WSP04218 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

:;0 '.;) c...:> ~ -, would be able to return to the river without adding to the salt load from deep percolation of this water. (:,) On-farm improvements are being studied and recommended by the Soil Conservation Service based on their inventory of farms in the valley. A possibility of developing a system of man-made dTains to divert naturally saline flows from their path to the river is now under inves- tigation. From this "collector system," coupled with Water Systems Improvement, IMS, and on-farm improvements, drastic reductions would be expected in the salinity contribution of the Grand Valley to the Colorado River. As background research for these improvements, ground water is being studied through the drilling of observation wells and the careful analysis of the Reed Wash Study Area. Once the flow characteristics of the valley drainage system is understood, firm plans on the mode of development will be made. The Bureau of Reclamation, with the assistance of the Soil Con- servation Service, is currently proceeding with preparation of the Draft Environmental Statement and the Definite Plan Report. Both docu- ments are essential for the final approval of the Grand Valley Improve- ment Project. In conjunction with the systems and water research pre- viously mentioned, a flora and fauna study of the valley has been con- tracted with Ecology Consultants of Fort Collins, Colorado, in order to accurately. identify potential impacts of project consturciton on the natural environment. The planning process will continue to develop as cooperating agen- cies submit their findings and recommendations to the Bureau of Recla- mation staff. Following is a brief description of the slides presented by the Bureau to illustrate the work currently being undertaken by the Bureau staff. The Grand Valley Diversion Dam, located eight miles northeast of Palisade, Colorado, controls water in the Colorado River and, through a diversion on the north side of the river, supplies water to 'the Gov- ernment Highline Canal and thence to the Orchard Mesa Canal System. Developed by the Bureau of Reclamation in the early 1900's, the dam represents the starting place for irrigation systems in the Grand Valley. In conjunction with the Bureau~ Grand Valley Project, improvements have been made on various irrigation systems in the valley, including the original irrigation system in the valley--the Grand Valley Canal System which was constructed in 1883. The Government Highline Canal and the Grand Valley Canal, along with the Mesa County Irrigation District and the Palisade Irrigation District, serve the lands north of the Colorado River, and the Orchard Mesa Canals and the Redlands Canal serve lands south of the river. All of these water delivery systems are considered as part of the Grand Valley Improvement Project.