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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II PREVIOUS STUDIES AND FINDINGS

The program for controlling salinity in the Colorado River has

evolved from prior studies. Those of most relevance to the pro-

gram were performed by the U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of

Reclamation, Environmental Protection Agency (and its predecessor

agencies), Water Resources Council, Colorado River Board of

California, and Utah State University.

The USGS studies were of the definition type. '(hey trace historic

salinity levels, estimate salt loading from specific sources, and

identify salt contribution from various river reaches. The Bureau

of Reclamation studies report on the past, present modified, and

future water quality conditions in the basin. The effects of salin-

ity on water uses and potentials for salinity control are discussed.

The EPA study describes salinity conditions in the basin, evaluates

the nature and magnitude of damages to water users, examines alterna-

tive salinity control measures, and provides recommended measures and

programs for control of the salinity levels. The Colorado River Board

of California also defined the nature and magnitude of the problem

and presented a plan for controlling the salinity at or near present

levels. The Water Resources Council Task Forces drew heavily on the

prior studies and developed estimates of future salinity conditions

and identified potential control measures. Utah State University