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17 l\:) e:,,) <:.,) ....., Work is progressing on basinwide water and salt budgets. Average annual flow and tons of salt have been computed for 20 gaged streamflow stations throughout the basin. Work is being done now to identify the specific water and salt sources and water depletions within the area. , .' Newsletters ~ere developed and distributed in October and April to inform the public of study progress. A few comments were received back on each newsletter. The next simi-annual newsletter is currently being prepared for distribution. SCS specialists have not been able to complete some of their assignments on this study unit because of the demand on their time for the Uintah Basin salinity study and implementation and other SCS programs. Only two people are assigned full time to planning. Other specialists assist part-time. During the next 6 months SCS plans to complete a study of salt contribution from rangeland and a study of geologic impacts on groundwater movement. Cropland needing drainage will be identified and a study of the correlation between salt concentration and soil types will be completed. Onfarm irrigation efficiencies will be confirmed and water and salt budgets completed. SAN JUAN RIVER BASIN - COLORADO & NEW MEXICO A review of data available for the San Juan River major sources of irrigation-induced salt loading. the McElmo Creek and the Navajo Indian Irrigation Basin indicated two This study excluded Project areas. The Mancos Valley in Colorado, with approximately 10,000 acres irrigated and the San Juan River Valley in New Mexico, with approximately 43,000 acres irrigated, are the major areas that should be studied. Water quality samples are being collected in the Mancos Valley by the Colorado Soil Conservation Board as a part of their 208 planning. This data will provide the necessary base line data for a study in that area. Of the 43,000 acres of irrigated land in New Mexico, 12,800 acres are located within the Navajo Indian Reservation and 3,900 acres are contained in the Hammond Irrigation Project. All the remaining areas were developed by private groups. Very little water quality or diversion records exist for the irrigated land in New Mexico. The WPRS collected samples for one year from new drains located within the Hammond Project Area. Before a detailed study is made in the area a monitoring program should be undertaken to provide basic information needed to construct water and salt budgets for the area. A review of the area has been scheduled in October 1980 by the Colorado and New Mexico SCS staffs. After this review, recommendations as to what should be done by each State will be made. The SCS staff in Colorado has been assigned overall leadership for this study.