WSP00144

• File Number: 8221.104.J
• Description: Uncompahgre Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Gunnison
• Water Division: 4
• Date: 1/1/1972
• Title: Uncompahgre Project Colorado: Special Report on need for Improvement & Extension
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

1.....

Over 90 percent of the canals and laterals are unlined and I80st of
the diversion dams and the canal and lateral structures were origin-
ally of timber construction. Many of the major structures have been
replaced with more peDRanent concrete and steel construction, but a
large number of the more than 5,000 canal and lateral structures are
yet of timber construction and are obsolescent, deteriorated, unsafe
or unsightly.

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Over the project operation period, numerous adjustments i1l ve been
made in the project irrigable acreage. These adjustments have been
caused by several factors including; so11, drainage, and topographic
conditions not fully evaluated at the time of initial construction;
DDnparticipation by owners of some lands; and changes in economic
conditions. The project presently irrigates 83,800 acres of land.

Although the project water supply i. adequate during most portions
of the irrigation season, a water shortage exists during periods
when water requirements of crops are 'the 'greatest. These shortages
are due primarily to high water conveyance losses and limitations
in capacities of the Gunnison Tunnel and some of the project canal.
and laterals. Possible methods of reducing the water shortages
include the enlargement of the Gunnison Tunnel, enlargement and lining
of some of the canals and laterals, provision of additional reservoir
storage in the Uncompahgre River drainage, discontinuation of irriga-
tion service to some of the project Lands, and improvements in the
efficiency of applying present water supplies.

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The Uncompahgre Project area has been reported to be one of the major
sources of the saline content of Colorado River water. There is a
need to decrease the salinity contributions from the area. Ways of
accomplishing this objective include improvement in the efficiency of
irrigation water use and reduction in canal and lateral seepage losses.

Costs of operating and maintaining the project have increased almost
continuously due to rising costs of labor and materials, the accelera-
ting need for structure replacements, and the policy of improving the
quality of the structures and the general maintenance. Probable
future increases in operation and maintenance costs could impair the
capability of the Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association to operate
the project and meet contractual repayment obligations. There is a
need to modernize the project water conveyance and distribution system
to reduce operation and maintenance costs, improve the irrigation
water supply, reduce salinity contributions, and improve the appear-
ance of the area.

The repayment history of the project is quite complex due to
several factors. These include project additions and rehabili-
tation work subsequent to the initial construction, charge-offs
due to reclassification of land to a nonproductive status, delin-
quencies in payment of assessments, and deferments during the