WSP01341

• File Number: 8276.130
• Description: Grand Valley Unit - Colorado River Basin Salinity Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 10/1/1986
• Title: Grand Valley Unit Newsletter - Lateral Improvement Program
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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FROM WALT FITE, PROJECTS MANAGER...

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Over the past years) there have been
many words spoken and written about the
Grand Valley salinity control program. I
believe this is good because it is
important to talk about and resolve the
issues. As we approach the time for
starting work on improving the private
laterals, an important issue has come to
the surface. This issue is: How will
the program be implemented? It is my
personal goal to insure that J when the
program is implemented on the private
laterals, it is done in a way that suits
the wishes of the majori ty of the water
users.

The problem I am faced with is: How do
I insure that Reclamation receives
sufficient input so that when we make
decisions they reflect the majority
opinion? The way we will do this is
through a process called public
involvement. Public involvement is not
Reclamation telling you how we want to
implement the program, but instead J us
encouraging you to give your opinion on
implementation through a series of group
and one-an-one meetings.

The input we receive is only valid if we
get a good cross-section of opinions
from water users throughout the valley;
therefore, it is very important to us
and to you that you attend the public
meetings J come see us personally, or
have us come see you. Please do not
leave the decision to someone else. We
need your thoughts on this very
important program for the Grand Valley
and the Colorado River Basin. I hope
that you can attend the public meetings
scheduled for October 22 and 23 and
November 19. We look forward to your
valued input.

./d~lr~/
~~ i

OVERVIEW--PRIVATE LATERAL IMPROVEMENT

Currently, there are about 500 miles of
private laterals here in the Grand
Valley. Approximately 325 miles of these
are open earth laterals, which are not
efficient in keeping irrigation water
from leaking. When the water leaks and
travels through the ground, it dissolves
minerals (salts) that exist there
naturally. The mineral-laden water
gradually travels to a drain, wash, or
other natural waterway and ultimately to
the Colorado River.

As the salinity concentration in the
river rises, the damage caused by the
salinity rises. Damages result in
decreased crop yields, altered crop
patterns, and more water needed to leach
out the deposited salts in fields.
Municipal and industrial users also
experience higher treating costs and
increased deterioration of water
facilities.

Reclamation has studied several ways
within the river basin to decrease the
salt reaching the Colorado River. We
have found the lateral improvement
program in the Grand Valley to be one of
the more cost-effective ways to reduce
the salt. Replacing open earth laterals
with pipe comprises a major part of
future improvements in the Grand Valley.
To ensure that the improved laterals
will be maintained, Reclamation will
negotiate operation and maintenance
contracts with non-Federal groups to
operate the laterals. Reclamation
wi~hes to organize private lateral users
into entities which can efficiently
maintain their laterals.

PARTICIPATION

Reclamation and the State of Colorado
want all private water users to have the
opportuni ty to participate. Under the
Secretary of the Interior, Reclamation
has the responsibility, as authorized by
Congress, to ensure that the Colorado
River salinity control program is as