any
geo-referenced water rights data, such as PODs, and POD changes. In
another example of displaying geo-referenced water rights data, the
system may also display POU changes in the same manner described
above for POD changes. POU changes may be identified by a line
between the heretofore and hereafter POUs. For example, as shown in
user interface 1200 depicted in FIG. 12, the change line 1210,
displayed in search area 1202 on geo-reference base layer 1201, may
originate and terminate either at a point location within the
heretofore POU 1206-1 and hereafter POU 1206-2, respectively, such
as a point at the geometric center 1215 of the POUs 1206-1 and
1206-2, or at a point location on the heretofore POU polygon
boundary. However, it should be understood that the foregoing is
only an example, and other configurations than those described
herein may be used to display a POU change.
[0087] A water right exchange is another example of geo-referenced
water rights data that may be shown in the search results similar
to POD icons, POD changes, and POU changes. A water right exchange
involves releasing water into a water body (lake, river, reservoir,
canal, ditch, etc.) at a POD (or point of release) in order to
allow the water user to take a like quantity of water at a point of
exchange. As shown in the user interface 1300 depicted in FIG. 13,
the system may display both the POD (or the point of release)
1309-1 and the point of exchange 1309-2 as point locations on the
geo-reference base layer 1301, such as with a placemark icon 1303.
The system also displays an exchange line 1310 connecting the POD
(or point of release) 1309-1 and the point of exchange 1309-2. The
exchange line 1310 may be a straight line (as shown), or it may be
a series of lines (not shown) that follows the path or course of
the water body into which the water is released, and from thence to
the point of exchange. The system may also display any of the water
right data for the underlying water right for the exchange. The
water right exchanges displayed in the search area may include any
exchange having either a point of release or a point of exchange in
the search area 1302, or both. As with POD changes, the system is
configured to allow the user to select which water right exchanges
are displayed in the search area 1302.
[0088] When a user has performed a current water search to view the
current parameters of water rights within the search area, the
system displays and presents only the current parameters, such as
the current PODs, POUs, and types of use, as described herein. To
do this, the system identifies as relevant water rights only those
water rights that have a "valid" status from the water rights
agency. "Valid" means that the water right still exists, and is
evidenced by water rights data related to status or the basis of
the water right, such as but not limited to certificated, approved,
decreed, water users claim, underground water users claim, etc.
Invalid statuses, by way of example, include but are not limited to
expired, lapsed, forfeited, destroyed, renumbered, withdrawn, and
unapproved. For water rights that are valid, the current parameters
are determined by first identifying the parameters of the original
water creation document or application. In jurisdictions in which
changes to the parameters (e.g. changes in PODs, POUs, etc.) are
incremental, each subsequent application modifies and builds on the
immediately prior application, and the changes can simply be added
in order of decision date until the current result is obtained. In
jurisdictions in which changes are not incremental, such as Utah,
the current parameters are determined from the most recent (by
decision date) application that is approved and valid. In one
embodiment, the current parameters are determined when a user
performs a current water search. In another embodiment, the current
parameters are determined each time the water rights analysis
system obtains water rights data from the water rights agency
database, and stores the current parameters in the system's water
rights database.
[0089] In another embodiment, as shown in user interface 1400
depicted in FIG. 14, a total status bar 1430 is provided on the
user's display, showing the percentage of all POD changes displayed
in the search area 1402 that were approved, rejected, not yet
determined, or other (lapsed, withdrawn, etc.). The status bar 1430
represents the overall status of the change applications
represented by change lines 1410 (e.g., change lines 1410-1 through
1410-4) displayed in the search area. Thus, as a user selectively
removes or hides change lines 1410 from view on geo-reference base
layer 1401, the status bar 1430 changes accordingly. The status bar
1430 provides the unique benefit of giving the user a quick
overview of the overall approval rate of all change applications
within a given geographic area. The user may use this to determine
the likelihood that a new change application within the same area
would be approved by the water rights agency. Without the use of
this system and tool, a user would have to spend countless hours
manually researching and identifying all change applications within
the area and manually determining their relevance to the desired
search.
[0090] A water right's history may also be displayed in the search
results geo-reference layer. In one embodiment, a list of all
applications related to a water right (such as an application to
appropriate, all change applications, segregation applications,
exchange applications, and the like) may be displayed, as described
herein. The applications may be ordered by filing date, priority
date, or decision date. The listed applications may be selected by
the user to display the water rights data associated with the
selected application in the search results geo-reference layer. The
water rights data displayed may be color coded based on the
selected application, so as to distinguish the water rights data in
the search results geo-reference layer when two or more
applications have been selected.
[0091] In another embodiment, the water right's history may be
displayed in the geo-reference layer according to a time slider. A
user may drag a button on the time slider until it snaps into place
at various positions along the slider, each position representing a
related application on the date of the application (filing date,
priority date, decision date, etc.). For example, in one
embodiment, when the button on the slider is at the far right of
the slider, the water rights data displayed in the geo-reference
layer is the current water rights data. The slider may be moved by
the user to the left to snap to a position (date) representing the
date of an application related with the water right, such as the
date a change application was filed. At that position, the water
rights data displayed on the geo-reference layer is the heretofore
and hereafter water rights data associated with the application.
The system may be configured to display just the water rights data
for the application selected by the time slider, or it may display
all water rights data for all related applications with the
selected application emphasized such as by color coding, size of
display elements, or top layer positioning.
