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:;.'< ;~l " " ~: ~i: '" " w en , l'\) ;, j " ~~ ..:,,1 " " ~.;.; " l ... , " 4i f, l i I t i I I' RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND DEMONSTRATION Recent ARS activity with reference to the Upper Colorado has come about by redirection of inhouse funds. Level basins are being studied as a surface irrigation method that eliminates surface runoff or tailwater, allows close control of deep percolation, and has a low labor requirement. ~evel basins are less 'sui ted to the Grand Valley, wi th its steeper slopes and shallower soils, than to the Wellton-Mohawk project, However, a survey has shown that about one-third of the Grand Valley may be suitable for level basin systems. Additional research is under way for effective irrigation scheduling and the effect of high, saline water tables on irrigation water requirements. Another research and development component concerns the evaluation of available automation equipment, development and testing of new devices, and working with farmers to integrate these components into an effective' management system. A number of the shortcomings identified in the action program are being addressed by the research program.' Furthermore, work has ,been funded by ARS at Utah State to develop a system of "surge irrigation"' that may help solve the variable infiltration rate problem in Grand Valley; and at Colorado State University to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the ongoing onfarm improvement program in the Grand Valley and to monitor benefits on this program. Additional research activities include developing means of overcoming the variable infiltration rates already mentioned, improving designs and canal turnout and pipelines to solve problems associated with sediment deposits in pipelines, and developing methods for 'assessing the benefits of'the onfarm" and lateral improvement programs. INSTITUTIONAL AND INTERAGENCY ACTIVITIES Continued interagency activities and coordination efforts are ,being maintained in accordance with executed MOU and MOA. The Forum Work Group, the Federal Interagency Salinity Control Committee,and the USDA Salinity Control Coordinating Committee are the primary groups handling interagency' communications and liaison with the Colorado River Basin SalinitY,Control Advisory Council and Forum. Within USDA, and specifically within SCS, national program leadership has been shifted from the Basin and Area Planning staff to the Water Quality Project Implementation (WQPI) staff. Walter F. Rittall, Director, WQPI, has also been designated the USDA Salinity Control Liaison Officer. The USDA agencies are also revising the MOU between SCS, ASCS, ARS, CSRS, and ES for the Grand Valley and Uinta Basin projects. Essentially, two separate documents have been combined into one revised MOU for both projects. Formal execution of the revised MOU should occur in 1982, ' 20