WSP09382

• File Number: 8271.300
• Description: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program - General Information and Publications-Reports
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 8/1/1970
• Author: Wynn Walker
• Title: THESIS -- Hydro-Salinity Model of the Grand Valley
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

The Colorado River basin is located in the arid southwest region

of the United States where irrigation is the primary source of water

for agriculture. Since the basin is projected to reach full development

in the pear future, the increasing demands on the water resources

require either improved efficiency in the management and use of the

available supply or importation of new water supplies. The most

severe factor limiting the full development and utilization of the river

system is the increasing mineral pollution, or salinity. The Colorado

River,has alwasy been one of the most saline rivers in the country,

but the increasing use has resulted in about 50% salinity increase in

the lower basin within historic times. (6)*

In recent years, both

transbasin transfers and reservoir losses have contributed to the

salinity problem by depleting water from the basin which would other-

wise dilute the streamflows.

Salinity has too often been thought of as a local problem to be

solved with little or no consideration of its effect on other users down-

stream. In an irrig'l-ted agricultural area it is important to establish

*Numbers in parenthesis indicate references.