WSPC02617

• File Number: 8272
• Description: Colorado River - Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program - CRBSCP
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 6/8/1992
• Author: CRBSCF
• Title: 1991 Annual Progress Report - Water Quality Standards for Salinity - Colorado River System
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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public's understanding through meetings, public appearances, and
speeches.

The Basin states assist the federal agencies in their ongoing
public involvement process. Reclamation, in cooperation with the
Forum, produces a newsletter entitled "Salinity Update" which is
used by the Forum and the Basin states to keep the public advised
of progress being made through the federal and state efforts.

Executive Director and Forum Office

The Forum is served by an Executive Director and a secretary,
with offices located at 106 West 500 South, suite 101, Bountiful,
Utah. The office and the costs associated with the activities of
the staff are funded by the Basin states. The Forum's staff helps
to coordinate the salinity control efforts of the Basin states.
The office acts as a focal point for communication between the
Basin states and provides for direct communication from the Forum
to the federal agencies involved and to the Congress.

The Executive Director, in cooperation with the Basin states,
has updated the compilation of the NPDES permits within the Basin
in a computer library. About 600 discharge permits have been
reviewed for any changes. In addition, newly issued permits were
added to the compilation. Copies of the NPDES permits listing are
available to any individual or agency by contacting the Forum
office.

During the period of this report, the Executive Director with
input from the Basin states has worked closely with EPA in the
review and preparation of rules governing the treatment of Indian
tribes as states under provisions of section 518 of the Clean Water
Amendments of 1987. Specifically, the Forum's input has been in
regard to standards, NPDES permits and sludge as those activities
impact the most on the salinity of the Colorado River.

OUTLOOK FOR MEETING STANDARDS IN THE FUTURE

Flow-weighted average annual salinity concentrations for 1990
(provisional) were 145 mg/l below the numeric criteria at Hoover
Dam, 118 mg/l below the criteria at Parker Dam, and 158 mg/l below
"the criteria at Imperial Dam. Based on the current level of
salinity in the lower mainstem, the level of reservoir storage, the
volume weighted salinity of the water in storage and the present
level of water use in the Basin, it is clear that the criteria will
not be exceeded during the next twelve-month period.

The flow-weighted average annual salinity values (Calendar
Year) at Hoover, Parker, and Imperial Dams during the period 1983
through 1987 decreased because of the record high runoff. During
the period 1988 through 1991 below normal runoffs have caused
salinity concentrations to again increase.

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