WSP09910

• File Number: 8281.960
• Description: Colorado River Studies and Investigations -- Lower Colorado Comprehensive Framework Study
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 6/1/1971
• Title: Lower Colorado Region Comprehensive Framework Study -- Appendix XVIII - General Program and Alternatives
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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year 2020. Water resource-oriented programs need to be accelerated in
the future with respect to both planning and implementation if future
requirements are to be satisfied on a timely schedule. The basic long-
range objective is augmentation of the Region's water supplies in
sufficient increments to meet future water requirements and reduce
ground-water overdraft. It is recognized that a program of this
magnitude will probably require time, in the order of 20 years, to
implement. In the meantime, all possibili ties for lessening the effects
of the increasing water deficiencies must be explored.

The framework program includes expansion of water conservation and
management practices, more intensive water reuse, vegetative management
for increased water yields, and treatment of brackish water. Vegetative
management programs for increased water yield and water salvage programs
are expected to add over 500,000 acre-feet annually to the local water
supply by 2020. Further studies are needed to evaluate the potential
of untapped ground-water reserves in remote basins to provide an interim
water supply.

Implementation of the long-range program requires early initiation
of planning for importing water to the Region. Studies should be
included for evaluating the relB.'tive merits of aU potential means of
importatiqn. Implementation of a water import program should be
accomplished by year 1990 to provide about 2.25 million acre-feet.
This should be increased to 4.15 million acre-feet by year 2020. The
initial stage of the importation program would include the national
commitment 11 to relieve the Colorado River Basin States of the
Mexican Treaty burden. estimated to be 1.8 million acre-feet annually
including associated losses.

Table.A-l provides a summary of the present and projected water
requirements and supplies.

Water Quality

Maintenance of an acceptable level of water quality is vital to
the economy, environment, and general well-being of the people of the
Region. Presently deficient water supplies and the probable cost of
future imported water dictates maximum water utilization, including
recycling, with little or no allowance for transporting salts or waste
loads from the Region. The water quality program includes waste treat-
ment facilities for urban centers, treatment of water from saline sources,
and major water reuse facilities. Augmentation of the Colorado River

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90th Congress, Public Law 90-537, An Act to Authorize . . . the
Colorado Hiver Basin Project. . . , September 1968.