WSP03161

• File Number: 8276.150
• Description: Grand Valley Unit-Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 12/1/1976
• Title: Draft - Grand Valley Salinity Study
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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PURPOSE

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The overall objective of the U. S, pepartment of Agriculture's

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participation in the salinity control studies in Grand Valley is to

determine the contribution of salt loading from the irrigated and

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related upland areas and to determine the opportunity for reducing

salt loading through improvements on irrigated farms and reduction

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of erosion and sediment del ivery from the upland areas.

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_USDA activities focused on evaluating the present condition of on-farm

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irrigation systems and management practices and determination of what

could be done to improve irrigation facilities and practices to reduce

salt loading. These activities were directed toward finding answers

to three questions:

1.

What is the magnitude of on-farm irrigation improvement

needs? On-farm improvements include ditch lining or pipe-

lines with appropriate water control structures, on-farm

water measuring devices, land level ing, field drains and

improved irrigation management.

2.

What are the total installation costs and annual levels

of funding required for program implementation?

3.

What will be the reduction in sal inity contributions to the

Colorado River? The effect is determined as a reduction in

tailwater runoff, deep percolation, and ditch seepage from

irrigation or an increase in irrigation efficiency. Reduced

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