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<br />W <br />1"0 <br />c..~ <br />~J <br /> <br />of proposed improvements for econom~c benefit to the local area and <br />downstream salinity impacts. The sLudies are scheduled for culmination <br />in an appraisal report in fiscal year 1975. It now appears that the <br />combination of system improvement and irrigation scheduling and manage- <br />ment could result in a reduction of 200,000 tons of total dissolved <br />solids to the Colorado River. <br /> <br />Lower Gunnison Basin Unit <br /> <br />Investigations concerning water system management and improvement will <br />be initiated in conjunction with the irrigation scheduling and manage- <br />ment program this year. Some investigations have been conducted and <br />will continue to determine needed improvements on the Uncompahgre Proj- <br />ect. a major development in the area. The study is to be completed <br />with a feasibility report scheduled in FY 1977. <br /> <br />Uinta Basin Unit <br /> <br />The systems improvement program proposed includes the improvement of <br />conveyance systems by lining canals, converting to pipe systems, and <br />upgrading diversion structures. The Bureau of Reclamation obtained <br />permission from the Bureau of Indian Affairs in June 1973 to conduct <br />necessary field investigations on the Uintah Indian Irrigation Project <br />canals. This work consists of seepage 10s5 measurements and quality <br />of water sampling at 17 stations on canCl1s and drains. It is estimated <br />that the combined irrigation management and system improvement programs <br />could reduce the salt contribution by 200,000 tons per year. The inves- <br />tigation program is scheduled for completion in fiscal year 1977. <br /> <br />Utilizinq Return Flows Division <br /> <br />Investigations have not yet started in this division but it is planned <br />to examine the potential of converting irrigation return flows to other <br />beneficial consumptive uses such as thermal power-plant cooling and <br />coal gasification \...ithin the basin to avoid returning them to the river <br />system. The San Juan area will be studied in FY 1974 and 1975 to be <br />followed by the Grand Valley area in 1976 and 1977. <br /> <br />Other Support Studies <br /> <br />The individual source control and irrigation control units will be <br />supported by continuing studies of methods to improve irrigation effi- <br />ciencies and of methods of optimizing water systems operations to <br />minimize salinity increases. These studies will be continued through <br />the CRWQIP duration. <br /> <br />-7- <br />