WSPC04468

• File Number: 8272
• Description: Colorado River - Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program - CRBSCP
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 12/1/1989
• Author: DOI-BOR
• Title: Colorado River Water Quality Improvement Program - Preliminary Findings Report - Uinta Basin Unit - Phase II
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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GC?28E

Concrete lining the 55.5 miles of canals and laterals in the
recommended plan to reduce seepage would reduce the salt loading to
the Colorado River by an estimated 25,500 tons per year. The reduced
canal seepage would also result in a savings of about 16,800 acre-feet
of water annually; however, because of its seasonal availability, only
about 4,600 acre-feet would be available during the late irrigation
season to decrease shortages on presently irrigated land in the unit
area. Table 1 lists the total proposed lining, canal capacities,
total annual costs, ,average annual salt-load reduction, and
cost-effectiveness value for each of the subareas in the recommended
plan for phase I.

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Description of Phase II

Table 2, taken from the phase II Plan of Study dated September 1986,
contains a list of areas and alternative control methods to be
considered under phase II. As indicated in the table, review of these
items resulted in identification of four areas under the joint
Reclamation-Soil Conservation Service (SCS) program and two areas
under the Reclamation only program which merit further study. Areas
listed under Joint Reclamation-SCS Program were selected based
primarily on SCS priorities and recommendations. Areas under
Reclamation only were selected based on greatest cost-effectiveness
potential. Areas in the Uinta and Upalco Unit areas were not selected
due to the relatively low salt loading from the higher bench lands as
previously discussed.

JOINT RECLAMATION-USDA PROGRAM

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Ute land and Purdy Canals

Improvement of the Uteland and Purdy Canal systems was investigated as
a joint project and found to be not cost effective. Estimated annual
salt reduction would be 1,180 tons with an estimated annual cost of
$164,400, which results in a cost effectiveness of $139 per ton.

The Colorado River Salinity Control Forum Work Group recommended the
water users pursue this project on their own. The water users have
applied for a loan from the Division of Water Resources and for United
States Department of Agriculture onfarm salinity control funds to
build this project. The SCS is presently designing both on and
off-farm components of this project in coordination with the Division
of Water Resources.

Ouray Park Canal

The Ouray Park Canal joint project was found to be not cost effective.
Most of the onfarm improvements are already in place; therefore, only
the salt reduction achieved by lining or piping 8 miles of canal can
be claimed.

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