WSP03774

• File Number: 8273.800.10
• Description: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control - Federal Agencies - Joint Reports
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 12/1/1990
• Title: 1990 Joint Evaluation of Salinity Control Programs in the Colorado River Basin
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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time-of-travel for water in the Wash. Results of
the salinity analyses indicated that total
dissolved solids concentrations continue to
decrease, but total salt volume is increasing due
to increased water flow, Preliminary results of
the dye study indicate that resident time for
water in the Wash is continuing to decrease.

Reclamation requested the State of Nevada to
withdraw an application for a pennit to divert
20 ftS /s of water from the Wash. Approval was
granted for this pennit in April 1977 and an
extension has been granted each year since then.

Lower Gunnison Basin, Colorado

Reclamation

The Lower Gunnison Basin Unit plan of
development provides for replacing winter
livestock water in the Uncompahgre Project
system with delivery through rural domestic
systems.

Construction of the first portion of the winter
water system started in 1990 under a
construction cooperative agreement with the
Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association.
A 5-year construction period is anticipated for
the completion ofthe entire winter water
system,

USDA

This was the third year of CRSC cost-share
funding for USDA contracts with individuals
and groups, During the year 17 CRSC contracts
were signed. This makes a total of 40 contracts
signed since the project started. All CRSC
contract funds were obligated during the year,
and 26 plans were prepared and are awaiting
funding in fiscal year 1991.

Eighteen miles of pipeline and concrete-lined
ditch have been installed along with other
salinity reduction practices such as sprinkler
systems, drip systems, surge irrigation, and
structures for water control. Technical
assistance on irrigation water management was
also provided to all participants, As of
September 30, 1990, a salt load reduction of
2,000 tons per year has been achieved.

An SCS wildlife biologist is located in the Delta
field office and devotes full time to assisting with
the planning, installation, and tracking of
wildlife habitat practices, To date, 20 percent of
the salinity control contracts include the
voluntary application of wildlife habitat
practices, During the year, an SCS wildlife
biologist was placed in the Montrose field office
to provide assistance on wildlife habitat
replacement program in the Lower Gunnison #2
(Montrose County) project area.

The full-time Irrigation Extension Agent located
in the Delta USDA Service Center provided
infonnation, education, and technical assistance
for implementation of the salinity control
program. During the year, a field day was held
to acquaint the public with the salinity control
activities, In addition, cablegation, surge, and
subsurface demonstration sites were monitored.

Moapa Valley, Nevada-USDA

Preparation of the Moapa Valley USDA salinity
control project EIS continued during the year.
The final EIS is scheduled for release in
December 1991. During the year, engineering
investigations were carried out on several
alternatives for the irrigation water distribution
system, Also, monitoring of shallow
ground-water wells continued.

This salinity control project, located northeast of
Las Vegas, Nevada, is for the installation of
onfann and off-fann irrigation systems, It is
projected to reduce salt loading to the Colorado
River by approximately 19,500 tons per year.

Paradox Valley,
Colorado-Reclamation

The Paradox Valley Unit facility will intercept
salinity inflows to the river and dispose of the
brine by deep well injection, The ongoing testing
program consists of verification and refinement
of controlling brine inflow to the river, design
data collection for future facilities, and testing
the injection well. The 2-year test will begin in
fiscal year 1991.

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