Laserfiche WebLink
<br />. . <br />'::":l <br />CD C <br />~ 0 <br />- P <br />,-, <br /> Y. <br />--' <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />SUMMARY SHEETS <br /> <br />COLORADO RIVER WATER QUALITy IMPROVEMENT <br />GRAND VALLEY SYSTEM IMPROVEMEN~~ <br /> <br />LOCATION: West-central Colorado in the Colorado River Basin <br /> <br />AUTHORIZATION: Colorado River Storage Project, P.]~. 84-485, April 11, <br />1956, Navajo Indian Irrigation and San Juan Chama <br />Project, Act 87-483, June 13, 1962" Fryingpan- <br />Arkansas Project, Act 87-590, August 16, 1962 <br /> <br />OBJECTIVES <br /> <br />Comprehensive plan for modernization and improvement of the Grand <br />Valley irrigation distribution and drainage system to facilitate a <br />modern, efficient method of water distribution and management to <br />prevent seepage losses, inefficient irrigation practices, and uncon- <br />trolled release of unused waste water into wasteways and drainage <br />systems that unnecessarily increase the salinity contribution to the <br />river. <br /> <br />AREA DEVELOPMENT <br /> <br />Studies indicate that one of the largest contributors of salts to the <br />Colorado River is the Grand Valley at Grand Junction, Colorado. A <br />highly saline formation known as the Mancos Shale underlies the <br />entire valley, and leaching action by irrigation carries the salts to <br />the river. The unlined canal and ditch losses in the area are high <br />and, lining of all these would also conserve water in addition to the <br />reduction of seepage losses and subsequent carrying of salts to the <br />river. <br /> <br />Approximately 80,000 acres are irrigated in the Grand Valley and <br />diversion started in 1882 with the construction of what is now the main <br />line Grand Valley Canal. Nearly 180 miles of main canals and 540 miles <br />of laterals exist in the Grand Valley. Most of these features were <br />built by private enterprises and are presently operated by 5 water <br />companies. Crops grown in the valley include alfalfa, fruit, beans, <br />sugar beets, tomatoes and grains. <br /> <br />A feasibility study is now in progress to determine the feasibility of <br />rehabilitating all irrigation systems to help elirr.inate seepage and <br />improve the conveyance system which will aid in improved water manage- <br />ment and efficiency to reduce the salt load to the, river system. <br /> <br />Copied: CWCB:tam <br />11/20/73 <br />