Database
The DBMS is the first of three fundamental technologies for consolidating, storing, and distributing data gathered as part of monitoring and research projects at GCMRC. Its purpose is to store all tabular and spatial data available in a logical and consistent framework using relational databases, allowing for the efficient referencing of all scientific data collected as part of GCMRC's mission. GCMRC uses the Oracle Database Management System (DBMS), a state-of-the-art data storage and delivery system that can function either as a centralized or distributed data base and incorporates a high degree of information technology integration. The DBMS program is currently working on bringing together years of disparate historical data collected by multiple entities located in databases across the southwest in an organized fashion and then deliver it transparently to stakeholders and researchers for decision making and modeling purposes. A key aspect of this work has been integrating Oracle's database management software with the Center's GIS data, so that all tabular data sets can be viewed and queried in a spatial context.
Improvements in the access and availability to both tabular and spatial stored in the Oracle DBMS have been implemented in recent years. This is evident in updates to GCMRC's IMS site and the development of a Water Flow & Elevation page. More improvements in the accessibility of the DBMS are planned for the near future.