WSP01897

• File Number: 8270.100
• Description: Colorado River Basin Water Quality/Salinity -- Misc Water Quality
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 1/1/1977
• Author: USDOI
• Title: Quality of Water - Colorado River Basin - Progress Report No. 8 - January 1977
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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HISTORY OF WATER RESOURCE DEVELOP~NT

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This report. prepared by the seven State Colorado River
Basin Salinity Control Forum, presents in a single docu-
ment the water quality standards for salinity submitted
for adoption by each of the States in the Basin. The
standards are to be reviewed at three-year intervals and
modified, if appropriate.

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Consistent with the regulation, the recommended flow-
weighted average annual numeric salinity criteria for
three locations in the lower main stem of the Colorado
River System are as follows:

Below Hoover Dam
Below Parker Dam
Imperial Dam

Salinity
in mg/l
723
747
879

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The plan of implementation comprises a number of
Federal and non-Federal projects and measures to
maintain the flow-weighted average annual salinity
in the lower main stem at or below the recommended
numeric criteria through 1990. as the Basin States
continue to develop their compact-apportioned
waters. The principal components of the plan are
as follows:

1. Prompt construction and operation of the initial
four salinity control units authorized by Title II
of P.L. 93-320. the Colorado River Basin Salinity
Control Act.

2. Construction of the 12 other units listed in
Title II of P.L. 93-320 or their equivalent after
receipt of favorable planning reports.

3. The placing of effluent limitations. principally
under the NPDES permit program provided for in Section
402 of P.L. 92-500 on industrial discharges.

4. The reformulation of previously authorized. but
unconstructed. Federal water projects to reduce
the salt loading effect.

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5. Use of saline water for industrial purposes
whenever practical. programs by water users to
cope with the river1s high salinity, studies of
means to minimize salinity in municipal

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