WSP03331 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

n.o.1!~8 ".4' " Purpose and Need 1-8 drains are largely earth-lined. Because of the age and condition of these facilities, significant amounts of water are lost to leakage and seepage. According to Reclamation's 1984 Lower Gunnison Basin Unit FEIS (1984), canal and lateral seepage on the eastern half of the UVRP total approximately 26,600 acre-feet per year. In addition to the loss of valuable water, seepage causes other adverse impacts. Much of the UVRP is underlain by Mancos shale, which is salt- and selenium-bearing. Selenium and salt are major concerns in the Colorado River basin, causing potential adverse impacts to agriculture, municipal water systems, and natural resources. The US Geological Survey (USGS) and Reclamation have studied the issue extensively, and determined that seepage runoff from the UVRP is a significant contributor of salt and selenium to the Colorado River. The portion of the UVRP that lies east of the Uncompahgre River yields more salt per acre than does the west side. Reclamation's 1994 Supplement to the Feasibility Report- Lower Gunnison Basin Unit (1994) estimated that lining and piping laterals on the east side of the UVRP would reduce salt loads to the Gunnison and Colorado Rivers by 94,880 tons (of salt) per year. While Reclamation's 1994 report determined that the lining and piping project would provide important benefits to the Colorado Ri ver Water Quality Improvement Program, funding for the effort has not been available. The UVWUA has pledged at least 50%, and as much as 75% of net revenues from AB Lateral operations towards irrigation system improvements. Over the next 25 years, this could total $15 to $25 million ($40 to $50 million over 30 years). Money could possibly be leveraged with federal cost-sharing funds that may be available for such work. Potential activities include repair/replacement of leaking headgates, lining major canals, and piping laterals. These activities would substantially increase system water efficiency. If fully implemented, the east side lining and piping project could save as much as 2,000 acre-feet of annual, consumptive water loss, 94,880 tons of salt loading to the Colorado River, and an unquantified, though potentially important amount of selenium. In addition to environmental benefits, efficiency improvements would help make local farmers more cost-competitive, with attendant economic benefits to the area. AB Lateral revenues would also help offset other UVWUA expenses, including administrative, operating and maintenance costs, as well as debt retirement. Operating and maintenance costs in particular are expected to increase with time as the irrigation system ages. Revenues from the project would potentially reduce anticipated increases in net charges to water users, further enhancing their economic competitiveness. 1.5 Relationship with Other Projects Numerous water projects and programs have been developed or are under development in the Gunnison and Uncompahgre River basins. The proposed Project would operate in AS Lateral Hydropower Project July 2000 ~- - -:~ - ..;