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o c""" ~ '"."") o r"",\ '- ' :~(~~) ..:.'. Executive Summary The Phase I Salinity Investigation of the Glenwood-Dotsero Springs Salinity Control Unit was designed, first, to interpret the saline groundwater systems and associated geology, and secondly, to identify, study and evaluate alternative plans to reduce the current salt contribution from this largest point source of salinity in the Upper Colorado River Basin. The results of this Investigation are to be used by the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) to select a plan which will proceed to feasibility level design in Phase II. The authority for this Investigation is the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act of 1974, Public Law 93-320 (88 Stat. 266, June 24, 1974). This Act provided for the construction, operation and maintenance of certain works in the Colorado River Basin to control the salinity of water available to users in the United States and Mexico. Title II of the Act provided for the construction of four salinity control units and for the planning of twelve other control units. The Glenwood-Dotsero Springs Unit was one of these twelve other control units and was subsequently authorized for feasibility level planning by Public Law 96-375 passed in 1980. The Glenwood-Dotsero Springs Control Unit is located in west central Colorado on both ends of the scenic Glenwood Canyon. The area is one of great natural beauty with an interplay of the Colorado River, valleys, plateaus and mountains. Vegetation zones are semi-desert, mountain/plateau, and riparian, with wildlife characteristic of such areas. The Colorado River enters the study area just below its confluence with the Eagle River at Dotsero. The river is in a coldwater fishery zone throughout the Dotsero-Glenwood Springs reach. The Dotsero springs are just west of the small community of Dotsero and are presently undeveloped. The Glenwood springs are located in or adjacent to the City of Glenwood Springs, where some of the larger springs have been developed for commercial swimming pools and private mineral hot baths. In both areas, some springs have been disturbed or altered by the construction of Interstate 70, which is the major east-west route in the area. In Glenwood Canyon, the designation remains as U.S. Highway 6, since the interstate has not yet been constructed. Glenwood Canyon is the most environmentally sensitive area within the Salinity Control Unit. The Scope of the Phase I Investigation incorporated problem identification and quantification (PIQ), plan formulation, appraisal designs and environmental assessments, verification, public meetings, and report preparation. The compressed nature of the Phase I schedule dictated that the appraisal designs be accomplished concurrently with the PIQ effort. Therefore the information gathered during PIQ and verification is not fully represented in the appraisal designs. Adjustment of appropriate design parameters will be accomplished during Phase II feasibility planning of the selected alternative plan. i