WSP01685 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

~ e e administers more than 225,000 acres of Federal land in the basin under its jurisdiction. The National Park Service administers the Great Sand Dunes National Monument, a 36,700 acre scenic and recreation area. The Soil Conservation Service is giving active assistance to the Colorado ASCS, all SCD's, the San Luis valley RC&D, sponsors of PL 566 measures, Great Plains Conservation Program participants, State and local govern- ments and other State and Federal agencies. The SCS has prepared a Water Management Study for the Four Corners Regional Commission. All counties in the Rio Grande Basin have applied to the Secretary of Agriculture for planning authorization for an RC&D Project and are presently developing a plan with local resources. PROBLEMS AND NEEDS Over appropriation of streamflow, withdrawals for Rio Grande River Compact connnitments, inadequate water reserves for water short years and late season use, inefficient use of irrigation water and inadequate drainage are the principle agricultural water resource problems in the Rio Grande River Basin of Colorado. There are many acres of fertile soils that are not producing to maximum potential for lack of irrigation water. Other large areas are becoming less productive or are going entirely out of agricultural production because of salinity and water- logging due to inadequate drainage and high water tables. Some areas considered to be quite productive under present standards could be more productive with changes in land use and management practices. In the face of these problems or deficiencies the farm economy is weakening. Inasmuch as the economy of the basin is principally agricultural oriented it follows that as the farm economy slumps the economy of the entire basin tends to become depressed. Accordingly, the Col~rado Water Conser- vation Board needs information for solving water and related land resource problems in this basin and to determine relationships between present and future needs and connnitments, present and future developments, and potential water supplies. Basic agricultural needs of the basin are to provide an adequate and reliable water supply and to improve land use and management practices to conserve soil and water. Each need is related to and dependent upon the other for complete development of the agriculture resources of the basin and directly effects the social and economic welfare of the entire area. Opportunities exist for more effective utilization of the water resources through improved water management, consolidation and reorganization of distribution systems, installation of pipelines and canal linings, channel improvements and flood control to prevent overflow. Installation of effective drainage systems would result in the reclamation of waterlogged areas no", abandoned and would make additional water available for reuse ~o)'ithi.n the basin or for satis- faction of compact requirements downstream. Changes in present land use and management practices would result in increased production through land and crop conversions and more beneficial use of precipitation and - 5 -