WSP08472

• File Number: 8270.100
• Description: Colorado River Basin Water Quality/Salinity -- Misc Water Quality
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 2/1/1972
• Title: Colorado River Water Quality Improvement Program - February 1972
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Project Overview

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~ Feasibility studies would be initially performed on a total of
"-1
Ul 16 irrigation, point, and diffuse salinity sources with related

basin-wide planning involving development of a mathematical model

of the Colorado River, economic analysis of water quality, analysis

of legal and institutional matters, and the investigation of poten-

tials for improving water quality at points of diversion.

Early emphasis is being placed on those activities most likely to

achieve water quality improvement at least cost. Construction of a

mathematical model may reveal better ways to operate the river system

to generate water quality benefits without incurring capital invest-

ment costs for structural control measures. Irrigation source control,

involving close integration of on-farm irrigation water scheduling and

management, with water systems improvement and management, is expected

to significantly reduce salt loadings. Some measuring devices may be

required to implement the irrigation scheduling and management program

which is now being implemented. This can be expected to achieve early

benefi ts at minimal cos t .

Following the full operational establishment of the irrigation sched-

uling activity, water users would be expected to operate the program.
This could be contractually tied to water systems improvements and the

related cost-sharing arrangements with the irrigation districts or

other entities involved. The irrigation scheduling and water systems

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