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I I I C) ~) ~ ~ I ~ ~ I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Water Related Problems: GROUP A PROBLEMS Problems for which detailed effects information will be developed and evaluated appear below. As previously mentioned the major water related problems in this problem area can be linked to problems associated with the Red River itself. The three major problems with the river are that: 1. The quality of Red River water is insufficient for most uses. 2. The depth of the river is insufficient for navigation. 3. Flooding and bank erosion cause financial losses to property owners. There are other problems primarily institutional in nature in- cluding the lack of an interstate agreement apportioning waters of the Red River and the responsibility of local interests providing spoil dikes when channel dredging is in operation. These problems are also identified in tables 1 and 2. Because of the high salinity content, dissolved solids, sedi- ment, herbicides and pesticides, water from the Red River is unsuit- able at low flow for irrigation and public supply without very ex- tensive treatment. However, high flows are not dependable. Since future demands on the small streams will exceed supply and because of the limited availability of good quality groundwater, the Red River will have to be considered the most logical source of supply. At present there are no figures attached to the cost to the economy of the area of the poor quality of Red River water. It most cer- tainly is a hinderance to the economy of the area making irrigation expensive in an area which has thousands of acres suitable for irrigation. The depth of the Red River is insufficient for commercial nav- igation and in many months is inaufficient to support recreational purauits. Water-way navigation along the Red River in ita present form is nonexistent. Studies have shown that the benefits from rendering the Red River navigable would exceed costs and prove beneficial to the economy of the region. Approximately 16 million dollars annually in navigation benefits have been forecaat for the parishes included in ASA 1107. Other benefits include about 1.7 million dollars in recreation benefita and about 5.2 million dollars in area development. These figurea can be viewed as losses to the area with the Red River in its preaent form. They do not, however, take into conaideration the costs involved in rendering the Red River a navigable stream. 35