WSP01988

• File Number: 8271.300
• Description: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program - General Information and Publications-Reports
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 4/29/1982
• Author: Myron Holburt
• Title: Salinity Implications of Augmentation of the Colorado River by Weather Modification
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Due to the high costs associated with the aforementioned methods
for reducing salinity, the Bureau of Reclamation began to focus
at,.ention on the use of saline water for industrial purposes. The
se,en 3asin states adopted a no-salt return policy and a saline water

use policy for industrial water users. Recently the Bureau completed
a seudy of the beneficial use and disposal of saline water primarily
in ~he area of energy development. Legislation has been introduced

which would authorize joint ventures between government and private
industry to beneficially use and dispose of saline water.
Salinity reductions can also be achieved by increasing the amount
of low salimity water flowing in the river system. One method of
aug~enting Colorado River flows is to increase runoff by increasing
basin precipitation through weather modification.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SALINITY AND STREAM FLOW

Historical records indicate that under natural conditions a

specific relationship exists between salinity concentrations and
stream flow at a given point on a stream. The relationship shows
that as stream flow increases the total salt load increases, but the
sali.nity concentra'tion decrease~,;. For example, under 1979 conditions

of Upper Basin development the relationships for different stream-

flO\'IS into Lake Powell is as follows:
Salt Load
Virgin Flow of Gaged
@Lee Ferry Inflow Concentration
(1000'S AF) (1000'S tons) (mg/l)
15,000 7,929 525
14,000 7,520 546
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Change +1,000 + 409 -21