WSP01045

• File Number: 8277.500.10
• Description: Price and San Rafael Basin Unit - Colorado River Water Quality Improvement Program
• State: UT
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 9/1/1987
• Title: Status Report to the Colorado River Basic Salinity Control Forum Work Group
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Chapter I
Introduction

Purpose of Report
Since March of 1986 the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and the Soil
Conservation Service (SCS) have been working cooperatively to evaluate the
potential of constructing sprinkler irrigation systems within the study area
of the Price and San Rafael Rivers unit as a salinity control measure. In the
evaluation, appraisal level designs and cost estimates have been prepared for
76 independent pressure laterals and on-farm sprinkler systems. '!he cost per
ton of salt removed (cost effectiveness) was also determined for each of the
pressure lateral sprinkler systems. '!he cost effectiveness for these systems
ranges from $27 per ton to $216 per ton. Preliminary information presented to
the Salinity Forum Work Group in March 1986 indicated that the cost
effectiveness for the sample area considered (Ferron and Cottonwood Creek
areas) was $70 per ton.

Because of the wide range of cost effectiveness, Reclamation and the SCS have

prepared this report in an effort to receive input from the Salinity Forum

work Group as to what the cutoff point should be for the cost per ton of salt

removed. In determining where the cutoff should be made, Reclamation and the

SCS believe that there are two important considerations. First, the project

should be large enough to justify the effort required to obtain Congressional

authorization and NEPA compliance. Second, the cost effectiveness should be

low enough to give the project a fairly high priority for implementation.

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