WSP03271

• File Number: 8273.700
• Description: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control - Federal Agency Reports - GAO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 3/29/1995
• Title: Water Quality - Information on Salinity Control Projects in the Colorado River Basin - Report to Congressional Requesters
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

B-259297

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Department of
Agriculture's Projects

Through September 30, 1994, USDA had spent about $89 million on its
salinity control program. The program, in which farIllers voluntarily
participate, emphasizes the use of efficient irrigation methods to reduce
water seepage (which contributes salt to the river). Through this program,
USDA primarily (1) identifies sources of salt and develops remediation
plans; (2) provides financial and technical assistance to farmers to plan,
undertake, and maintain projects that reduce seepage; and (3) monj,tors
and evaluates the effectiveness of such practices. USDA funds 70 percent of
the cost of salinity control projects; the landowners fund the remaining
30 percent.

Through September 30, 1994, USDA had about 1,300 contracts for salinity
control projects on farms in five project areas located in Colorado, Utah,
and Wyoming. These projects generally involve installing underground
pipelines; lining earthen ditches, canals, and laterals; leveling land to
reduce runoff; and replacing conventional irrigation systems with more
efficient ones. These projects have affected a total of about 150,000 acres,
or about 40 percent of the approximately 360,000 acres targeted for
treatment. According to USDA program managers, it will cost about
$228 million more to complete projects in the five current project areas.
(See app. I for more information on USDA'S program activities.) Table 3
shows-by project area, through fiscal year 1994-the expenditures, the
number of active contracts, and the type and number of salinity control
methods.

Table 3: USDA's Salinity Control Project Activities Through Fiscal Year 1994
Expenditures Total cost
through fiscal when Irrigation
year 1994 completed Active systems Pipeline
(dollars in (dollars in contracts installed installed
millions) millions) (number) (number) (feet)
$26 $63 392 1,617 2,220,031

37 60 494 1,790 3,979,657
7 19 15 95 138,512
14 145 224 402 789,293
5 30 170 218 402,991
$89 $317 1,295 4,122 7,530,484
Note: Individual landowners or farms can have multiple contracts.

Ditches
lined
(feet)
371,712
o
o
108,130
o
479,842

Project area
Grand Valley (Colorado)
Uintah Basin (Utah)
Big Sandy (Wyoming)
Lower Gunnison (Colorado)
Me Elmo Creek (Colorado)
Total

Source: USDA.

Page 9

Land
leveled
(acres)
4,964
2,452
o
1,262
o

8,678

GAOIRCED-95-58 Salinity Control Projects in the Colorado River Basin

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