WSP04498

• File Number: 8276.120
• Description: Grand Valley Unit-Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 6/1/1983
• Title: Supplement To Definite Plan Report: Stage Two Development Grand Valley Unit
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Definite Plan Report

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CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Location

The Grand Valley Unit of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control

Project is located along the Colorado River in western Mesa County in

west-central Colorado.

The unit area includes, for the most part, the

entire irrigated portion of the Grand Valley consisting of approximately

71,000 acres and involving more than 200 miles of canals and about 500

miles of laterals. The city of Grand Junction, located at the confluence

of the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers in the central part of the valley, is

the largest Colorado community west of the Continental Divide and serves

as the business and economic center of western Colorado. Other communi-

ties in the valley are Palisade and Clifton to the east of Grand Junction

and Fruita, Lorna, and Mack to the west.

Background and Authorization

The Grand Valley Unit was authorized for construction by the

Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-320) as

part of a basinwide program of works for the enhancement and protection

of the quality of water available in the Colorado River for use in the

United States and the Republic of Mexico. Title I of the Act which was

directed toward controlling the salinity of river water below Imperial

Dam for use in the United States and Mexico, authorized the construction

of a desalting complex and other measures to ensure acceptable salinity

levels.

Title II, which was directed toward salinity control in the

United States above Imperial Dam, authorized the construction of the