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<br />ADVANCE SUMMARY <br /> <br />The research and development work during <br />1961 in regard to the use of Colorado clays for <br />sealing irrigation canals and reservoirs is sum- <br />marized in this report. The Colorado State Univer- <br />sHy work has included: (1) sampling of clay deposits, <br />(2) laboratory testing of clay samples, (3) assistance <br />in development of clay deposits, and (4) evaluation of <br />field tests using Colorado clays in canals and reser- <br />voirs. The results of this work are summarized in <br />Figure I and Tables l(a), I(b), I(c), II, Ill, IV and V <br />at the end of this report. <br /> <br />The work started or completed in each of the <br />major river areas of Colorado is summarized below: <br /> <br />1. Arkansas River Area - - This has been <br />the most active area in the State for clay-sealing <br />work -- especially the area around Salida. Several <br />sources of an excellent quality bentonite or clay have <br />been located and developed in this area. Experienced <br />contractor services are available for installation <br />work in canals and ponds. Many favorable installa- <br />tions have been made u especially in the area be- <br />tween Salida and Buena Vista. (See Figure I and <br />Tables I(a) and Ill.) <br /> <br />2. Colorado River Area -- Several sources <br />of an excellent quality bentonite or clay have been <br />located in the vicinity of Grand Junction and Meeker, <br />Colorado. Favorable prospects have been located <br />in several additional locations within the drainage <br />area. Contractor services, specializing in clay- <br />sealing work, are not yet available. Only a few in- <br />stallations have been made, but the need for canal <br />and pond sealing is well recognized in this general <br />area. (See Figure I and Tables l(b) and IV. ) <br /> <br />3. North Platte River Area (North Park) -- <br />One SOurce of an excellent quality bentonite has been <br />located, but it is not developed yet. Contractor ser- <br />vices, specializing in clay-sealing work, are not <br />available. The interest in canal and pond sealing is <br />just starting to develop in this area. (See Figure I <br />and Table I(c).) <br /> <br />4, Rio Grande River Area (San Luis Valley) u <br />Several excellent quality, butun"developed, -clay--- <br />deposits have been located. No local contractor is <br />specializing in clay-sealing work, but the northern <br />part of the valley is being serviced and supplied <br />from the nearby Salida area. A number of success- <br />ful installations have been made in canals and ponds <br />in the north end of the valley. (See Figure rand <br />Tables r(b) and IV,) <br /> <br />5. San Juan River Area -- The interest in <br />canal and pond sealing is well-developed in this <br />area, but so far only borderline quality clays have <br />been found in the immediate area. The Salida bento- <br />nite has been used in one canal and several ponds in <br />the Durango-Pagosa Springs area. One excellent <br />clay deposit prospect has been located west of Durango <br />by a local prospector. (See Figure r and Tables r(b) <br />and IV,) <br /> <br />6. South Platte River Area - - Several fair <br />to borderline quality clays have been located in this <br />area - - mainly along the foothills and north of Fort <br />Morgan. Several contractors are interested in the <br />work and additional installations are planned. Most <br />of the past work in this area has involved Wyoming <br />bentonite. Additional development work is needed <br />since the past work has produced only mediocre <br />results in this area. (See Figure r and Tables r(c). <br />III and V.) <br /> <br />1055 <br /> <br />ili <br />