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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />CHAPTER IV <br /> <br />PROBLEMS AND NEEDS <br /> <br />The McElmo Creek Unit area, a part of the CRWQIP, contributes about <br /> <br />115,000 tons of salt annually to the Colorado River. Diversions from the <br /> <br />Dolores River entering the basin contain about 200-300 mg/L of TDS, while <br /> <br />McElmo Creek water leaving the basin contains about 2,600 mg/L. These <br /> <br />result in an increase in salinity of about 12 mg/L at Imperial Dam near <br /> <br />Yuma, Arizona. As a result of this and other salt sources, the Colorado <br /> <br />River's water quality has been deteriorating. <br /> <br />Montezuma Valley Irrigation Company <br /> <br />The Montezuma Valley Irrigation Company delivery system, constructed <br /> <br />in the late 1800's, was cut directly into the saline soils and rock in <br /> <br />many areas without lining. The location and design of the facilities <br /> <br />have resulted in conveyance system losses. These losses, coupled <br /> <br />with natural sources, contribute to salt loading of McElmo Creek and, <br /> <br />consequently, to the Colorado River. <br /> <br />Unlined canals and laterals, deep percolation, on-farm practices, <br /> <br />and natural sources all contribute to the 115,000 tons of salt loading of <br /> <br />McElmo Creek. Control of the incremental amounts of salt from each <br /> <br />source will be addressed in the feasibility report. <br /> <br />16 <br /> <br />l <br /> <br />!4 0 <br />