2003

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 2003
• Author: U.S. Department of the Interior.
• Title: Quality of Water, Colorado River Basin.
• USFW Year: 1985.
• USFW - Doc Type: Progress Report No. 12,
• Copyright Material: NO

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PART VII. COLORADO RIVER SALINITY
CONTROL PROGRAM

Title I of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act, Public
Law 93-320, authorized the Secretary of the Interior to proceed with a
program of works of improvement for the enhancement and protection of
the quality of water available in the Colorado River for use in the
United States and the Republic of Mexico. Tltle I enables the United
States to comply with its obligation under the agreement with Mexico of
August 30, 1973 (Minute No. 242 of the International Boundary and Water
Commission, United States and Mexico), which was concluded pursuant to
the Treaty of February 3, 1944 (TS 994).

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Title II of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act, Public
Law 93-320, of June 24, 1974, as amended by Public Law 98-569 of Octo-
ber 30, 1984, directs the Secretary of the Interior, commencing on
January 1, 1975, and every 2 years thereafter, to submit simultaneously
to the President, the Congress, and the Advisory Council, a report on
the Colorado River Salinity Control Program covering the progress of
investigation, planning, and construction of salinity control units for
the 2 previous fiscal years. The report is to include the effectiveness
of the units, anticipated work to be accomplished to meet the objectives
of Title II with emphasis on the needs during the 5 years immediately
following the date of each report, and any special problems that may be
impeding progress in attaining an effective salinity control program.
Title II also provides that this report may be included in the Quality
of Water, Colorado River Basin Biennial Progress Report.

Figure 2 shows the location of the project study areas for both the
Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture. Table C
summarizes the salt load reduction potential for each of the Title II
salinity control measures summarized in this chapter. Figures 3 and 4
show a comparison of salt load reductions and cost effectiveness for
each of these projects. Part VIII discusses the impact of these control
measures on salinity in the Colorado River.

A. Bureau of Reclamation Programs

Most of the planning delays and changes in project concept or scope
can be related to the inherent complexities and unknowns encountered in
the saline ground water systems found in all source areas. Unlike other
conventional water programs, a learning curve must be applied to salin-
ity control in applying corrective actions to offset earlier "trial and
error" investigations. Thus, concern has been expressed over program
delays, downgrading salinity impacts, and higher costs; however, the net
effect of the delays and changes should be to improve the technical con-
fidence in the program.

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In order to minimize risk, staging of project features is being
encouraged for several units. Staging allows additional time to monitor

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