WSP08397

• File Number: 8276.300
• Description: Lower Gunnison Basin Unit - Colorado River Salinity Control Program
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 4
• Date: 3/1/1981
• Title: Lower Gunnison Basin Unit/ Colorado - Status Report
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

canals, problems are experienced with the lining and very high mainten-

ance costs occur. The OM&R contract will recognize the winter stock

water issue as a management responsibility of the Uncompahgre Valley

Water Users Association and not a project responsibility.

Estimated Costs

Construction costs of the Lower Gunnison Basin Unit are based on

feasibility designs and have been updated to reflect January 1981

prices. The costs reflect the assumption that winter stock water would

not be conveyed in project-lined canals. A sUDDDary of estimated costs is

presented below:

Construction costs (January 1981
Canal lining and improvement
Lateral improvement
wildlife plan
Total

prices)
$63,350,000
68,600,000
4,750,000
136,700,000

OM&R costs would consist of personnel (salary and wages), electric

power consumption, replacement parts, supplies and materials, equipment

operation, and administrative and general expense.

The estimated annual cost in 1981 for OM&R for the portion of the

irrigation delivery system which would be lined is $570,000, which is the

same as would have been incurred without lining. However, with lining,

future costs are expected to increase at a slower rate than in the past.

An initial one-time investment of $140,000 for new maintenance equipment

for lined canals is included as a part of project capital costs. OM&R

costs will continue to be paid by the existing water users.

Cost-Effectiveness and Repayment

The annual cost for each mg/L of salinity reduction 1n the Colorado

River that would result from construction of the Lower GubhQJbJ3~~n

Unit is estimated at $846,000 based upon an annual equivalent cost of

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