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to groundwater, returning some drainage flows from the Yuma Mesa Conduit to the Yuma Valley Drainage System and thence to the boundary pumping plant at the Southerly International Boundary with Mexico, and ensuring that no additional drainage water from the MODE will be spilled to the Colorado River this calendar year. This action is required as several Yuma Valley Drainage wells that used to discharge to the SIB have been connected to the Yuma Mesa Conduit, causing salinity levels at the NIB to increase as the quantity of drainage inflow to the Colorado River above NIB increases. At the same time, better quality water has been arriving at Imperial Dam since CY 2000. These two issues combined together are currently resulting in a forecast salinity differential near the maximum allowed under Minute 242. Located at the Yuma Desalting Plant is a research facility known as the Water Quality Improvement Center (WQIC). The primary role of the WQIC is to fmd ways to reduce operating costs of the YDP. To do this, Reclamation personnel who work in the WQIC investigate new technologies and processes, and explore improvements in operational and maintenance efficiencies. The WQIC also serves as a key component in Reclamation's Technology Transfer program - hosting third party research to enhance the spread of publicly-developed water treatment technology into private industry. This program serves Reclamation in two ways: it reduces the overall cost ofYDP cost- reduction research by attracting outside parties pursuing similar interests; and it helps guarantee additional water supplies by supporting the proliferation of water-stretching treatment technology throughout the U.S. In addition, the WQIC serves as the primary water provider to the Yuma Area Office. The facility purifies about one million gallons per day of either drainage water delivered either from the MODE, groundwater pumped from an on-site well, or Colorado River water. The WQIC will continue to operate during calendar year 2003. Colorado River Channel Aggradation Below Gila River Confluence The 1993 Gila River flood deposited approximately 10 million cubic yards of sediment in the Colorado River between its confluence with the Gila and Morelos Dam. An additional unspecified volume of sediment was deposited in the river channel below Morelos Dam. The aggradation of the channel has substantially reduced the river's capability to carry flood flows, to act as a drain for groundwater, and has occasionally caused operational problems with the delivery of Treaty water to Mexico at Morelos Dam. The Yuma Area Office developed a project proposal to address the aggradation problems in cooperation with local irrigation districts, the IBWC, Native American Tribes, local environmental organizations, local governments, and other state and federal agencies. The overall project has been developed in phases. Phase 1 of the project was completed in late 1997 so the channel below Morelos Dam could accommodate flood control releases from Hoover Dam during the winters of 1997 and 1998. Phase 1 consisted of limited clearing of a flow path in the channel below Morelos Dam, and realignment of the channel upstream of Yuma at River Mile 31, where the levee was in danger of being breached during high flows. Phase 2 of the project began in September 1999. Phase 2 consisted of dredging a sediment basin in the river channel immediately upstream of Morel os Dam to a location about one mile above the NIB. December 13,2002 20