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<br /> <br />N <br />-...t. <br />CO'." <br />co . <br />. . <br /> <br />SECTION 1 <br /> <br />INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />OBJECTIVES OF STUDY <br /> <br />Controlling salinity in a major river basin is a difficult <br />task becau$e of the mixture of diffuse and point sources of <br />salinity, Generally, the best practicable solution lies in <br />combining the strong features of several control measures and <br />applying each to the conditions for which it is best suited. <br />Salinity control technology in this regard remains to be de- <br />veloped since few investigations have managed to integrate the <br />alternatives, Probably the area needing first priority is the <br />combined use of desalting and irrigation return flow quality <br />control. In an irrigated area, for example, traditional salinity <br />control measures include canal and lateral linings along with <br />improved irrigation practices such as irrigation scheduling. <br />Neverthe1e$s, treatment of the agricultural system does not <br />completely alleviate local salinity problems because only the <br />salt pickup component of salinity can be reduced. By considering <br />desalination, a total salinity control program is possible by <br />removing salts being transported through the irrigated system <br />thus, creating even more than a "zero discharge" capability. <br />Desalting should therefore be considered in not only controlling <br />the quality of irrigation return flows, but also controlling <br />salinity from mineralized springs, seeps or highly saline <br />groundwater. <br /> <br />The objective of this study was to develop an analytical <br />procedure for optimizing salinity control strategies in salinity <br />affected areas by integrating desalting measures, As a case <br />study for verification of the analysis, the main stem of the <br />Colorado River extending from the Colorado-Utah border to its <br />headwaters will be examined. This reach of the river includes <br />the Grand Valley where considerable agricultural related research <br />has either been concluded or is underway on various salinity <br />control measures. In addition, G1enwood Springs which adds more <br />than 300,000 tons of salt annually to the river and several <br />anticipated important energy and urban water developments which <br />are expect~d to create significant salinity increases in the <br />river are also in this region. It is, therefore, a prime area <br />for developing such an analysis. In this regard, the specific <br />objectives were: <br /> <br />1 <br /> <br />