Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Pin ct "I, August 2001.. Replacing the Bypass Flow On The Colorado River <br /> <br />that a close reading of the CRBSCA indicates this interim period is not yet over. However, it is <br />likely that at some point in the future, the United States will be obligated to find a new way to <br />replace the bypass flow. <br /> <br />In addition to authorizing a number of projects that might be developed to replace bypass flows, <br />the CRBSCA additionally authorizes BOR to explore alternatives that demonstrate an economic <br />advantage. A 1984 amendment to the CRBSCA obligates BOR to use "cost-effectiveness as the <br />underlying criterion in determining which salinity control units should be operated.,,22 <br /> <br />The remainder of this paper analyzes three alternatives for replacing the bypass flow, including <br />two under consideration by the Bureau of Reclamation: operation of the Yuma Desalting Plant <br />(YDP) and offstream storage of Colorado River water.2 In addition the paper considers an <br />another alternative, which combines the lease of water from WMIDD and groundwater pumped <br />from the Yuma Mesa Area. <br /> <br />BYPASS FLOW REPLACEMENT ALTERNATIVES <br /> <br />1. LEASE OF WELLTON-MOHA WK W ^ TER AND SECURING OF FEDERAL <br />RIGHTS TO YUMA MESA GROUNDWATER <br /> <br />One way for the United States federal governJl1ent to replace the bypass flow is to transfer (lease <br />or purchase) water from fanners who use the Colorado River to irrigate crops. This paper <br />examines a lease as one form of water transfer, but given the federal government's need for a <br />permanent source of water, it may also be important to consider a permanent acquisition of water <br />rights, such as through purchase and fallowing of land currently under irrigation and cultivation. <br /> <br />Water used by farmers in the Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation and Drainage District to grow cereals <br />and grains has relatively low economic productivity, suggesting that some water users are likely <br />to respond positively to an attractive lease offer. It is important to note that a reduction of <br />irrigation water use in WMIDD would reduce the quantity of water draining into the MODE. <br />Protection of the Cienega de Santa Clara ecosystem could be accomplished by complementing a <br />lease program with the addition to the MODB of brackish groundwater pumped from the Yuma <br />Mesa groundwater mound (see Figure 1). <br /> <br />22 Pub. L. No, 98-596. Full text of the 1984 amendments to the CRBSCA can be found at US BaR, Colorado River <br />Water Quality Office, Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act Handbook, Section 1. <br />2J U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, handout at Las Vegas briefing, 5/8/01. <br /> <br />5 <br />