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approximately 84 miles of subsurface tile drains and 107 miles of surface drainage wasteways in the <br /> lower valley. The study will also look at potentially redesigning this drainage infrastructure to better <br /> meet current water table conditions, irrigation practices and future growth. The proposed study is an <br /> excellent compliment to on-going salinity research in the Lower Arkansas Valley designed to refine and <br /> diagnose problems and workable solutions.3 <br /> Updated information is needed on the exact location and performance of this extensive 90 year- <br /> old drainage system. In addition,efforts will be made to determine how the annual operation and <br /> maintenance of this drainage system can be improved organizationally. The study will assist the many <br /> small drainage districts in the Lower Arkansas Valley in exploring a more consolidated operation and <br /> maintenance program,perhaps one large drainage authority,to make better use of modern technologies <br /> and economies of scale in their annual O&M program. This may potentially involve the participation of <br /> local municipalities in the Lower Arkansas Valley, since proper drainage of irrigated lands has a bearing <br /> on municipal approaches to flood control and residential and commercial development. <br /> Colorado Water Conservation Board construction loans to improve drainage district infrastructure <br /> in the Lower Arkansas Valley and other areas of Colorado are believed to be appropriate as an <br /> agricultural water supply system and capital improvement activity. However,in order to determine the <br /> level of funding that might be required to improve drainage in the Lower Arkansas Valley,the proposed <br /> study on drainage performance,economic cost-benefit analysis,and organizational analysis will be <br /> necessary. The proposed research team is well-qualified to conduct this study. <br /> BACKGROUND <br /> The Lower Arkansas Valley is undergoing major economic and social changes primarily due to <br /> declining water supplies in the valley. These declining water supplies are due largely to Colorado Front <br /> Range municipal purchases of canal company stock in major canal systems in the lower valley. <br /> Nevertheless, and seemingly in contradiction to this fact,the Lower Arkansas Valley frequently <br /> experiences localized flooding due to poor drainage of irrigated lands during wet weather cycles. <br /> On the positive side,the City of Lamar,with a population of about 9,000 is located at the junction <br /> of two proposed interstate highway expansion projects that will improve commerce linkages among trade <br /> areas in the High Plains. Nearly 2,000 semi-trailers currently pass through the City of Lamar daily. <br /> Employment in the production,transportation and material receiving occupations associated with this <br /> trucking has grown significantly in recent years,along with other occupations. Meanwhile,La Junta <br /> (pop. 7,600)and other communities in the Lower Arkansas Valley continue to attract new investment. <br /> New rural subdivision development is noticeably occurring in selected areas of the Lower Arkansas <br /> Valley. <br /> Although farming comprises only 6.8 percent of surrounding Prowers County employment,the <br /> agricultural sector as a whole has shown a modest increase in employment recently.4 Although new <br /> industries are planned for the area,improvements in agricultural productivity and water management will <br /> be essential to commercial development in the lower valley for some time to come. This highlights the <br /> importance of ensuring proper drainage of irrigated lands for both agricultural production and commercial <br /> and residential growth. <br /> 3 Gates,et al.(2002) <br /> 4 http://dola.colorado.gov/demog/employ/Empgcod2.cfm <br /> 2 <br />