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<br />!-" <br />W <br />-..1 <br />cn <br /> <br />utility of using evapo-transpiration equation <br />data for irrigation scheduling. . <br /> <br /> <br />Program Status <br /> <br />This section briefly describes 1991 salinity <br />control activities. <br /> <br />Big Sandy River Unit, Wyoming <br /> <br />The Big Sandy River Unit is located in <br />southwestern Wyoming. USDA identified a <br />cost-effective onfarm program to remove <br />52,900 tons of salt from the Colorado River <br />system that primarily focuses on converting <br />surface flood irrigation to low-pressure sprinkler <br />systems. Reclamation did not identify a <br />cost-effective off-farm salinity control program. <br /> <br />USDA <br /> <br />Funding has been allocated for salinity control <br />contracts in the Big Sandy River Unit since <br />1988. USDA provides technical and financial <br />assistance to land users in preparing and <br />implementing salinity control plans. To date, <br />28 salinity control contracts have been signed, <br />and participants have installed 26 low-pressure <br />sprinkler irrigation systems on 2,227 acres and <br />improved a 40-acre surface irrigation system for <br />salinity control. Salt loading'has been reduced <br />by approximately 9,000 tons per year to date. <br /> <br />Six tours were held in the project area during <br />1991, including a multi-agency biology tour to <br />evaluate the installed and planned voluntary <br />wildlife habitat replacement practices. The <br />other tours allowed participants to observe <br />operating sprinkler systems, wildlife habitat <br />replacement practices, economic development, <br />and electrical power problems. Tour <br />participants included local residents, county <br />commissioners, the Wyoming Water <br />Development Association, State Economic <br />Development Board, State Engineers Office, <br />Forum Work Group, and legislative and <br />congressional staffers. <br /> <br />In other activities, the Cooperative Extension <br />Service installed a data logging weather station <br />that will be used to demonstrate to irrigators the <br /> <br />McElmo Creek Unit-Dolores <br />Project, Colorado <br /> <br />The McElmo Creek Basin is located in south- <br />western Colorado and covers about 720 square <br />miles. Early studies in the area showed that <br />salt loading results from irrigation and diffuse <br />sources, with irrigation as the main contributor. <br />Reclamation and USDA have identified <br />cost-effective programs to reduce salt-loading <br />from the area by 61,000 tons per year. <br /> <br />Reclamation <br /> <br />The McElmo Creek Unit was authorized for <br />construction by Public Law 98-596 in <br />October 1984 as part of the Dolores Project. <br />Project goals include controlling seepage from <br />the Towaoc-Highline Canal and the Rocky Ford, <br />Lone Pine, and Upper Hennana laterals. <br />Reach 1 of the Towaoc Canal became operational <br />for the 1991 irrigation season. Construction of <br />Reach 2 is scheduled to be complete by <br />January 1993. <br /> <br />USDA <br /> <br />Funding has been allocated for salinity control <br />contracts in this area since 1990. To date, <br />38 contracts have been signed with participants, <br />and installation of salinity reduction practices is <br />well underway. Twenty-three sprinkler systems <br />and 15 miles of underground pipelines and gated <br />pipe have been installed. To date, salt loading <br />has been reduced by approximately 2,300 tons <br />per year. <br /> <br />A full-time wildlife biologist is assisting with <br />planning and application of wildlife habitat <br />replacement practices and implementation of the <br />associated evaluation and monitoring systems. <br /> <br />11 <br />