WSP09675

• File Number: 8041
• Description: 208 Clean Water Grant
• State: CO
• Date: 8/16/1982
• Author: CWCB
• Title: Quarterly Reports on the 208 Clean Water Grant for the Water Quality Control Division of the Coloradio Dept of Health
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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l 3756
Whereas the BuRec estimate for natural runoff contribution
is inconsistently low, the BLM estimate of 349,000 tons per year
appears high. The EPA (33,000 tons/year), USGS (80,000
tons/year) and SCS (80,000 tons/year) are much closer to agreeing
on the significance of natural sources of salt loading in the
subbasin.

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Relative to other Colorado River subbasins in Colorado, the
effect of man's activities in the Grand valley Subbasin is much
more prominent. All salt loading information refers to the
irrigation of Mancos Shale derived soils in the Grand Valley as
the most serious problem to the area.

GUNNISON SUBBASIN

The Gunnison River Basin encompasses an area of 8,020 square
miles located in west-central Colorado. The Continental Divide
forms the east and southeast boundary of the Basin and the San
Juan Mountains and Uncompahgre Plateau form the south and
southwest boundary. The Basin is bounded on the north by the Elk
Mountains and the Grand Mesa and on the northwest by the Grand
Valley. Elevations vary from 4,550 feet to 14,300 feet above sea
level.

The major use of water in the Basin is for the irrigation of
269,000 acres of land (Bureau of Census 1957). Ninety-five
percent of the basin land is used for grazing and timber
production, watershed, and recreation purposes. The 1980
population was estimated at approximately 49,000.

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