The planning activities of local water distribution agencies are significant components of the local water resource system. The research examines these activities through the use of interviews with the planning agents in a sample of agency planners in a seven county region in Colorado. Planning activities are carried out in the local water agencies, but these activities tend to be short-range and are designed to deal with immediate problems of an operational nature. The communications system which links together the different actors relevant to local planning efforts is seemingly quite adequate to diffuse necessary information throughout the system. However, there is little evidence that this system operates to effectively coordinate the activities of the different agencies. The general water resource system of the area has developed around the needs and interests of the irrigation sector and it tends to reflect the concerns of this sector. (Author)