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Lower Virgin River '(Reclamation). This study area is along the Lower Virgin River in northeastern Clark County, Nevada, and northwestern Mohave County, Arizona, and ~ includes natural saline ground water averaging 2,400 to (.Jl 3,400 mg/l along the Virgin River between the town of U) Riverside and Lake Mead. n.. ~, Early studies of this unit did not offer a cost effective means of salinity control. A proposed 1,000 MW powerplant located in the general area may require a water supply of 14,000 acre-feet per year for cooling purposes. In January 1984, Reclamation reinitiated the study to determine if a dual purpose water supply and salinity control project would be feasible. The powerplant is scheduled for startup in 1996. Moapa Valley (USDA)., The project covers a 5,OOO-acre irrigated area on Muddy River upstream of Lake Mead. The project would include installation of 17 miles of underground piped delivery system, on farm water management, and' salinity control practices. By reducing over irrigation and excessive deep percolation, the average annual salt load is expected to be reduced by 1~,500 tons. SCS published its report on Moapa Valley in February 1981. Other Units Under Consideration. not Currently in Plan Sinbad Valley (BLM and Reclamation). Sinbad Valley is in western Colorado, south of the town of Gateway, Seeps, which contribute to Salt Creek which drains Sinbad Valley have been idfntified as a point sources of saline ground water contributing an ~stimated 5,000 to 8,000 tons per year of salts to the Colorado River system. The BLM initiated a feasibility study of the interception and disposal of these saline waters during fisral year 19H2 and prepared a report on Sinbad Valley in April 19H3, This report idenfified six alternatives and recommended that lead responsibility and funding be assumed b~- Reclamation. Before final selection can be made additional information is needed, The additional information includes; discharge and conductivity measurements to definp salt loads of high flows, onsite evaporation data to further refine the sizing of evaporation ponds for an evaporation alternative, and data on the abandoned wildcat well, No.1, Sinbad Unit, for suitability for deep well injection of the collec~ed brines. In addition to the technical issues, questions relating to water rights and compatibility of the project with existing land uses must be resolved. Mancos Valley (USDA). The report on this 9,200 acre irrigated area along the Mancos River in southwestern Colorado was completed in 1985. The recommended implementation plan includes 3,200 acres of sprinkler systems and other water management/salinity control treatment on about 5,500 total acres. About 17 miles of -37-