WSP04816

• File Number: 8273.800.10
• Description: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control - Federal Agencies - Joint Reports
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 1/1/1992
• Title: 1991 Joint Evaluation of Salinity Control Programs in the Colorado River Basin
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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the salinity reduction benefits over conventional
systems. Also, liquid fertilizer has been added
through the surge valves. As a result, increased
yields and less deep percolation losses of nitrate
nitrogen have been observed.

In other activities, the popular and informative
monthly newsletter, The Waterline, continues to
be published in the Grand Valley. USDA
agencies in the Grand Valley hosted a total of
11 tours and public field days.

BLM

Efforts are underway to complete similar work
already undertaken at Indian Wash drainage
for those drainages west to the Utah State line.
Objectives include improving grazing
management practices, increasing vegetative
cover, decreasing soil losses, and installing
structures, where needed, to control flows and
stop soil erosion.

Las Vegas Wash Unit, Nevada

Las Vegas Wash is a natural drainage channel
that provides the only surface water outlet for
the 2,000-square-mile Las Vegas Valley. A
drainage area ofl,586 square miles directly
contributes to the wash, which conveys storm
runoff and wastewater to Las Vegas Bay, an arm
of Lake Mead.

Reclamation

Reclamation continued quarterly monitoring of
salinity at 15 sites in the Wash in 1991. Results
of the salinity analyses indicated that TDS
concentrations continue to decrease, but total
salt volume is increasing due to increased water
flow. The unit prevents 3,800 tons of salt per
year from reaching the Colorado River.

Lower Gunnison Basin Unit,
Colorado

The Lower Gunnison Basin Unit is located in
west-central Colorado in Delta and Montrose
Counties. The objective of the unit is to reduce

salt loading by 354,500 tons per year in the
Uncompahgre, Gunnison, and Colorado Rivers.

Reclamation

Part of Reclamation's plan of development
provides for replacing winter livestock water in
the Uncompahgre Project system with delivery
through rural domestic systems. Construction of
this portion of the unit is proceeding ahead of
schedule and under budget. Phase 1 of 5 has
been completed, and work on Phase 2 is well
underway.

Another part of the plan provides for lining
canals and laterals on the east side ofthe
Uncompahgre Valley. Studies continue on ways
to reduce the cost of the lining program through
construction cooperative agreements,
cost-sharing, and redesign ofthe delivery system
to reduce canal and lateral lengths.

USDA

Program implementation in the Lower Gunnison
Basin subarea 1 began in 1988. Since then,
funds have been allocated to the other subareas,
and implementation is now underway in the
entire Lower Gunnison Basin.

At the end offiscal year 1991, 94 salinity control
contracts had been signed and 34 miles of
underground pipelines, ditch lining, and gated
pipe had been installed. Land leveling is
continuing, and sprinkler and surge irrigation
systems are being installed. Salt loading has
been reduced by 11,000 tons per year. All
13 new contracts in Montrose County contain
wildlife habitat replacement practices.

Two public field days were held during the year.
Demonstration sites have been established to
collect data on the suitability and performance of
surge irrigation systems, micro-sprinklers, and
subsurface irrigation. These sites are also used
for educational purposes with small groups.

An agreement has been signed with Reclamation
authorizing the Cooperative Extension to
initiate a surge irrigation demonstration project
in the Lower Gunnison project area. Recla-
mation is funding this 2-year agreement,

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