WSP11428

• File Number: 8041
• Description: Section D General Studies - NPDES/Water Quality
• State: CO
• Basin: Gunnison
• Water Division: 4
• Date: 12/1/1999
• Author: Dept of Int, NIWQP
• Title: Water Quality - Gunnison Basin Selenium Task Force Correspondence - Selenium Update for Colorados Lower Gunnison River Basin and Grand Valley - Newsletter No. 4
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

Using PAM to Reduce selen~
Loads

Water leaking from irrigation canals and
laterals contributes to shallow ground-water
and is a significant source of selenium
loading to rivers and streams in the lower
Gunnison River Basin and the Grand Valley.
This ground water picks up selenium and
salts and, in places, comes to the surface in
drains or streams that are tributary to rivers in
the area. A new approach to reduce seepage
from canals and laterals is to use a product
commonly known as polyacrylmide (PAM).
PAM is commonly used by irrigators to
improve flow in furrows and to minimize soil
erosion. Additionally, PAM is used in treating
domestic water to remove impurities. A white
crystalline solid, PAM can be applied as a
solution to a dry canal or lateral or by
injecting PAtv1 into canal watei. Sealing
occurs when the PAM adheres to particles of
water-borne sediment causing the sediment
to settle out and seal the canal bottom. PAM
has been used to seal canals in the

Uncompahgre Project in several localized
instances. Monitoring changes in salt and
selenium loads is part of a trial application of
PAM to canals and laterals in the Sunflower
Drain area (east of Delta), and for a future test
involving the sealing of up to 15 miles of canals
and laterals in the Loutzenhizer Arroyo drainage.
However, some concerns have been raised
about the effects PAM may have on streams and
rivers downstream. To address those concerns
,
a monitoring plan is being developed to detect
any movement of PAM associated with its
application in the Loutzenhizer Arroyo.
Information developed about the use of PAM to
reduce selenium loading will be reported in
various forums including future editions of this
newsletter.

For more information on any of the articles in
this newsletter or to provide comments,
please write or call Mike Baker, at the Bureau
of Reclamation, 2764 Compass Dnve, SUite
106, Grand Junction CO 81506.
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

U.S. Department of the Interior
National Irrigation Water Quality Program
2764 Compass Drive, Suite 106 RECEIVED
Grand Junction, CO 81506
OCT 15 2001

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C<>Io,.<lo Water COllServaUon Board

MR RANDY SEAHOLM

COLORADO WATER CONSERVATION BOARD
1313 SHERMAN STREET ROOM 721
DENVER CO 80203

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