WSP00281

• File Number: 8276.450
• Description: McElmo Creek Unit - Colorado River Salinity Control Program
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 7
• Date: 12/1/1986
• Title: Environmental Assessment for Onfarm Irrigation Improvements - McElmo Creek Unit Salinity Control Study
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: EIS

.

C.olorado Rive.r
Water Quality Improvement Program
Environmental Ass~ssment
for the McElmo Creek Salinity Control coit

Lead A~en~v
I:. S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Servicp

Cooperatin~ ARencies
Agricultural Stabilization and
Conservation Service, USDA

Bureau of Reclamation, usor

Environmental Protection Agency

State and County Directlv Affecterl
Colorado
Montezuma County

Abstract _ McElmo Creek Salinity Control ~niL. The djscus~ion of
the McElmo Creek Unit indicates that under the future without
condition 60.000 tons of salt will be delivered to the Colorado
River via McElmo Creek. Under the Recommended Plant which calls
for irrigatic)n water delivery and management improvements, this
salt load will be reduced 38,000 tons per year down to a
contrihution of 22,000 tons annua]ly~ Salinity concentration at
Imperial Dam would be reduced 3.9 mg/l. Local benefits resulting
from these improvements would be reflected in reduced cost of
production, improved irrigation systems and increasp.d crop
yields. Thes~ b~nefits may impact 1,750 of the 11,000 acres of
wetlands in the project area that have been created largely by
j,rrigation. Some of these losses may be replaced through
cost-shared wildlife practices on a voluntary basis~ Experience
in the Grand Valley Salinity Control Area indicates that the rate
of voluntary habitat replacement is not high.

Comments on this Assessment shou.ld be directed to:
Sheldon G. Boone, State Conservationist
Soil Conservation ~ervice
Diamond Hill Complex, Bldg. A, 3rd Floor
2490 W. 26th Avenue
Denver, CO 80211

002141