WSP08594

• File Number: 8041
• Description: Section D General Studies - NPDES/Water Quality
• State: CO
• Basin: Gunnison
• Water Division: 4
• Date: 10/1/2001
• Author: Dept of Int, NIWQP
• Title: Water Quality - Gunnison Basin Selenium Task Force Correspondence - Selenium Update for Colorados Lower Gunnison River Basin and Grand Valley - Newsletter No. 5
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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Activities in the Lower Gunnison Basin

.~ Loutzenhizer Arroyo PAM Demonstration Project

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The Gunnison River Basin Selenium
Task Force (GRBSTF) and NIWQP
continued work in 2002 on a plan
aimed at reducing selenium
concentrations in the lower Gunnison
River and Uncompahgre Riverta meet
"'Bter quality standards and benefit
aquatic species including endangered
Colorado River fish. This plan is being
designed 10 lit with the GRBSTF goal
of maintaining the "economic viability
and life-st~ Ie" of the basin. It will likely
include measures 10 reduce seepage
from ponds and irrigation canals and
ditches (laterals), and reduce deep
percolation resulting from on-farm.
municipal. and residential \\ater use.

As pan of the evaluations of \\ hat
measures might he cost effecti\ c, a
number of demonstration projecls ha\ c
been started or are being proposed b)
GRBSTF members and olhers. The.;;e
include:
. applying PAM (polyacrylamide) 10
irrigation canals and laterals to reduce
seepage (undc(\\a))
. lining farm and residenlial ponds
(unde(\\ay)

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. inslallingcenter pivol sprinl-.:ler irrigation
systems (proposed)
. applying Hydrogel in faml fields to
increase waleruse efficiency (underway)

NIWQP's studies of the use of
polyacrlymide (PAM) to seal canals and
laterals continued in 1002 under a
cooperative effort with the Uncompahgre
Valley Walcr Users Associalion and Ihe
Bureau of Reclamation's Water
Management & Conservation Prog.ram.
Prcliminary results indicale that the use
of PAM seems to be reducing selenium
loads in l.outzenhi7.cr Arroyo and Ihe
Sunflm\er Drain. The pOlential for
v.idespn.'ad regularuseofPA~1 hasraiscd
concerns aboUI possible em'ironmcnlal
effects. because there is limited
information aoout the transport and fate
of PAM in Ihe em'ironmenl. In 1001.
NIWQP collected information in areas
treated v. ith PAM to determine the fate
and ITansportofPAM used in Loutzenhizcr
Arroyo. Lab results are still pending.
Results detailing the effect of PAM on
reducing selenium and salt discharges and
v.hat was found abouI the lransport of
PAM \\ill be reponed in fulure issues of
Page 3

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MoMorong S<<"

Can.m & lilt...al~
To Be Tf.iI!ed

this newsletter.
Even while studies are continuing.
some selenium reduction projects
are being implemented. One of
these is aimed at reducing
contributions from existing and nev.
nonagricultural water uses such as
golf courses. seplic systems, ponds,
and small acreage home sites. The
GRBSTF has received a state grant
to develop Best Management
Practices (HMPs) to address these
sourCes and 10 provide that
information to the c()mmunity.

Additionally. a major dent in the
selenium problem may be made
Ihrough local efforts 10 obtain
funding lopipe irrigation laterals east
of Ihe Uncompahgre Ri\'er.
Cong.ress has approved $750.000 to
be used in 2003 10 pipe-those laterals
\\ hich are a significant source of
selenium loading in some of the
"holtesf' areas of the nlley.
Additional funding: from Ihe
Colorado Ri\'er Basin Salinil)
Control Program will also be
pursued.