[0092] It should be understood that the geo-referenced display of
water rights data as described herein may also include different
combinations and variations of the different embodiments and forms
described herein, and that all such combinations and variations are
within the scope of the implementation and operation of the water
rights analysis system and method. In addition, the water rights
data displayed in the search results on the geo-reference base
layer is not limited to that data described herein, such as PODs,
POD changes, POU changes, and exchange applications, such being
merely exemplary, but may be any geo-referenced water rights
data.
[0093] FIG. 15 shows another form of displaying the search results.
In this embodiment, the relevant water rights data is displayed in
a non-geo-referenced format, such as a results table 1550. The
relevant water rights data displayed in this embodiment is the
water rights data associated with the water rights determined to be
relevant by the process described above for the geo-referenced
search results. In one embodiment, the search results are displayed
in the table in a row and column format, with the water right data
for each individual water right in one row. The water rights data
comprising the separate columns may be any water rights data
available in the water rights databases, or derived therefrom,
including, but not limited to, the water right number, owner name,
status, priority date, number PODs (both heretofore and hereafter),
POU, address, parcel number, nature of use, direction of a POD or
POU change.
[0094] The user may customize the results table 1550 in different
ways. In one embodiment, the user may add and remove columns 1554
in the table, in order to select the desired water rights data
shown for each water right. In another embodiment, the user may
sort the columns 1554 to list the water rights in some type of
sequential order. For example, the user may sort the table 1550
based on the application filing date column 1554-1, which would
display the rows 1552 of water rights in sequential order based on
filing date.
[0095] In another embodiment, the user may customize the search
results, both in the results table and in the geo-reference search
results, by applying filters to limit or narrow the range of water
rights data and water rights deemed relevant. The search results
may include a set of filters with buttons or boxes that may be
selected to apply the filter. For example, the system may include
filters for application decision status; the age of a decision on
an application (e.g. decisions less than 1 year, decisions within
last 5 years, etc.); the nature of the heretofore and/or hereafter
use of water; perfected water rights; type of change application
(permanent, temporary, amendatory, etc.); quantity of the water
right change (in volume or flow rate); number of protests;
extension applications, non-use application, forfeiture or pending
forfeiture, current adjudication, current litigation, and the like.
Selecting and applying filters will remove or hide water rights
data that does not meet the filter criteria from the geo-reference
layer search results. However, water rights data that does not meet
the filter criteria is not deleted from the results table, but
instead may be "unchecked," indicating that the water right does
not satisfy all criteria. In this way, the user may fully customize
the water rights search to identify and pinpoint the data and
information that is most relevant and useful to the user. The
customizable search results allows the system to display water
rights data for water rights that share similar attributes to an
existing or proposed water right to be analyzed by the user. Such
attributes may include geographic location and details such as
distance, PODs, use types, directions of changes, and the like.
[0096] In another embodiment, the user may customize the water
rights data displayed on the geo-reference base layer in two
different ways. In the first, as explained above, the user may
click on the geo-referenced data, such as POD icon and change line,
to remove it or hide it from the geo-reference display, which will
also uncheck it in the table search results. In the second, the
user may uncheck the water rights data in the table, which will
have the effect of removing or hiding the geo-referenced water
rights data from the geo-reference base layer.
[0097] The system is also configured to allow the user to
reconfigure the search area as well as arrange and filter the
search results table output at any time after search results have
been displayed to the user. In this way the user can customize and
refine the search and search results to achieve the desired
information relevant to the user's problem.
[0098] For each search performed by a user, the system may also be
configured to save the user's search in the system database, such
as filters applied, the search area size and location, the display
types, columns selected, water rights displayed or checked, to
allow the user to retrieve the information or return to the same
place during a later session. The system is also configured to
allow the user to deliver the search results to other output
devices, such as to a printer, or to another device via a network
connection, or in a different format, such as PDF, spreadsheet,
HTML, and the like. In one embodiment, the user may print the
visual search results, the table search output, or both. In another
embodiment, the user may email the visual search results, the table
search results output, or both.
[0099] The water rights analysis system and methods described
herein provides a unique and powerful tool for analyzing water
rights that otherwise is not available with prior art systems.
Displaying interactive change lines provides a new way of
visualizing change applications, and physically shows what is
happening with a change. Because the system is capable of
displaying all change lines within a selected search area, the
interactive system shows physical water rights changes and trends.
For example, it shows the direction in which water rights are being
moved, as well as the approval rate for water rights. A wealth of
information is now available to a user through this system in just
a few seconds, whereas a user would have had to spend hours combing
through individual water rights records to identify trends in POD
change directions, locations, and approvals.
[0100] In addition, the water rights analysis system provides an
actual interactive access portal to water rights information at a
water rights agency desired by a user. For example, if a water user
wishes to locate all Utah state engineer orders denying change
applications within a certain geographic region of the state, a
user may now access that data in a manner of seconds. By using the
system, the user may view all denied change applications within
that desired region, and then follow the hyperlinks directly to the
Utah state engineer records, including orders and records of
decisions, for those water rights. Without the benefit of this
water rights system, obtaining such information would be akin to
finding the needle in a haystack.
[0101] The system is more robust than current water rights agency
databases because it allows the user to create the results the user
desires based on the filters applied, and obtain all relevant
information without a complicated, time-consuming search. It may be
said that the system operates as a water rights "search engine" by
allowing the user to obtain all relevant water rights records and
information in a matter of seconds. Such is not possible with
current systems. The geo-reference layer, which is a map or aerial
photo, and table allow the user to identify trends in water rights
administration and use that information in water management and
planning.
* * * * *