WSP04095

• File Number: 8270.100
• Description: Colorado River Basin Water Quality/Salinity -- Misc Water Quality
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 1/1/1987
• Author: USDOI
• Title: Quality of Water - Colorado River Basin - Progress Report No. 13 - January 1987
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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The state of wyoming has been involved in the study from the
beginning and has provided information, guidance, and funds. It has also
supported further funding for advance planning studies.

Planning investigations have been ongoing since October 1980. The
first recommended plan, the Chevron-Texasgulf Alternative, proved to be
nonviable. Both the Chevron Chemical Company fertilizer plant and the
Texasgulf Trona Plant near Green River did not experience expected growth.
The next two alternatives involved piping saline water to Divide Basin for
evaporation or piping it to the Jim Bridger Powerplant for cooling. The
Divide Basin alternative was rejected and the Jim Bridger Powerplant and
Chevron-Texasgulf alternatives were studied further. They were both
determined to be uneconomical.

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Additional studies were undertaken in the off-farm portion of the
irrigated area of the Eden Project. studies showed that lining some currently
unlined canals in the Eden Project area could be a cost-effective solution to
reducing salt in the Big Sandy River. The SCS completed a separate on-farm
salinity control draft report in early calendar year 1986. The report
recommends converting the existing gravity irrigation systems to low-head
sprinkler irrigation systems. A combination of a lined delivery system and an
on-farm sprinkler irrigation system could possibly achieve maximum benefits.

Ongoing studies are focused on the selective lining alternative.
Field verification of canal seepage rates was completed in the fall of 1986.
Results will help determine the cost effectiveness and will be documented in
a plan formulation working document in early 1987. The State of wyoming has
been involved in the study from the beginning and has provided information,
guidance, and funds. It has also supported further funding for advance
planning activities.

A low pressure sprinkler system alternative appears to be cost
effective for the 15,000 acre irrigation salt source area if supplemental, low
interest loans and cost sharing at the 70 percent level were obtained. The
State of wyoming supports this USDA low pressure sprinkler alternative and has
requested SCS to proceed with development of a selected plan.

The State of wyoming has also requested Reclamation to refine the
salt and water budget related to selected lining of canals and laterals in the
Eden-Farson area. Planning will be targeted toward selected lining of unlined
segments of the canal and lateral system.

The combination of an off-farm delivery system and on-farm
irrigation efficiency allows SCS to recommend low pressure sprinkler systems
for on-farm salinity program elements.

2. Blue Springs Unit (Reclamation)

The Blue Springs Unit area is located on the Little Colorado River
within the Navajo Indian Reservation in north-central Arizona. The springs
contribute an average of 160,000 acre-feet per year which have a collective
salinity of 2,500 mgIL and a total salt load of about 550,000 tons per year.

The lower portion of the d ver flows through a meandedng canyon of
about a mile in width and a half mile in depth. The walls of this rugged
gorge are a series of nearly vertical cliffs of massive limestone and

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