WSP00073

• File Number: 8277.400.200
• Description: Lower Virgin River Project
• State: NV
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 12/1/1976
• Author: USDA Soil Conservati
• Title: USDA Study Plan for The Virgin River Unit
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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This study plan provides guidance to the Soil Conservation Service
for investigations into the need and potential for USDA programs to reduce
salt loadings from tributary areas to the Lake Mead-Colorado River System
in the Lower Colorado River Basin.

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II. OBJECTIVES

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The overall objectives of the U. S. Department of Agriculture's par-
ticipation in the salinity control studies in the Virgin River Basin Area
of the Lower Colorado River Basin are:

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1. To determine the contribution of salt and sediment loading
from the area's 70,000 acres of irrigated land and related
upland watershed areas, and

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2. To determine the opportunity for reducing salt loading through
improving on-farm irrigation efficiencies, controlling ero-
sion, and reducing sediment delivery from irrigated lands
and contributing liatershed areas.

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Salinity control contributes to the water quality improvement aspects
of the environmental quality (EO) objective as described in the Principles
and Standards for Planning Water Resources, published by the U. S. Water
Resources Council. The act also recognizes the contribution that will be
made to the national economic development WED) objective. By reducing
salt loading through improved on-farm irrigation efficiencies and watershed
treatment, the value of the nation's output of goods and services will be
increased. Components of the NED and EO objectives in this study can be
specified as follows:

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Environmental Quality (EO)

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1. Reduce salt loading of the Colorado River
2. Reduce erosion and sediment loading

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National Economic Development (NED)

1. Improve irrigation efficiency

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The components of the NED and EO objectives are compatible, since they
each contribute to salt reduction.

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The USDA program will be coordinated with the programs and projects of
the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation, the Environmental Protection Agency, and
other Federal, State, and local agencies in the area who are concerned with
salinity control programs in the Lower Colorado River System.

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It is hoped that the study will result in an implementation plan of
action to meet the study objectives. The primary focus of the plan will be

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