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<br />. <br /> <br />~ <br />l-& <br />o <br />~ Existing data shows that a narrow confined aqui fer in the weathered <br />shale conducts most of the canal seepage. A gravel and cobble layer <br />also has been found under some of the irrigated areas in the Grand Valley <br />and is believed to serve as a aquifer for ground water. Studies have <br />identified areas where the ground water has artesian pressure in the cobble <br />aquifer due to the confining effect of the Mancos shale beneath and the <br />tight clay soil above. This situation is believed to be responsible for <br />some areas of high water tables. The cobble aquifer is being studied to <br />determine its extent and influence on the ground water system. <br /> <br />COLORADO RIVER SALINITY CONTROL PROGRAM (continued) <br /> <br />An operation and maintenance contract has been signed with the Grand <br />Valley Water Users Association preparatory to construction of the water <br />system improvements in the Stage One area. Construction contracts were <br />being awarded in 1980 for a field station and for lining 6.8 miles (11 km) <br />of the Government Highline Canal. Congress did not disapprove placing the <br />laterals in pipe, but amendatory legislation is pending for mitigating <br />wildlife habitat losses. The pipe lateral contract for Stage I will be <br />awarded in early 1981 with completion expected in 1983. <br /> <br />.> <br /> <br />A monitoring plan has been devised by the Water and Power Resources <br />Service to measure salinity reductions and wildlife habitat impacts in the <br />Stage One area resulting from on-farm and water system improvements. The <br />plan has been reviewed by other agencies involved in the salinity project <br />and is bein~ put into operation. <br /> <br />Except for the Stage One area the Irrigation Management <br />(IMS) program has been terminated in Grand Valley. Research and <br />ment funds are being used to continue the IMS program in the Stage <br />to further test its effectiveness in reducing salinity. <br /> <br />Services <br />develop- <br />One area <br /> <br />Data collection is continuing inside and outside the Stage One area <br />including discharge and water quality measurements in natural drainage ways <br />tributary to the Colorado River and water level measurements in a network <br />of ground water observation wells. Planning for the remainder of the <br />Grand Valley Unit is to be completed in 1985 with a construction start pro- <br />jected for 1986. <br /> <br />The Department of Agriculture received appropriations of $1.7 million <br />in 1979 and $1.8 million in 1980 to initiate construction of on-farm <br />improvements for reducing salinity. Where possible the on-farm improve- <br />ments are being concentrated in the Stage One area to complement the water <br />systems improvements being done by the Water and Power Resources Service. <br /> <br />3. Crystal Geyser Unit <br /> <br />.' <br /> <br />The Crystal Geyser, a privately owned abandoned oil test well, located <br />3.5 miles (5.6 km) south of the town of Green River, Utah, on the east <br />bank of the Green River, contributes about 3,000 tons (2700 t) of salt <br />annually to the Colorado River System. The saline water erupts in the <br />form of a geyser at about 5-hour intervals due to carbon dioxide accumula- <br />tions. The concentrations of the water range from II 000 to 14 000 mg/L <br /> <br />6B <br />