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..~ .u.l . . ....... ~ ~ o SPECIAL STUDIes (continued) Colorado River below Parker Dam Colorado River Indian Reservation Levee Drain near Parker Colorado River Indian Reservation Lower Main Drain near Parker Palo Verde Outfall Drain near Palo Verde Colorado River At Imperial Dam Samples/Week 1 1 1 1 28 Data from the Intensive Salinity Surveillance Program have been valusble in analyzing salt loads from the Palo Verde Irrigation District and the Colorado River Indian Reservation for the Water Quality Improve- ment Program, part of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Project - Title II. F. Irrigated Areas Studies have been made in several areas to determine irrigation effects on water quality. 1. Prediction of Minersl Quality of Irrigation Return Flow A cooperative study initiated in 1969 entitled "Predictions of ~ineral Quality of Irrigation Return Flows" ",as conducted by the Water and Power Resources Service and EPA to develop a technique for predicting the mineral quality of irrigation return flow. The means for accomplishing this is through the use of mathematical models and high speed computers. The mathematical model is primarily a mathematical fonnula or expression attempting to describe conditions encountered on an irrigation p't'ojec.t. The study utilizes data from existing irrigation projects in order' to verify the technique. The objective of the study was to use the model as a tool in predict- ing changes in capacity and the associated water quality distribution of the aquifer and also the quality distribution of the water as surface effluents from the system. The prediction of the system responses was compared with the historical data, both quantity and quality distributions as a measure of the reliablitiy of the model. Data from the Vernal Unit of the Central Utah Project have been used for designing and testing the model. Tests were also made using data from the Grand Valley area in Colorado and the Cedar Bluff Unit in Kansas. A detailed return flow quality model was also developed under contract ",ith the University of Arizona, and by the Water and Power Resources personnel over a period of about 5 years. This model provides a highly sophisticated and detailed simulation of salt and nutrient movement from the soil surface to a tile or open channel drainage system. This model can be interfaced with the conjunctive use model mentioned above to provide basinwide simulat ion capabi 1 i ties. Information concerning these models is included in final reports dated August 1977, (EPA-60012-77-179c and 17ge). 103