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<br /> <br /> <br />w <br />I\,;) <br />ce <br />::n <br /> <br />I INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />The waters of the Colorado River system serve ~illions of people <br /> <br />in many ways. It is a vital link in sustaining dties and farns. <br /> <br />mines and industry, recreational space and wildlife. and areas of <br /> <br />great aesthetic value to the Nation. The water is used for irri- <br /> <br />gating crops. producing ener~y. providing recreation. sustaining <br /> <br />cattle and wildlife. supporting industry, and supplying the common <br /> <br />daily needs of people for drinking, washing. bathing. cleaning, <br /> <br />heating. coolin~. watering lawns and gardens. protecting property. <br /> <br />and removin~ wastes. These many uses place varyinr, demands not <br /> <br />only on the quantity but alIa on the quality of water. In the <br /> <br />Colorado River. quanti ty and qua Ii ty are inseparable. TOJ:1orrow' 5 <br /> <br />needs are to be met by aurmenting quantity and improving quality. <br /> <br />The latter is the concern of this report and is to be regarded as <br /> <br />an integrated facet of an overall comprehensive basin management <br /> <br />plan for use and development of the water resources. <br /> <br />At its headwaters. the Colorado River has a total dissolved solids <br /> <br />concentration of SO mg/l !! or less. As the water moves downstream <br /> <br />through this vast arid region, there is a gradual increase in salinity <br /> <br />11 Refers to milligrams per liter. This unit is nearly equivalent to <br />parts per million (ppm) up to concentrations of 7,000 mr./l. <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />