WSP00515

• File Number: 8271.200.60
• Description: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program - Development and History - Ann Rpts-Reviews
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 1/1/1982
• Title: 1982 USDA Annual Report - Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Annual Report

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I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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This 1982 USDA Annual Report on the CRBSCP presents an abbreviated overview of
the many activities addressed during the past year. The report serves as an
informational document which explains USDA accomplishments during 1982 and
identifies s~e key activities projected for 1983. It is intended that
this annual report receive widespread distribution to USDA agencies,
U.S. Department of the Interior (USDI) agencies, U.S. Environental Protection
Agency (EPA), the Advisory Council, the Forum, and other cooperating agencies
or interest groups.'

Overview

1. Average annual salinity concentrations of the Colorado River increase
progressively as it flows downstream from about 50 milligrams per liter
(mg/l) in the headwaters to about 820 mg/l at Imperial Dam. Without
upstream salinity control, concentrations are projected to reach about
1140 mg/l by the year 2000.

2. Irrigated agriculture contributes 37 percent of the total annual salt
load to the Colorado River above Hoover Dam.

3. Average annual downstream damages for each mg/l increase in salinity at
Imperial Dam costs approximately $513,000 (January 1982). Therefore,
each ton of salt load reduction provides about $50.00 worth of average
annual benefi ts.

Title I Wellton-Mohawk

1. The Well ton-Mohawk project objectives are to reduce average annual
return flows to 108,000 acre feet per year. The 1981 return flows were
153,000 acre feet and are projected to be reduced to 108,000 acre feet
by 1986.

2. Plans and
acres out
project.
achieved
Title II

contracts have been executed on 237 farms covering 33,600
of 327 applications for 52,600 acres in the Wellton-Mohawk
Complete irrigation water management and application have been
on 26,400 acres.

1. The McElmo Creek (CO) and Virgin Valley (NV, AZ) irrigation salinity
control studies were completed in 1982 making a total of seven completed
studies.

2. In th~ Grand Valley, the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation
Service (ASCS) received 297 requests for cost-sharing in 1982 with SCS
servicing 228 applications. There were 185 who completed at least one
or more water management and salinity control practices. Over 1,400
separate requests have been received with nearly 900 participants
applying at least one practice since 1979.

3. The Soil Conservation Service (SCS) has developed 195 irrigation water
management plans in Grand Valley on 5,473 acres.

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