WSP09501

• File Number: 8276.400
• Description: McElmo Creek Unit - Colorado River Salinity Control Program
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 7
• Date: 6/1/1983
• Title: Salinity Control by Canal Lining: The McElmo Creek Unit/ Colorado
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Project Overview

.

.

to Reclamation specifications and two check drop structures would be
added to maintain the existing elevation decrease. A cost was added
for gravel riprap lining.

DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM -- Preconstruction activities which include design
data collection, preparation of design estimates, and the completion of
a preconstruction planning report. Construction of the McElmo Creek
Unit would require three years subsequent to the completion of precon-
struction activities, and would require authorization and funding by
Congress. The Unit would be planned so that the MVI would operate on a
near normal basis while construction takes placea The Lone Pine and
Upper Hermana Laterals could be lined during three to four month peri-
ods during the non-irrigation season from October to May. The new
Highline Canal and the seven pipe laterals could be constructed
throughout the year since they would be completely new features.

SAFETY FEATURES -- Since the canals would be earth-lined, no fencing or
animal escape features were included in the cost estimates. Safety
nets would be used at the inlets to the siphons and drop structures.
No new fencing would be built except to replace fencing removed during
construction.

SIGNIFICANT PLANNING ISSUES

Following are several issues which surfaced during the formulation
of alternatives for the McElmo Creek Unit:

SAVED WATER -- Use of water prevented from seeping through lined or
combined sections of canals must not negate the benefits gained by the
plan. The MVI is willing to use their saved water in a way which will
not increase salinity if it is demonstrated that there is enough saved
water to warrant a different use. However, the MVI is a pragmatic or-
ganization waiting to be conviced that Reclamation's salinity control
program, combined with the operation of the Dolores Project, will save
the amount of water predicted.

RIGHTS-OF-WAY -- The Montezuma Valley Irrigation Company conveyance
system is located mostly on privately-owned land and the MVIC has
rights of access for monitoring and maintenance. The MVIC would ac-
quire right-of-way for the sections of canals to be lined and construc-
tion rights-of-way would deeded to the U.S. Government for the duration
of construction and then returned to the MVIC.

.

OPERATION, MAINTENANCE AND REPLACEMENT -- The Montezuma Valley Irriga-
tion Company would continue to operate and maintain the system and be
responsible for replacements. The MVIC and Reclamation would be re-
quired to enter into an agreement detailing proper operation and main-
tenance of the new facilities. A progressive O&M program would be nec-
essary for conti~ued seepage control. It is currently estimated that
operation and maintenance costs for the MVIC with or without the pro-
ject would not be significantly different and therefore no incremental
O&M costs due to the McElmo Creek Unit were considered.

TOTTEN RESEVOIR AND MCELMO CANYON RESIDENTS -- Totten Reservoir, owneQ01563
and operated by the MVI, regulates flows for the Rocky Ford Ditch. The

6

Roche and Davison