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10 IV. STATUS OF WATER AND RELATED LAND RESOURCE PROGRAMS A number of studies, demonstration projects and programs have been implemented to improve agricultural production in the Lower Gunnison Basin Unit. Drainage projects in the lov,er Uncompahgre Valley have required a specific group effort since the initiation of irrigation in the valley. Recently, emphasis has shifted to recognizing that sal inity problems of the Lower Gunnison Basin Unit markedly affect wacer qual ity downstream, and programs have been initiated to study means of reducing salt loading as well as increasing agricultural production, Studies by the U.S. Geological Survey contained in the lorns report (1965), and the Environmental Protectiun Agency (1971) set the stage for the present emphasis on salinity control, The USBR Colorado River Water Qual ity Improvement Program provides a framel'Jork for the specific areas to be studied. The studies on the Grand Valley, immediately downstream, provide a great deal of methodology and specific information for use in planning an improvement program for the Lower Gunnison Basin Unit. USDA Programs and Projects Agricultural Research Service Agricul tural Research Service (ARS) studies wi 11 resul t in determina- tions of seepage losses from canal reaches and determine deep percola- tion losses from on-farm water appl ication. This agency is examining the mechanisms by which the salt load of return flow water is modified after it leaves the farm unit and moves toward the Colorado River, Also being studied by ARS are the mechanism of ground water flow to the river and usefulness of the ratio 'of calcium/magnesium as a tracer to appor- tion mixed waters as to their source, If practicable, this method will be used to evaluate the sources of surface drain effluent. The effec- tiveness of small, frequent irrigations to reduce the leaching fraction (and therefore, reduce ground water flow) and to encourage harmless precipitation of salts is being studied by ARS near Fruita, Colorado. Information from these studies in the Grand Val ley wil 1 be appl icable to the Lower Gunnison Basin Unit. Agricultural Stabil ization & Conservation Service Agricultural Conservation Program cost-sharing payments have assisted farmers and ranchers in instal I ing many needed conservation measures on their individual units. While this program currently has 1 imited funding, it may provide assistance to operators for install ing needed structural measures. 003059