WSP12152

• File Number: 8273.800.10
• Description: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control - Federal Agencies - Joint Reports
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 12/1/1989
• Title: 1989 Joint Evaluation of Salinity Control Programs in the Colorado River Basin
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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C.') Uncompahgre Project Retrofit Study.-
W During fiscal year 1989, an appraisal-level
N study was conducted to evaluate the concept
of allocating the costs associated with
extensive improvements to the
Uncompahgre Project canal system to the
salinity control program, a reimbursable
Rehabilitation and Betterment (R&B)
program, and the re-use of salvaged water.
The study examined the feasibility oflining
earth canals and laterals and replacing
deteriorated canal and lateral structures.
Construction cost estimates were developed
based on the Uncompahgre Valley Water
Users Association (Association) assuming
responsibility for construction performance,
management, and administration.

The appraisal report, scheduled for com-
pletion in the fall of 1989, will serve as a
decision document to indicate whether a
planning reportJenvironmental statement
should be undertaken, The plans would
involve reducing seepage losses by up to
56,000 acre.feet annually which could
reduce salt contributions to the Colorado
River by up to 114,000 tons per year, The
report will demonstrate potential cost
allocations and provide an indication of the
viability of the concept,

USDA

This was the second year of CRSC cost-
share funding for USDA contracts with
individuals and groups. During the year
14 CRSC contracts were signed obligating
approximately $510,000. This makes a total
of 17 contracts signed since the project
started, All CRSC contract funds were
obligated during the year and 18 plans
requiring over $800,000 were prepared and
are awaiting funding in fiscal year 1990,

DUl-ing the year 5.1 miles of pipeline and
concrete-lined ditch were installed along
with other salinity reduction practices such
as surge irrigation, gated pipe, and

structures for water control. Technical
assistance on irrigation water management
was also provided to all participants. The
practices installed to date accounted for a
salt load reduction of approximately
700 tons per year.

An SCS wildlife biologist is located in the
project and devotes full time to assisting
with the planning, installation, and
tracking of wildlife habitat practices. To
date, 31 percent of the salinity control
contracts prepared include the voluntary
application of wildlife habitat practices. An
SCS wildlife biologist position has been
established in the Montrose field office to
provide assistance on wildlife habitat
replacement program in the Lower
Gunnison #2 (Montrose County) project
area. The biologist has been selected and
will be on duty in December 1989.

A full-time Irrigation Extension Agent is
located in the Delta USDA Service Center,
He provides information, education, and
technical assistance for implementation of
the salinity control program. During the
year, a Lower Gunnison CRSC program
brochure was prepared, a sprinkler irriga-
tion workshop was held, and a surge and
cablegation field day held, In addition,
cablegation and surge irrigation demon-
stration sites were installed and data
collected to verify salt load reduction.

Moapa Valley l Nevada - USDA

8C8 began preparation of the Moapa Valley
salinity control program draft EIS during
the year. It is scheduled for release in 1990.
Communications have been established
with other agencies and various field data
are being collected. The 1989 Nevada
Legislature appropriated $500,000 for
program implementation, on the condition
of matching funds from both Clarke County
and the Muddy Valley Irrigation Company,

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