9318

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9318
• Author: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Title: Procedures for Stocking Nonnative Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin.
• USFW Year: 1996.
• USFW - Doc Type: Denver.
• Copyright Material: NO

b. Lower Gunnison Basin, Colorado -This is the largest of the USDA
salinity control units and is located in Delta and Montrose counties. Implementation
was initiated in 1988 on this unit. The application of salinity reduction and wildlife
habitat replacement practices continues to be an integral part of implementation of
the Lower Gunnison Unit. The major practices are underground pipelines, ditch
lining, land leveling, irrigation water control structures, gated pipe, and sprinkler and
surge irrigation systems.
c. McElmo Creek, Colorado -Implementation was initiated on this
unit in 1990. Application of salinity reduction and wildlife habitat replacement
practices continues to be implemented in this area with sprinkler systems,
underground pipelines and gated pipe being installed. Development and use of
automatic shutoff valves for sprinkler systems continue to be widely implemented
in the project to achieve water management.
d. Uintah Basin, Utah -Implementation began on this unit in 1980.
The rate of applying salinity reduction and wildlife habitat replacement practices
continues to increase. The major practices installed are sprinkler irrigation systems,
improved surface systems, underground pipelines and gated pipe. In this area, a
large number of groups are replacing earthen laterals with pipelines to provide
gravity pressure for onfarm sprinkler systems. Demonstration plot activities
continued on Ute Indian tribal land to illustrate the benefits of sprinkler irrigation;
teach principles of irrigation scheduling; and provide data on crop variations, yields
and costs to determine fair market lease agreements. Special emphasis is being
placed on working with individual farmers on principles of irrigation water
management.
e. Big Sandy River, Wyoming -Implementation has been underway
on this unit since 1988. The application of salinity reduction and wildlife habitat
replacement practices continues to be implemented. In this area, farmers are
converting from surface flood irrigation to primarily low-pressure center pivot
irrigation systems for salinity control.
f. Price-San Rafael, Utah -The ROD was issued in April 1997 for this
project. Reclamation and the USDA began work in the project area in fiscal year
1998. USDA salinity activities will be done under the Environmental Quality
Incentives Program.
g. San Juan River, New Mexico - A salinity investigation has been
completed on irrigated lands along the San Juan River in New Mexico from the
vicinity of Fruitland, westward to Cudei. This area consists of approximately 8,400
irrigated acres within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation. Findings from the
investigation were published in a verification report in July 1993. The findings
indicated that irrigation on the unit is contributing to increased salt loading in the
San Juan River which ultimately flows into the Colorado River. It is recommended
that the unit be studied further to produce an irrigation plan that will reduce
irrigation return flow and salt loading to the San Juan River. No further progress
was made in fiscal year 1998 on any planning activities in this potential project area
due to the functions of the Colorado River Salinity Control Program being combined
into the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.
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