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':) .. Colorado State University has been involved in salinity control programs in the project area depicted in Figure 1 since 1968 when it studied the large canal linings as a salinity control measure. Since then, CSU has had projects studying the effects of field drainage and irrigation scheduling on salt load reduction. We will complete our field data collection by next October and will complete all of our reports in 16 months, thereby completing our salinity research efforts in the Grand Valley. -. . .. CD ~-! c.::..-' Agricultural Research Service The Agricultural research Service is the principal research agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In Colorado, ARS conducts its research in close cooperation with Colorado State University and other federal and state agencies. ARS began to investigate the effect of irrigation practices on amount of salt returned to the Colorado River in 1973. The first study was located on the farm of E. L. Barbee, 2051 n. Rd. to verify that light, frequent applications of irrigation water can reduce movement of water and salt into the groundwater system without decreasing crop yields or causing salt buildup in the surface soils. A self-propelled, center- pivot sprinkler system is used to apply irrigation water. The study site is well instrumented to measure irrigation applications, rainfall, water use by the crop, soil salinity and quantity and quality of deep percolation. Water losses from the Government Highline Canal and laterals have been measured to determine the contribution of seepage to groundwater flow, and to estimate possible benefits from canal lining. Furrow irrigated fields, on several typical Grand Valley soils, are being studied to determine amount and quality of deep percolating waters and the effect of the percolation on Colorado River quality. Variations in soil intake rates throughout the season are measured as well as salt and sediment content and amount of runoff water. Design of more efficient irrigation systems will result from these studies. Groundwater is an important agent in dissolving and transporting salts from the subsoils and shales in the Grand Valley. ARS has mapped the geology of the Little Salt Wash drainage as it affects groundwater flow. We are studying groundwater chemistry to learn where salts are dissolved and precipitated and to see if certain natural chemical elements can be used to trace groundwater flow paths. Hydraulic connections between ground- water and the river are being identified. Results of these studies may indicate new possibilities for groundwater management, such as intercepting highly saline flows and desalting or otherwise disposing of them to reduce Colorado River salt loading. . The Colorado Water Conservation Board In 1968 The Colorado Water Conservation Board began by organizing the ditch companies in the Grand Valley Water Purification project. Canals and laterals in an area just west of Clifton were lined and the salt abatement studies were done by the Colorado State University. Authorization of the Grand Valley Salinity Control project was a direct result of the work done by C.S.U., E.P.A. and the purification project.