WSP04272

• File Number: 8277.600.10
• Description: Big Sandy River Unit - Colorado River Salinity Control Program
• State: WY
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 3/1/1989
• Title: Planning Report Concluding the Study on Big Sandy River Unit - Wyoming
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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SUMMARY (Continued)

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U.S. Geological Survey gauging station at Gasson Bridge and a
network of water quality sampling stations along the river and
its tributaries. Between 1975,and 1978, over 100 wells were
drilled in the area to gather information concerning the aquifers
and potential recharge areas. During 1982 an additional 47 wells
were drilled in the Big Bend and Bone Draw areas of the Big Sandy
River as part of the continuing investigations of aquifer
characteristics in that area.

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On concluding the study, 140 of these wells were plugged and the
sites rehabilitated. Seven wells were transferred to the Soil
Conservation Service for use in implementing their salinity
control program and one well was transferred to the Bureau of
Land Management.

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Plan Formulation Activities

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Team planning for the Big Sandy River Unit began in 1981. The
public was involved in the study primarily through planning team
activities. In addition, three public meetings, including an
environmental scoping meeting, were conducted which provided an
additional opportunity for exchange of ideas and viewpoints on
the unit. At the environmental scoping meeting in August 1982,
significant environmental concerns were identified.

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Plan Formulation Concepts

Evaluating conceptual methods of salinity control was the first
step in formulating alternative plans. Collection, desalting,
conveyance, beneficial use, and disposal were identified as
possible project components for controlling the saline flows
entering the Colorado River from the Big Sandy River Unit.

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Collection methods identified included surface collection such as
levee or small impoundments, catchments, alluvial wells,
diversion of the Big Sandy River, or large impoundments. Levees
or small impoundments would be constructed along the riverbank to
intercept the saline seeps and prevent the saline water from
entering the river. Catchments would be made by collecting brine
in a perforated pipe which is placed in the riverbed to collect
saline seeps emerging in the channel. Alluvial wells would be
placed either along the riverbank or approximately 1 mile from
the riverbank to collect ground-water flows, or near the
irrigated area to collect ground water before it could flow
through the mineralized formation and dissolve a large amount of

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